Many people aren’t familiar with batteries until they start doing research on solar panels in Arkansas. While it’s not a requirement to have a battery integrated with your system, it provides several benefits for the right situation. The price of solar panels in Arkansas has decreased in recent years, so the price of batteries could as well. Here’s some valuable information you should know about battery storage for solar power.
What Exactly Does A Solar Battery Do?
Let’s start by discussing what a battery for your home does. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you’re using, any of the extra electricity can be stored in the battery for use later. So when it’s dark outside, when you’ve had a long stretch of cloudy days, or if you’re experiencing a power outage, your battery storage can help keep the lights on for a few more hours. It’s a great way to maximize your clean energy use without relying on the grid as much when the sun goes down.
What Is The Current Cost For Battery Storage?
It doesn’t take much research to figure out battery storage isn’t cheap. Prices can vary based on the models, storage capacity, and many other factors. However, the average cost you can expect to spend is between $8,000-$14,000. The good news is solar batteries qualify for the 26% federal tax credit, just like solar panels in Arkansas do. There’s no clear indication whether solar batteries will decrease in price or by how much, but trends indicate the price should slowly creep down in the coming years so they will become more affordable.
Factors That Contribute To The Cost Of Solar Batteries
So how can you tell exactly how much solar batteries will cost for your home or business? Speaking to your customer service agent with your solar installation company can provide some clarity, but some of the main factors include:
- The number of batteries you need
- The manufacturer
- The composition of the solar battery
- Whether a sub-panel is required
- Labor costs
You can save money on labor by having a solar battery installed at the same time as your solar panels. However, you can sort through the other factors by speaking with your customer service agent to determine exactly what you need so you don’t spend more money than what is required to power your home or business.
Are Solar Batteries Necessary?
It’s becoming more common for people to install batteries with their solar panels in Arkansas. But this doesn’t mean they are becoming more necessary. Every home, business, and situation is unique, so it’s important to explore all options to ensure you make the right decision. For example, if your area experiences power outages often, you might be a good candidate for a solar battery so you can ensure you’re not in the dark for long. Or if you simply want to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, then a solar battery is valuable since you won’t have to rely on the grid as much.
A reason why people opt to not install a solar battery is if they want to save money on their monthly utility bills. This is especially true in Arkansas where net metering is offered, so you can receive credits for any extra electricity your solar panels produce. Weigh the pros and cons of a solar battery to ensure the cost is worth it to you.
As you can see, multiple factors need to be considered to determine whether a solar battery is right for you. And if you’re not comfortable making a decision right away, then chances are solar batteries will become more affordable in the future as they become even more popular.
Work with a solar expert like Seal Solar to ensure you have all bases covered when installing solar panels in Arkansas. We will help you with every aspect of the installation so contact us today to start the process.
