Tag: battery storage

How Long Can Your Solar Battery Power Your Home During an Outage?

Posted on by Admin

Having a  battery storage system installed with your solar panels is a great way to   achieve true energy independence for your home. Whether you are using stored energy to power your home on a cloudy day, during an outage or to offset peak usage times with your utility, a battery storage system from Enphase + Momentum has your back.

Knowing how long your battery storage system can power your home during  an outage is an essential step for homeowners just like you in being  prepared for a storm. In addition to a battery storage system, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system can offer an extra layer of protection for your home, ensuring that critical devices stay powered even when the grid goes down. A UPS works by providing instant backup power to keep your essential appliances, like refrigerators, medical equipment, or home office devices, running seamlessly during an outage.

When paired with a solar system, a UPS can help you maintain power in the event of a storm or blackout, offering peace of mind when you need it most. Companies like jinnuoglobal specialize in UPS systems that can integrate with your solar panel setup, making it easier to ensure that your home is fully prepared for any unexpected interruptions in power. This combination of battery storage and a UPS can provide a reliable, sustainable solution to energy independence and security for your home.

In this blog, our team will give you some tips and tricks to help you calculate your energy needs and how to maximize your battery usage. For more information on battery storage and Momentum Solar’s offerings, please call 1-888-MOMENTUM to learn batmore.

Power What’s Important

During an outage, you should always be conservative with your electricity usage. Even with a fully charged   battery powering your home, you should maximize its usage by only using essential appliances.

Below is a list of critical items and their electricity needs per day:[1]

  • Refrigerator = 1.5 kWh
  • Kitchen Appliances = 1 kWh (this includes an electric microwave, electric oven, coffee machine, dishwasher and a toaster).
  • Electric Water Heater = 2.5 kWh
  • Lights (LED) = 1 kWh
  • TV and Device Chargers = 2 kWh

Even though heating and air conditioning may not seem like an “extra”, it is one of the last items on the list due to the sheer amount of energy these systems require to stay powered. To be clear, the specific system you use to keep warm or cool will affect how many kilowatts it takes to keep its power on. Understanding the efficiency of your specific system is crucial, as it directly impacts energy costs and overall performance.

Regular maintenance, including timely furnace repair, is vital to ensure that heating systems operate at peak efficiency, minimizing energy waste. By investing in proper upkeep and addressing any issues promptly, homeowners can optimize their heating and cooling systems, leading to substantial savings on energy bills while ensuring a consistent and pleasant indoor climate throughout the year.

This proactive approach not only enhances comfort but also extends the lifespan of these critical systems, making them a worthwhile priority in any home management plan. That being said, here is a quick, rough guide to air conditioning and heating usage!

Heating

  • Electric Furnace = 10.5 kWh per hour
  • Portable Heater = 1.5 kWh per hour
  • Baseboard Heater = 1.5 kWh per hour

Cooling

  • Window / Wall AC (8k to 18k BTU) = 0.73 – 1.8 kWh per hour
  • Standing Fan = 3.0 kWh per hour
  • Ceiling Fan = 0.025 – 0.075 kWh per hour
  • Central AC (3 ton – 12 SEER) = 3.0 kWh per hour

Please keep in mind that knowing when and when not to use heat or cooling is essential to maximizing your battery life.

How Long Will Your Battery Last?

Without using AC or electric heat, homeowners can typically keep their essential systems powered with a 10-kWh battery for at roughly 24 hours. In a recent study done by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, “(A) small PVESS with just 10 kWh of storage (at the lower end of sizes currently observed in the market) can fully meet backup needs over a 3-day outage in virtually all U.S. counties and any month of the year.”[2]

This means you can run your refrigerator, lights, TV and device chargers for at least three days before experiencing a true power outage. The more conservative you are with your power usage, the longer your battery will last.

Solar Power and Battery Power at Momentum

The great thing about having solar power and battery storage at home is that you essentially are your own utility provider. You generate the power with your panels, store the excess in your battery and choose to use the extra energy when needed.

Whether you need solar, a battery storage system or both, our team has you covered. Our team offers flexible financing options to fit your needs, and we can provide two different battery modules from Enphase.

Both Enphase Encharge modules are interchangeable and scalable, allowing you to create the perfect battery storage system for your needs. To learn more about our battery storage options, check out our blog, Battery Storage and Your Home!

For more information, please call us at 1-888-MOMENTUM or visit our website at www.momentumsolar.com.

 

 

 

[1] https://www.solar.com/learn/how-long-can-a-battery-provide-power-during-an-outage/

[2] https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/pvess_report_narrative_summary.pdf

 

Perfect closing

Hurricane Season: How to Prepare for a Storm

Posted on by Admin

This week, Hurricane Ian is barreling towards the Gulf Coast of Florida. Airports, schools, stores and businesses are closed as Ian gets closer and closer. There are currently five categories of hurricanes that each represents varying degrees of severity; Category I is the least threatening with sustained winds of 74-95 mph, and Category V being the worst-case scenario for homeowners, with sustained winds of 157 mph or higher.[1]

Hurricane Ian is teetering on the brink of a Category V, and this means that the west coast of Florida will sustain, “Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”[2]

So, what can you do to prepare for damage to your home and power outages? Here is your Momentum Storm Guide!

