The demand for home battery backup systems is expected to increase annually by 20%. As extreme weather events become more frequent, incorporating an expandable battery backup system can provide the confidence you need to weather power outages. From choosing and sizing your batteries to installation, here are some basics about integrating a home backup battery system.
Stacking up peace of mind
Battery backup systems are versatile in meeting energy needs. They can store daytime energy for nighttime use with solar panels, ensure a seamless power flow during blackouts or provide backup power independent of solar panels.
Beyond backup power, battery storage systems can lower utility bills by storing energy during off-peak times and using it during peak times. They also allow participation in demand response programs, earning financial rewards while helping grid stability. Battery systems enhance net metering benefits by storing excess solar energy for later use, optimizing energy credits and consumption.
For complete energy independence, pairing a battery system with solar panels and a generator ensures a reliable power supply without relying on the grid. This setup is advantageous in remote areas or for avoiding grid uncertainties. Storing excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night ensures continuous clean energy supply, reducing grid reliance and optimizing renewable energy use.
Whether optimizing energy use, participating in incentive programs, or achieving complete self-sufficiency, battery storage systems offer a comprehensive solution for modern energy needs.
Battery charging fun fact
When the power goes down, did you know that battery storage systems are signaled by the utility grid going down and powering up within milliseconds? That means batteries are so quick that they don't give appliances or the TV time to power off; you will hardly know there is a power outage.
Location, weather and energy independence
Battery storage systems provide critical power during emergencies, ensuring essential services and communications remain operational when the grid is down. Heat waves have become more intense and frequent. With the increasing frequency of heat waves and wildfires, reliable backup power solutions that don't rely on fossil fuels are essential. Battery storage offers a cleaner alternative, reducing fire hazards and pollution.
U.S. natural gas prices continue to increase, and with this rise in prices, we could expect power prices to grow with it. As energy prices rise and grid instability becomes more common, having an independent energy source is crucial. Battery storage systems enable energy independence, reducing vulnerability to fluctuating prices and supply interruptions. Maintaining a stable power supply can be life-saving in areas prone to natural disasters. State incentives and the ability to stabilize the grid make battery storage systems vital for disaster preparedness and energy resilience, especially in regions like California facing unique challenges from wildfires and climate change-induced weather extremes.
These systems are essential to modern energy solutions, providing economic and environmental benefits while enhancing energy security and reliability.
How a home battery backup system works
A home battery backup system is designed to take grid or solar energy and store it for later use, providing a reliable backup power source during outages. Here's a breakdown of how it works:
Energy Generation
The primary energy source for a home storage system is typically renewable, such as solar panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power the home. Any excess energy generated that is not immediately needed is directed to the storage system.
Energy Storage
Excess electricity is stored in batteries for future use. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type used in these systems, and they are known for their high energy density, efficiency, and relatively long lifespan. The storage system can also be charged from the grid during low electricity rates, storing cheaper electricity for use during peak rate periods.
Energy Management
The energy management system (EMS) is a crucial component of the home battery backup system. This smart system monitors and controls the flow of electricity between the solar panels, the battery, the grid, and the home. The EMS optimizes stored energy, ensuring that the home uses the most cost-effective and efficient power source available at any given time. Energy management can be done with a hybrid inverter that can manage and optimize grid, solar and even a generator.
Backup Power
When the solar panels are not generating electricity, such as at night, on cloudy days or during a power outage, the stored energy in the battery is used to power the home. The inverter automatically switches to the battery to ensure a seamless power supply without interruption. This capability is particularly valuable during power outages, providing a continuous and reliable power source for critical appliances and systems. When the grid goes down, so do most solar systems - meaning unless you have a battery system or generator, you won’t have power during a grid outage, even during the day.
Net Metering
Along with providing backup power, home battery backup systems can interact with the grid in several beneficial ways. Under programs like Net Energy Metering (NEM), excess energy stored in the battery can be returned to the grid, allowing homeowners to earn credits on their energy bills. This provides financial savings and supports grid stability by supplying additional power during peak demand periods.
Home battery backup systems can interact with the grid in several beneficial ways
A battery backup system can interact with the grid in several ways and deliver benefits to your home’s energy, your energy bill, and the planet.
Peak shaving
Storing energy during off-peak hours, when electricity rates are lower, and discharging it during peak hours, when rates are higher, reduces the demand on the grid during peak times and can lower homeowners' energy costs.
Grid stabilization
Battery backup systems can provide ancillary services to the grid, helping stabilize it and preventing blackouts or brownouts.
