Having a solar battery system can help mitigate the amount of electricity you would normally buy during peak hours. It can store the extra energy generated from your solar panels during the day for you to use at more expensive rate times. Peak TOU rates can be as much as double the off-peak rates
SRP Solar Battery Research Program Details
Right now, SRP is offering a Solar Battery Rebate of up to $3,600 ($300 per kWh DC). That means that the utility will literally help pay for you to have a solar plus storage system installed in your home. Opportunities like this don’t come along often, so if you have ever thought about energy storage for your home, now is the time.
Why would my home need a battery?
Great question. There are a few reasons why residential energy storage is picking up steam in the US.
1. Peak rate saving
- Batteries are important because they allow you to use solar electricity whenever you choose, and not just when the sun is shining.
- In Arizona, this is particularly important for Time of Use rate customers. In a TOU billing system, the customer is charged more for power used during peak times (usually late afternoon – early evening), in comparison to power used in off-peak times.
- Depending on the orientation of your solar system, the solar energy you produce may or may not coincide with the peak usage times.
- By pairing a solar system with energy storage, you allow yourself to save solar energy for use in peak times, thus maximizing your savings over conventional electricity rates. This is how solar customers in Arizona are able to get the most out of their net metering agreement with the utility.
2. Back up power
A home with a battery system will often be wired for backup power in the event of a grid outage. Typically, the battery won’t back up the entire house, just some critical loads like a refrigerator, internet router, and lighting.- This feature is becoming increasingly attractive in light of the rise in extreme weather events in the US. New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, California, and Puerto Rico have all experienced catastrophic weather events within the past 5 years that have left residents without power.
- Electricity is a vital resource in our modern world, and blackouts, as we’ve seen in the past, can be a very scary proposition.
- Not all energy storage systems will have both of the features above. The system needs to be designed with the specific needs of the customer in mind in order to ensure the maximum value. Orientation of the house, utility rate schedule, and need for backup power all need to be taken into account. When you’re ready to take advantage of the rebate, we can help find the perfect fit for your needs.
Why is SRP offering this rebate?
- Energy storage technologies are often touted as an immensely important piece of the puzzle when it comes to decarbonizing the electricity grid. However, the use of energy storage in residential environments is still a relatively new practice.
- With that in mind, SRP is conducting a Battery Research Study in order to better understand how customers use any storage, and what effect this has on the grid. In order to have subjects for the study, the utility is giving away these rebates to the first 4,500 customers to install batteries.
- The utility will install monitoring equipment within your electrical system in order to gather data.
- The study is designed to be non-invasive for the participants. It’s expected to last 2 years.
- This program is not directly tied to solar. The rebates will be available for customers with or without a solar system.
- This is one of the first programs of its kind in the country, and those who are able to take advantage of the offer will find themselves on the cutting edge of the clean energy revolution.
Where can I get more information?
- Consult with an energy storage expert to learn how you can make the best choice for your own home. There are a finite number of applications available, so the sooner you start the process, the better.
- SRP also has a great FAQ page on their website that details the program.
Find out more, contact PEP Solar today at (623) 806-8806.
Arizona and Texas
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