How Does Solar Storage Work?

Technological innovations constantly improve the service solar customers receive. And developments in solar storage — like SunPower’s SunVault™ storage system — are just the latest designed to make life easier for homeowners.

Storage helps complete a typical household solar system, which uses solar panels to collect energy from the sun and turn it into electrical energy. An inverter then turns that energy into the right kind of current to power a home.

Many people think that most solar-powered homes are independent of the electrical grid. But actually, the majority work in partnership with the local utility. When solar panels produce more energy than a home needs – like on a bright, sunny day – the excess electricity gets fed back to the utility. And when the panels produce less – like on dark overcast days – a solar home pulls in the electricity it needs from the utility.

This arrangement greatly reduces – or even eliminates – electricity costs for solar homeowners and may allow them to benefit from net metering (where available).¹ But it also means solar homes can go dark in blackouts. These power shutoffs take place to ensure safety, protecting both the home’s electrical equipment and utility workers from unexpected bursts of electric current.

Storage helps offset a solar home’s reliance on the utility during the regular daily slowdowns in energy production as well as in emergency situations like blackouts. If your home’s panels produce more energy than you need on a normal day, the excess energy first charges the solar battery and then when that’s complete, goes to the utility. Later that day, when your panels stop producing energy until morning, you can draw on the stored energy from the battery to help supplement what you need from the utility.

In extraordinary situations like a blackout, your storage system can provide backup power to essential appliances and devices.² SunPower’s SunVault^TM Storage system comes in two parts – the SunVault battery and the Hub+™. The Hub+ supplies intelligent software that gives homeowners the option to control when and how all that stored solar energy is used.

A SunPower Equinox® home solar system with SunVault™ Storage is the only home solar and storage system designed by one company, so it can be managed easily. Its intelligent software maximizes the use of solar power each day to help you avoid spending money on peak-time energy charges. In a blackout, it can be programmed to power select appliances – like your most important lights, outlets to charge your devices or a freezer full of food.

The Equinox system with SunVault Storage is also covered by a single warranty: The SunPower Complete Confidence Warranty. And SunPower has created a strong dealer network with the know-how and SunPower equipment to tailor each home’s PV system for maximum efficiency. That network includes Master Dealers, a select group of installers with close ties to their communities.

For a limited time until July 31, 2021, homeowners can receive a rebate on SunPower’s solar + storage system. Pay cash for a qualified SunPower Equinox® solar system with SunVault™ Storage* and get a $750 rebate, finance your system with a SunPower loan and get a $1,250 rebate, or lease your system for a $1,500 rebate—all fulfilled with a VISA Reward Card.³ Start your journey towards energy independence by filling out this web form.

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¹ The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

² “Essential Appliances and Devices” are determined by the homeowner before installation and typically include lights, select appliances and outlets for devices. The battery storage system should not be relied upon as a power source for critical medical devices. The ability to power appliances and devices during an outage will vary depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the amount of energy stored in the battery, the amount of wattage used by the appliances and electronics connected to the battery storage system, the age of the battery, the battery’s ability to recharge during daylight hours due to weather, the frequency and duration of battery usage, and other factors. Battery life will decrease with time and use. 

³ Before rebate costs will vary, depending on system. Customer must sign SunPower solar purchase, lease or loan contract on or before 7/31/21. Check with your SunPower installation contractor to confirm participation with this offer. SunPower Equinox systems must be a minimum size of 2.8 kW with only the following modules to qualify: E-Series 327-WHT, X-Series 335/350-BLK, 360/370-WHT, or A-Series 400-BLK, 400/410/415/420-WHT. Rebates require either purchase (through cash or a SunPower loan product) or lease of a complete, eligible SunPower Equinox system with SunVault storage. To qualify: the $750 rebate requires the customer to pay for the system in full; the $1,250 rebate requires the customer to purchase system with a SunPower loan product; the $1,500 rebate requires the customer to lease the system. Customers who purchase a new home with existing solar installed and customers who purchase additional panels for a currently installed solar system are not eligible. Rebates may not be applied to quotes on existing proposals or past purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers. Rebate form at sunpowerrebate.com must be completed and submitted to SunPower with required documentation within 90 days from installation date. Use promo code: SummerSolar. Allow 8 weeks for processing. Late submissions or those submitted without proper documentation and signatures will be subject to delay or cancellation. Void where prohibited. Reward Card: SunPower Visa Reward Card issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Reward Card expires six months from the date of issuance. Reward Card is subject to The Bancorp Bank’s terms, restrictions, and conditions, available at: https://www.thebancorp.com/support/fisgift/terms/;. This Reward Card is not redeemable for cash. This promotion is not sponsored by or endorsed by The Bancorp Bank or Visa.

Original Source: https://us.sunpower.com/blog/2021/07/08/how-does-solar-storage-work