Load shifting
Home energy storage can shift energy consumption to different times of the day, aligning with renewable energy production patterns. For example, solar energy generated during the day can be stored for use at night.
Renewable energy integration
By storing excess energy generated from renewable sources such as solar panels, these systems can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help smooth out the intermittency of renewable energy sources.
Reduced grid congestion
By decreasing the demand on the grid during peak times, battery backup systems can alleviate congestion on the electrical grid, potentially reducing the need for expensive grid upgrades and maintenance.
Support for decentralized energy
Home battery backup systems support a decentralized energy model, where energy production and consumption occur closer to the point of use. This reduces transmission losses and increases the efficiency of the overall energy system.
Considering solar? Here’s why you want to add a battery
If you're contemplating the installation of solar panels for your home, adding a battery storage system can significantly enhance the benefits and efficiency of your solar investment. Here are several compelling reasons why integrating a battery with your solar setup is a smart choice.
Enhanced renewable energy utilization
By storing surplus renewable energy, home battery backup systems can ensure that this energy is used rather than wasted, maximizing the use of clean energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the primary advantages of adding a battery storage system is maximizing energy utilization. Solar panels generate electricity when the sun is shining during the day, often producing more energy than your home needs. Without a battery, this excess energy is typically sent back to the grid, often at a lower rate than what you pay for electricity from the grid. With a battery storage system, you can store this surplus energy and use it later when the sun isn’t shining, maximizing the energy utilization your panels produce and increasing your overall energy independence.
Backup power
Home battery backup systems can provide backup power in a grid outage, enhancing homeowners' energy security and resilience. Battery storage systems also provide a crucial backup power source during outages. Power outages can happen unexpectedly due to severe weather, grid failures or other disruptions. A battery storage system ensures that you have a reliable backup power source during these times, keeping essential appliances and systems running smoothly. This can be crucial for maintaining home security, powering medical devices and ensuring operational communication systems.
Energy cost savings
Another significant benefit of integrating a battery with your solar panels is the potential for energy cost savings. Energy prices often vary throughout the day, with peak rates typically occurring in the evening when demand is highest. By storing solar energy in a battery, you can use this stored energy during peak rate times, reducing your reliance on expensive grid electricity. This practice, peak shaving, can significantly save energy bills over time.
Energy independence
Home battery backup systems can reduce reliance on the grid, particularly in areas with unreliable grid infrastructure or high electricity prices. Adding a battery storage system also enhances your energy independence. With a battery, you become less reliant on the grid. This increased self-sufficiency means you’re better protected against rising energy prices and potential grid instabilities. It also aligns with a sustainable lifestyle, as you can store and use more of the clean energy generated by your solar panels. Adding a generator can allow homes and businesses to go completely off-grid for total energy independence.
Demand response programs
Homeowners with battery backup systems can participate in demand response programs, reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to grid signals or financial incentives, helping to balance supply and demand. In many regions, including California, some attractive incentives and programs encourage the adoption of solar and battery systems. For example, Net Energy Metering (NEM) allows homeowners to earn credits for the excess energy they send back to the grid. Adding a battery allows you to manage your energy use more effectively, maximizing these incentives and contributing to grid stability by reducing peak demand pressure.
Combating climate change
Solar energy stored in a battery reduces the need for electricity generated from fossil fuels, lowering your carbon footprint. This contributes to a cleaner environment and supports broader efforts to combat climate change, and you are playing an active role in promoting sustainability.
Incorporating a battery storage system with your solar panels enhances the efficiency and reliability of your solar energy and offers financial, environmental, and practical benefits. If you’re considering solar, adding a battery is a strategic move that ensures you get the most out of your renewable energy system.
What equipment is necessary for a Battery Backup System?
Battery
A battery is a central component of a battery backup system, designed to provide reliable, silent power. LFP batteries are safe and can be installed indoors and outdoors, offering flexibility in placement, such as on walls, the ground, patios, balconies, basements, garages, or utility closets.
At the core of this system is the battery. Briggs & Stratton’s SimpliPHI 6.6 Battery is designed to provide silent, reliable power when needed. Batteries can be installed indoors or out—on a wall or the ground. In fact, you have many options on where to install your system, even if you don’t have a yard or live in a house. Systems can be installed on a patio, balcony, basement, garage, or even a utility closet.
Inverter
An inverter is essential to the system, converting the stored DC power from the battery into AC power for use in your home. It also includes an integrated automatic transfer switch (ATS) that monitors utility power and instantly switches to battery power during an outage, switching back when grid power resumes.