Are you already a solar storm pro and want to speak to a Momentum specialist about battery storage? Click here or call 1-888-MOMENTUM today.

How to Prepare

Now, many people have the option to leave the area before the storm, and this is always the best way to prepare. If you can leave, pack up your essentials, snacks, clothes and small valuables and make your way to a hotel, friend or family member’s home. But how do you prepare if you must stay home and weather the storm? Below are a few key steps to follow!

If you have a business, it is also advised to take the same steps. It is better to always be prepared. If you would like to read more about preparing for a storm, click here!

Momentum Keeps the Lights On

Being prepared for extreme weather is one way to keep yourself and family safe. But during smaller (non-hurricane) storms where you can ride out the weather safely from home, battery storage may be a helpful solution.

Momentum Solar is excited to offer battery storage to homeowners with solar, and homeowners looking to go solar and add a battery backup system. We teamed up with an energy powerhouse to bring you the best battery storage solutions. Through our exclusive partnership with Enphase, Momentum provides homeowners just like you with energy management technology to keep your home powered up, even during harsh weather conditions. This includes instances where the rest of your neighborhood is experiencing a blackout due to extreme weather, rolling utility outages or other emergencies.

Having solar panels with storage means you always have energy to use – especially when you need it the most. The best part? When your panels produce more energy than you need, they can store that power for a rainy day in your Enphase battery unit.

Get Powered Up

As one of the fastest-growing solar power companies in the country, our team is here to help you keep the lights on. Whether you are on the East Coast, down South or on the sunny West, Momentum is ready to help you weather the storm.

Click here or call us today at 1-888-MOMENTUM to learn more about our services and how you can get started.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/27/us/hurricane-ian-florida-news

[2] https://www.nbcnewyork.com/weather/weather-stories/hurricane-categories-breaking-down-the-very-dangerous-to-the-catastrophic/3882035/

The Investment Tax Credit – Start Saving With Solar

Posted on by Admin

For many reasons, making the shift to solar energy may be beneficial. Homeowners not only get the advantages of lower utility bills, self-generated energy and environmental responsibility but they also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This useful tax incentive can save millions of homeowners throughout the country an enormous amount of money!*

Do you already know about the ITC? Click here to speak with one of our solar experts to see if you qualify for this awesome incentive!

Whether you already have solar, are considering installing it, or are just starting to consider leaving fossil fuels behind, this guide will tell you everything there is to know about the ITC and how it may benefit you.

What is the ITC?

The Investment Tax Credit, or also known as the federal solar tax credit, “allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes.” Another great feature of this tax credit, is that the ITC applies to residential and commercial systems and has no cap on its value.[1]

The History of the ITC

In 2005, the Energy Policy Act had established the ITC, and it was only supposed to last until the end of 2007. Since the ITC was so popular and supported the United States’ transition to renewable energy, it has been extended. In fact, since it was so successful, Congress had extended the deadline multiple times, most recently in 2020. However, the tax credit won’t the same, so now is the best time to act before it goes down in 2023![3]

How Does it Work?

First things first, you need to have solar panels! Next, you need to own your solar panel system. Even if you don’t have enough tax liability to claim the entire credit in one year, you can rollover the reaming credits into future years. Keep in mind that this is only valid if the tax credit is still in effect. However, keep if you lease or have a power purchase agreement (PPA) with your solar installer, you are not the owner of the system you cannot benefit from the tax credit.[1]

Quick Facts: The ITC

  • The residential and commercial solar ITC has helped the U.S. solar industry grow by more than 10,000% percent since it was implemented in 2006, with an average annual growth of 50% over the last decade alone.[2]
  • The 2020 extension of the ITC has provided market certainty for companies to develop long-term investments that drive competition and technological innovation, which in turn lowers energy costs for consumers.[2]
  • In December 2020, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, which provides a 26% tax credit for systems installed in 2020-2022, and 22% for systems installed in 2023. (Systems installed before December 31, 2019, were eligible for a 30% tax credit.) The tax credit expires starting in 2024 unless Congress renews it.[3]

How to Claim the ITC

Now that you’re an expert on the history of the ITC, how can you claim its benefits? When you file your taxes with the IRS, you will want to file a Form 5695.[2] You can fill out this form at the same time you would file your federal tax return. Be sure to mention to your accountant or tax professional that you’ve gone solar in the past year, or if you file your taxes yourself, you will just need to follow three steps.

  • Determine if you are eligible for the ITC
  • Complete IRS Form 5695
  • Add your renewable energy credit information to your typical Form 1040.[2]
  • For more detailed information on the process and how it applies to you, please consult with an accountant or tax professional.

Go Solar with Momentum!

There is no better moment to switch to cleaner, more affordable energy than right now! Even though the ITC is still in force, it may not be for long. Our team has over a decade of expertise in the solar sector and is eager to assist with your project, regardless of the size.

Call us today to learn more at 1-888-MOMENTUM!

*Momentum Solar do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

 

[1] https://www.energysage.com/solar/cost-benefit/solar-investment-tax-credit/

[2] https://news.energysage.com/how-do-i-claim-the-solar-tax-credit/

[3] https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics#:~:text=In%20December%202020%2C%20Congress%20passed,2024%20unless%20Congress%20renews%20it.

Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy

We use cookies to make our site work well for you and so we can continually improve it.
The cookies that are necessary to keep the site functioning are always on.