Solar energy is one of the most reliable forms of energy in the world. We can’t control the weather, there’s just no way around Mother Nature providing us with some of the sunniest days, windiest or dark and dreary cloudy days. Since the weather is one of the few things in the world humans can’t control, we know the seasons and temperatures of our world will always be there. 

Solar energy has been around for as long as humans have been on Earth. The age old shining a magnifying glass at the sun to create fire, is technically a form of solar energy. Sunrooms were invented to heat rooms with the sun for warmth. These little pieces of history may not seem like the solar power we use today, but these are all methods of solar energy. 

Vivint.Solar.com reported the solar power we know today, was officially invented in 1839 when physicist Edmond Becquerel was conducting an experiment on metal electrodes. He found the cells created more electricity when in direct light.  

In 1889, the first solar cell was invented. A solar cell is essentially what you see on the outside of solar panels now. It’s the invention that attracts the sun and helps store this as an energy source. 

EnergySage.com reports that an average 250 watt solar panel getting a minimum of 4 hours in the sun a day, can produce about 1,000 watts of energy a day and that’s just one solar panel. But what happens when the solar panel is full? Where does the energy go? 

When you’re powering a home for example with solar energy, your home is hooked up to the panels to use as its main source of energy. They power your TV, your oven and every other electrical appliance or aspect of your home. Solar.com explains that if you live in a warmer climate, where you’re getting constant sun, your solar panels will produce way more energy in a day than your home needs to power for the day. That’s where batteries come in to help!

If you didn’t have a battery, the extra energy would spin your electrical meter backwards and leave you with a credit owned by the electrical company. However, you’re not likely to see that credit because there’s a more reliable source to store that energy than simply return it. 

With a battery hooked up to your solar panels, the energy will charge the battery, just like if you plugged in a rechargeable battery to charge on an outlet!

Most homes run on AC(Alternating Current) which means this type of battery (your home) accepts incoming power, like from the power lines connected to your home. But batteries need DC (Direct Current) in order to accept the current, and retain the power or for example, charge your phone. Notice how all laptop charging cords have a big box attached to it? That box is converting the AC power coming from the outlet and it converts the power to DC to supply the charge to your device. 

There are two very good reasons why you would want to have solar batteries. The first reason is because if the grid has a power outage, your solar batteries will act as a generator and your homes power will turn right back on. The advantage to solar batteries over a regular generator is that you don’t need fuel. Most generators run on gas or another source of power, adding more cost to your monthly budget. But with a solar battery, you’re just using up some of the extra solar power the sun has provided you. 

The second reason solar batteries are more efficient is because of the weather! Sadly, sometimes throughout the winter or even just a regular Fall day like today, there is minimal sun. If Mother Nature decides the next week's forecast is going to be cloudy, followed by more clouds, you don’t have to worry about a thing because your solar battery is charged up!

Batteries power way more than we sometimes believe. Common household uses like remotes, watches and smoke detectors are a given but it’s fascinating to think a full home could be running solely off a battery. 

Find out more about Solar Energy and Solar Batteries from the below sources:

www.solar.com/learn/how-do-solar-batteries-work/

www.vivintsolar.com/learning-center/history-of-solar-energy

www.energysage.com/solar/solar-energy-storage/how-do-solar-batteries-work/

To purchase our Philips household batteries, find us on Amazon here.