Being prepared for all emergencies is a must and nothing is more important than having a backup supply of electricity in the event of a power cut.
Homes powered by solar energy tend to be tied to the grid. Unfortunately, that means that if there’s a shut off from the grid, it’s likely to affect your home too.
But, with different types of backups available, which is the best option for you and your family? It’s vital to be prepared with an energy supply to provide your home with power in the event of outages and shut offs. Both solar power batteries and generators have their own pros and cons. We’ll cover each of the two main back up sources below:
Solar power batteries
Designed to store any excess energy that hasn’t been used throughout the day, solar power batteries bank excess solar energy so you have a supply ready to go when you need it most. Some of the main advantages of investing in solar power batteries include:
Easy to store. They tend to be sleek and easy to store, so you can keep yours in the utility or garage out of sight and they won’t take up too much space in your home.
Silent. They are also silent, so there’s no need to worry about any noises from then keeping you and your family up all night.
Environmentally friendly. As well as being silent and easy to store, solar power batteries for home use are also great for your carbon footprint. As they work by using all the excess solar energy your panels have generated throughout the day, they are one of the greenest forms of energy.
Low cost. Solar batteries are one of the cheapest energy supplies in the world. You’ll need to pay a one off payment for the battery itself but once you have the battery it pays for itself as the energy from the sun is free and in plentiful supply. There are little to no maintenance costs that come with having a solar battery and some governments offer incentives to help pay for the installation of panels and your battery making them even cheaper.
Tailored to you. If you do end up in a black out, some solar batteries can be tailored to help power individual devices in your home, such as the lights or television, so you can carry on as normal until the outage ends.
Generators
An electricity generator is a great investment but there are a few pros and cons to consider before investing.
Size. While a generator means you’ll have an instant source of electricity in a power cut they can also be quite bulky and difficult to store. The size of the generator you’ll need depends on how large your home is and how much power you’ll need.
Noise. Whole house generators can be pretty noisy so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a big enough home to store it somewhere out of earshot. Smaller, portable generators can be less noisy but they still emit a certain amount of noise as they are generating electricity.
Fuel. You’ll need make sure you have enough fossil fuels to keep your generator going. Whether that’s gas or liquid propane, generators can be costly to run as you’ll need to keep it topped up. The use of fossil fuels is also harmful to the environment making them a less green option than a solar power battery for your home.
Cost. Generators aren’t cheap to install and once it’s in your home the maintenance and upkeep can also be costly. Check your local government website, but there tend to be less incentives for buying generators than solar energy.
When compared like for like, solar power batteries for your home tend to be the best option when it comes to having a backup energy supply at the ready. While generators are a constant supply, solar batteries tend to have many more advantages overall.
