Solar Energy Storage Technologies
Even the best solar power plants have a major limitation: the solar panels. The sun can only be used to generate electricity when it is shining on the solar panels. During peak electricity demand, which is usually in the afternoon, the sunlight is less intense. To avoid problems with the supply and demand of solar electricity, it needs to be stored, but where is this energy stored? In this article, you will read everything you need to know about solar energy storage technologies.
Benefits of Solar Energy Storage
Storing excess solar energy is essential to getting the most out of any solar panel system, saving costs, making power grids more efficient, and reducing fossil fuel emissions. In general, solar energy storage has four main benefits.
1. Balancing electrical loads
If electricity is not stored, it must be used the moment it is generated. Storing this energy allows you to keep the excess energy produced for later use. As far as renewable energy is concerned, storing excess energy allows the lights to stay on when the sun goes down. In simple terms, solar energy storage keeps the reservoir of this energy charged until production is high and demand is low. After production decreases and demand increases, there is a source to supply the energy needed by a building or structure.
2. Providing energy in times of emergency
Storing the energy produced by solar panels and cells ensures that the energy flow is always constant. In this way, if the generators or the power grid are temporarily disrupted due to events such as passing clouds or routine maintenance, the electricity needed by the residential or commercial unit will be provided. This is especially important in commercial or industrial units that must have their devices turned on at all times.
3. Reduce your carbon footprint
Saving solar energy can reduce your building’s carbon footprint by giving you more control over the amount of energy you use. Large solar panels can also be used to help charge electric cars and turn any device in your home into a solar device.
4. Save money
Saving solar energy can also help reduce your energy costs. Excess energy produced by solar panels is stored in batteries to be used when needed. This will play a significant role in reducing the cost of your electricity bill.
How is solar energy stored?
Solar energy can be stored using solar, thermal, and mechanical storage methods. Below, you will learn about each of these methods.
Solar batteries
A battery is the most common means of storing solar energy in residential buildings. When solar energy is sent to the battery, a chemical reaction occurs between the battery components and the energy is stored in it. Lithium-ion batteries are mostly used in solar power plants, and the technology of solar energy storage batteries in batteries is rapidly advancing.
Thermal batteries
Thermal batteries use various conductors, such as water or molten salt, to absorb and retain the heat of the sun. These heated conductors are placed in an insulated tank so that they can be used when the energy is needed.
Mechanical batteries
A mechanical battery uses the energy stored in an object to generate electricity. In mechanical solar energy storage technologies, the excess energy produced is converted into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electricity for later use.
Currently, advanced technologies are used to store solar energy in various batteries. These technologies, such as battery storage software, analyze the passive electrical load generated by solar systems and predict the cost of these systems. Ultimately, they design smart batteries based on customer preferences and offer them in a practical and simple way.
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