The Pros and Cons of Solar Storage
Adding battery storage to your solar system is a must for off-the-grid living and a great idea for shaving your peak demand or for back-up power.
In this episode, Chris and Phil head over to thePortland Podto record because they have not one, but two guests. Geoff Sparrow and Fred Greenhalgh ofRevision Energyjoin the hosts to talk about solar storage! With lithium ion batteries hitting the market at ever more affordable prices, perhaps you’ve considered adding them to a project. The whole gang will sip fancy, sunny cocktails and talk about the pros and cons of solar storage, when to consider it, and your options for installation.
![Sipping Smoked Pineapples](https://s3.amazonaws.com/finehomebuilding.s3.tauntoncloud.com/app/uploads/2022/12/15160551/Sipping-Smoked-Pineapples.jpg)
The Cocktail: Smoked Pineapple
Ingredients:
2 oz Mezcal
1 oz Homemade pineapple syrup*
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 oz fresh lime juice
Splash of pineapple juice
Rim glass with smoked salt, shake, pour over ice, and garnish with pineapple leaf.
*Homemade pineapple syrup: 1 part sugar, 1 part pineapple juice, some star anise, a cinnamon stick, and some hot peppers.
The Highlights:
- When should one consider solar storage?
- What’s it like to live off grid with solar?
- How to maintain your batteries.
- Lead Acid vs. Lithium Ion
- What is a battery system comprised of?
- How does a grid-tied system work?
- If you have solar, batteries trump back-up generators.
- How do utilities interface with these systems?
- How much do they cost?
- AC coupled systems vs. DC coupled systems.
Pet Product:
Rewall: A low embodied carbon replacement for gypsum wall board.
Song of the Episode:
My life in Storageby Frank Black
The Green Architects’ Lounge hostsare Chris Briley and Philip Kaplan. Chris is a principal atBRIBURN architecture for life. Phil is a principal atKaplan Thompson Architects.
Originally published onGreenBuildingAdvisor.com. Never miss an episode and take the podcast with you! Subscribe to theGreen Architects’ Loungeon iTunes or from wherever you download your podcasts. The show’s Theme Music isZelda’s Themeby Perez Prado.Special thanks to our sponsorPinnacle Window SolutionsandRevision Energy!
More on solar power and battery storage:
Photovoltaics, Part 1: Shedding Light on the Basics