The straightforward answer is no; they do not function at night. The most common misconception about solar panels operating at night is that they are connected to a battery and use this backup power during the dark hours.
This post will explain how net metering and backup energy make solar panels a good investment to power your home at night.
At what time do solar panels generate energy?
Solar panels don’t function at maximum efficiency during overcast weather. When there is no sunlight to absorb, they can’t produce energy. Solar panels’ photovoltaic (PV) cells need sunshine to function; they work during daylight hours and even at sunset to guarantee you have enough power. Once the sun has set, you can use any extra energy your system created throughout the day, which is stored in a solar battery. If you don’t store power, you can use your solar credits from net metering to get electricity during the night. Let’s look a little bit further into both of these choices.
Solar battery for night energy usage
Solar batteries let you use electricity at night when your solar panel energy production is down. Solar panels become a viable long-term energy solution twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to backup power.
If you have a battery, your solar panels will fill it with any extra solar energy that your home isn’t using for real-time electrical needs. So, rather than sending excess power to the grid, you may keep it and use it on a cloudy day or at night.
Solar batteries can store energy for you, allowing you to use it whenever it is most advantageous for your household. This means that you may utilize solar battery storage before drawing power from the grid. In addition, solar batteries allow you to use stored energy more than just during nighttime hours. For example, if there is ever a power outage (due to extreme weather, for example), you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have enough energy on hand to get you through the situation.
Net metering for night energy usage
Many utility companies provide net metering programs. Net metering is similar to a savings account in that any extra energy you don’t use to power your home will be added to the grid. In exchange, your retail electric provider (REP) will refund you or provide solar credits.
At night, you may utilize the energy credits you’ve accumulated throughout the day as your solar panels have been working hard. The majority of solar system owners have a large number of credits that they frequently rely on when required.
Furthermore, net metering is a two-way connection that allows electricity to flow in both directions between your home and the grid. As a result, when your panels generate more energy than you consume during the day, it flows into the grid. At night, when your solar panels produce no electricity, energy from the grid will flow into your home.
A grid connection is a type of solar energy storage that is shared by the neighborhood. However, it isn’t accessible everywhere. Before making long-term decisions, such as investing in a solar panel system or battery storage solution, you should familiarize yourself with your region’s net metering regulations.
Net metering and battery storage used together
Most solar panel owners will connect their system to the grid to take advantage of net metering perks. People are also increasingly using batteries to store power for later use. However, these two options aren’t mutually exclusive; they may be used together! Fortunately, you may set your battery to only use electricity from the grid after it has completely run out. You may also set them to work simultaneously if you want. This enables you to minimize your power bill while still ensuring your energy security.
Contact Panel Upgrade Experts for solar panel installation in Calgary
Be sure your home has the best solar panel system possible. If you’re ready to switch to solar energy, give us a call today. Call us at 403-774-7460 or send us an inquiry using our contact page so one of our solar experts can get in touch with you!