What is Energy Storage?
Energy storage is the next step and level of true energy independence. Storage is coupled with your existing or new solar PV system to contain excess production or be charged from the utility at a more financially opportune time and use that energy when needed.
Like with solar, everyone’s energy profile will be different. The same goes for energy storage where there are
different motivating factors.
Off-Grid
Also coined micro-grid because you are in turn your own grid offering the fullest version of energy independence possible. Some will see the clear advantages to this right away but don’t forget this is full reliance on your system. Something goes wrong and instead of being the only house with the lights on during a blackout you find yourself as the only house with the lights off for who knows how long.
Not to worry, we have designed systems to function as off-grid using the utilities grid as your backup – what an ingenious idea! It is very important if you are considering this option for your home to find a qualified
installer such as Alltech Solar that will not only walk you through every step of the way but safeguard your system
regardless of application.
Backup Power
This is simply having that peace of mind that your family will be safe and comfortable during a blackout. Depending on how comfortable you wish to be during an outage will determine how large of a backup system you will require and in turn how expensive a system might become.
Home batteries allow you to keep your house running from several hours to several days due to system design. All of our systems are modular like your solar PV system so there is always the option to increase the size. The great thing about our battery systems is that it won’t matter what existing PV system you have as they will work with all through either AC or DC coupling methods.
Time-Of-Use Advantage
Some of you may already be on a Time-Of-Use (TOU) structure with your utility, perhaps you own an electric vehicle. What some might not know is that SDG&E plans to convert everyone to a TOU billing structure as soon as 2019!
This is the financial reason to get a home battery system. Strategically implementing your home battery system will allow you to charge at cheaper off peak times and discharge that energy when it is a costly on-peak time. The
current NET Metering advantages of solar start to diminish when TOU is implemented so by deploying an energy storage system your bills will be safe.
Alltech’s presence
We have already begun installing and working with difference San Diego jurisdictions with the implementation of storage products. We have approved installs in the San Diego County, City of San Diego, City of Poway, City of Solana Beach, and the City of Menifee. We work with top of the line products to offer the safest systems offering 10 year, 10,000 cycle manufacturer warranties. With safeguards in place not only so that our customers feel safe and comfortable but the cities we have worked with approve our designs and installations.
For example, we have completed an off-grid project in the City of Poway. The system is comprised of 40 LG 320 watt modules (12.8kW) along with 6 SimpliPhi 3.4kWh batteries. As this was a new construction house they opted for NO connection to SDG&E. Completely reliant on solar and batteries the customer trusted us to design a system to keep his house operational.
What does this mean for me?
Energy storage is the way of the future. It’s clean, renewable, sustainable, and financially beneficial just like your
solar PV system that most have benefitted from throughout the years. Talk about how energy storage might benefit you and your family. Include Alltech Solar in the discussion, our approach has always been to help inform our customers.
Energy storage incentives!
The Self-Generation Incentive Program, or SGIP, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the government to pay for your battery! SGIP covers 50 cents per Kilowatt hour, that’s a $5000 rebate for the average sized home battery! This is a limited time rebate as the fund is expected to exhaust quickly. As energy storage becomes more mainstream it is reasonable to believe there will be more government driven incentive programs.
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