Many utility companies are reassessing their policies for net metering and the credits that are received for sending excess energy back to the grid. Some companies are actively reducing the credits offered for this excess energy, meaning you don’t always get back what you put in. That’s right; you are essentially selling your energy back to the utility at a reduced rate. The good news is that with the use of a battery backup system, you can ensure that you can use the full amount of excess energy you have produced whenever you see fit! You will also benefit in a few other ways you can benefit from using a battery backup system rather than energy credits.
Emergency Backup
There are few things more unsettling than having a lengthy, major power outage. With the continued demand for power and the aging of the national energy grid, power outages are becoming more common. For many businesses, this can be detrimental to operations and cause costly damage. If you have solar already, then you are one step ahead. However, with an emergency battery backup system powered by all the excess energy you have saved over time, it could be just the thing that keeps you up and running. It should be able to provide enough energy to power your most critical loads during the night while the grid is down.
Peak Demand Shaving
Many states have started utilizing demand-based rate plans, which means businesses pay fees for using energy during peak hours. This is designed to encourage customers to use less energy throughout peak usage times, but we all know that isn’t always realistic or practical. However, with a battery storage system, you may be able to circumvent the issues altogether. During the demand peaks, you can draw on your stored energy and avoid using power from the grid. This use of a battery storage system generally has one of the fastest ROI, and it can start saving your business money as soon as you can utilize it.
Full Off-Grid System
Utilizing an entirely off-grid system may be more realistic for some businesses than others. For example, a church or small office complex will use much less electricity than a manufacturing facility. This makes it much more difficult and expensive to take a business such as a factory off-grid and supply 100% of its electrical needs via a battery storage system. While it is absolutely possible to operate a business solely off-grid, it might not be the most cost-effective option. However, if your top priority is security and uninterrupted power, this may be the solution for you.