Hybrid inverters, like those made by Sol-Ark®, switch back to utility power when grid power resumes. The battery will recharge from the utility power once available. The inverter's kilowatt (kW) capacity determines how much power can be drawn at one time. If you want to power everything in your home, you'll need an inverter with higher capacity. A smaller inverter will work if you just want to provide backup power to some essentials in your home.
Monitoring Software
A monitoring app allows users to monitor the system and optimize energy performance, automate backup power for home or business, set time-of-use preferences, track energy use trends, and monitor the battery's health.
The MySolArk App allows users to optimize energy performance, automate home and business backup, program time-of-use settings and evaluate energy use trends.
Briggs & Stratton’s Energy Solutions' EnergyTrak™ gateway and mobile app monitor the health of your battery and allow for over-the-air (OTA) updates via the internet so you always have the latest features and upgrades to your battery system. In the event of a power outage, the EnergyTrak app also shows homeowners the remaining hours of power they have based on current energy usage.
How much home battery do you need?
It depends on what you want to keep running on backup. Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions has launched the first-of-its-kind stackable 6.6 battery series that addresses the varying levels of home battery backup. From powering up essentials in times of need to a whole home backup system, the battery storage packages are geared to be expandable and meet you where your energy needs are. Here are your options and what comes with each of the three simplified backup power package options using Sol-Ark.
Whole Home Package
The Whole Home Package powers your entire home, providing about 16.4 hours of backup power with a Sol-Ark® 15K Inverter and at least three SimpliPHI 6.6 Batteries. Each additional battery adds 5.4 hours of whole home power capacity.
Power Everything in Your Home
Starting Package
Sol-Ark® 15K Inverter - High-capacity inverter with integrated automatic transfer switch (ATS).
Three SimpliPHI 6.6 Batteries - Provides approximately 16.4 hours of backup power.
EnergyTrak Gateway & Battery App - Monitor battery health and receive updates.
MySolArk Inverter Monitoring App - Optimize energy performance and manage settings.
Key Features
Power Duration - 16.4 hours of whole home power.
Expandable - Add batteries for additional power.
Installation Flexibility - Indoors or outdoors, wall or ground mounted.
Zero Emissions - No exhaust during use.
Quiet Operation - Silent power solution.
This package is ideal for households looking for comprehensive coverage during outages, ensuring all appliances and systems remain operational.
Managed Power Package
The Managed Power Package extends coverage to select 240V equipment and appliances. It offers around 14.5 hours of power with a Sol-Ark® 12K Inverter and at least two SimpliPHI 6.6 Batteries.
Power for Select 240V Equipment and Appliances
Starting Package
Sol-Ark® 12K Inverter - Medium-capacity inverter with ATS.
Two SimpliPHI 6.6 Batteries provide approximately 14.5 hours of power.
EnergyTrak Gateway & Battery App - Monitor battery health and receive updates.
MySolArk Inverter Monitoring App - Optimize energy performance and manage settings.
Key Features
Power Duration - 14.5 hours of managed loads power.
Expandable - Add batteries for additional power.
Versatile Installation: Indoors or outdoors, wall or ground mounted.
Compact Design: Fits in small spaces.
This package suits homes needing backup power for critical appliances like HVAC systems, well pumps, and other essential 240V equipment.
Essential Power Package
The Essential Power Package covers basic 120V loads like power outlets, lights, fans, internet, phone chargers, TVs, and refrigerators. It provides approximately 10.8 hours of power with a starting package that includes a Sol-Ark® 8K Inverter and at least one SimpliPHI 6.6 Battery. Each additional battery adds 10.8 hours of backup power capacity.
Affordable, Compact Backup Power for Essential Needs
Starting Package
Sol-Ark® 8K Inverter - Efficient inverter with ATS.
One SimpliPHI 6.6 Battery - Provides approximately 10.8 hours of power.
EnergyTrak Gateway & Battery App: Monitor battery health and receive updates.
MySolArk Inverter Monitoring App: Optimize energy performance and manage settings.
Key Features
Power Duration - 10.8 hours of essential power.
Expandable - Add batteries for additional power.
Flexible Installation - Indoors or outdoors, wall or ground mounted.
Eco-friendly - Zero emissions during use.
This package is perfect for homeowners who want to keep essential devices like lights, refrigerators, and the internet running during an outage. It offers peace of mind at an affordable price.
Learn more about the power of instantly stackable battery options with SimpliPHI 6.6 Battery Packages.
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