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How solar batteries work
Batteries help store solar energy for later use. Here are the basics of how that works with a solar-plus-storage system:
- 1
- Solar panels generate electricity from the sun.
- 2
- This direct current (DC) electricity flows through an inverter to generate alternating current (AC) electricity.
- 3
- The AC electricity powers your home appliances.
- 4
- Extra electricity not used by your appliances charges your batteries.
- 5
- When the sun goes down, your appliances are powered by the stored energy in your battery.
If you go solar without a battery, any excess electricity you generate will go to the grid (and ideally, generate bill credits for you thanks to net metering!) Alternatively, with a battery add-on, you can store solar power onsite and increase self consumption, as well as access backup power in the event of a power outage.