(BPT) - When you think of solar power for your home, you likely picture the rows of gleaming panels lining your roof. However, before you begin selecting and installing solar, there is an important first step you cannot skip: purchasing a home backup battery.
There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about backup batteries, but the truth is that starting with solar and then purchasing a battery holds you back from true energy independence. Read on to discover the five biggest backup battery myths and why procuring one for your home is the first step toward harnessing solar power regardless of rain, shine, heatwave, hurricane, tropical storm or snow.
Myth 1: Solar panels give me 24/7 energy independence
Reality: Solar panels alone can't power your home overnight or during storms that can take out the grid and sunlight. That's because solar panels can't store the power produced by the sun.
Traditional grid-tied solar-powered systems capture and send power to your home's electrical system for use. Without a battery, any excess solar power flows from your home to the grid. So, what happens when the grid shuts down or there's a storm? You're still left without power.
Think of it this way: Your solar panels are the engine that creates the power needed to run your home. Your battery is the gas tank that stores energy for later, so you can use it when you need it. Without a battery, you can't store or use your own energy during a storm, an extended outage or overnight.
Myth 2: I can just buy solar panels and sell excess power back to the grid
Reality: The days of relying on utility companies to buy back your extra daytime solar power at top dollar are rapidly coming to an end. California kicked off the nationwide shift when it overhauled its net-metering policies, drastically cutting the rate utilities pay homeowners for pushing excess solar back to the grid. Almost overnight, new solar-only installs lost their biggest financial perk so homeowners started adding battery storage to capture that free daytime energy and use it themselves when rates spike at night or when outages hit. Today, a home battery is the default foundation required to actually get the full benefits of solar energy.
Bonus: Home backup means beating Time-of-Use (TOU) rate spikes. With or without solar, a home backup battery lets you take advantage of daily smart energy management. You can charge your battery from the wall when grid electricity is cheapest, then run your home on that stored battery power during expensive peak afternoon and evening hours. It's an instant way to lower your electric bill.
Myth 3: I have to buy solar panels before buying a battery
Reality: You can and should install battery storage first. That way, when you eventually purchase and install your solar panels, you'll be ready to store and use energy from the get-go.
Also, a home battery can serve as a stand-alone backup system without solar if needed, providing energy day or night, storm or no storm. For example, Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plushome backup battery can recharge from multiple sources, including high-voltage solar and traditional AC power.
That flexibility is what makes battery backup such a strong starting point. They're always ready, providing stored power when the grid goes down or when electricity is most expensive, whether or not you have solar panels.
Myth 4: Installing a backup battery is difficult
Reality: Many modern backup batteries, like portable power stations, don't require installation, and are designed for plug-and-play operation, though some have the option to be easily connected to your home's circuits via a transfer switch, the process of which is less expensive and more straight forward compared to permanently installed, grid-tied home backup. This versatility in home backup options means whether you own your home or rent an apartment, backup power for all your essentials like the refrigerator, lights, WiFi, home office and more is within reach. And you won't need an electrician or permits to start, if ever.
Jackery makes it simple to make battery backup a part of any home, with or without solar already installed. Both the Solar Generator 5000 Plus and the HomePower 3600 Plus can be used as-is by plugging appliances and electronics directly to them. They even feature built-in wheels and a pull handle, allowing you to move power from room to room.
Bonus: You can connect these backup batteries/portable power stations to your home's electrical circuit by having an electrician install a transfer switch. The Solar Generator 5000 Plus pairs with the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch to provide automatic home coverage and seamless backup when you need it most and the HomePower 3600 Plus also connects home circuits via a manual transfer switch. These provide multi-room coverage without the need to install a permanent generator so the system can move with you. And while they are modular for tailored scalability, the base units still work as standalone portable power stations for ultimate flexibility.
Myth 5: Batteries have a short lifespan
Reality: Home batteries have come a long way. Today's models can be used for over a decade depending on use. For example, the Solar Generator 5000 Plus has over an 11-year battery lifespan, while the HomePower 3600 Plus is rated for over 16 years. Jackery supports these solutions with multiyear warranties, so you can rest easy knowing you're covered.
Battery storage should be the default, not an afterthought
To truly take advantage of solar power, you must be able to capture, store and use it on your own terms. To learn more about backup batteries and how they make solar power usable when you need it most, visit Jackery.com.
