Adam-Glick5 Tactics for Maximum Returns on your Solar/Battery Storage Investment

By Adam Glick, Sr Consultant, NATiVE Solar

Ask 20 people for their views on solar – you’ll get 20 different answers.

But ask NATiVE Solar for our take on the best ways to maximize the value returned from residential solar and/or battery energy storage in Texas – and you’ll hear us repeatedly mention a few specific tactics which folks can use to this end. Here are 5 very good ones to consider :

#1 Understand Your Family’s Electrical Consumption patterns
Before you start looking at how to get the most from your system, you need to understand how and when your family consumes power. Do you have an EV? When do you charge it? Do you have a pool pump? How often does it run? Is there a running battle for control over the upstairs HVAC thermostat? 🙂 How much power is that old freezer in the garage using? With a little bit of thought and effort, it’s not hard to compile some data and a list of apparent trends.

This insight will help you in all other related efforts to get the best return and value possible for your solar and energy storage system.

*For data junkies, installing “smart” electrical panels such as SPAN panels can help you track the energy consumed by every circuit in your home 24/7 day after day – down to the watt! Over time, the trends and usage patterns will be plain to see. Plus, smart panels help detect failing electrical devices/appliances, and let you more efficiently run from battery backup during a grid outage scenario by automatically “shedding” unnecessary circuits while keeping lights, fridge and other “critical loads” running strong.

#2. Compare the Different Solar Programs Available
Texas (for better or worse) is the only state in the country with a deregulated electrical market. But the majority of Texas residents will have to choose one of a headspinning number of competing REPs (retail energy providers -there are literally hundreds. And they all have different programs, rates, and policies for customers who need to plug their solar-equipped home into the grid.

Some REPs offer “free nights and weekends”, but you may pay more for grid power during the day. Some offer fantastic buy-back rates for taking your unused solar harvested energy, but may cap the maximum size of the solar harvesting array or how much extra power your panels can produce, export and get paid for. Some programs will pay you more $$$ for your unused energy if you sell it back to the grid at night – when demand is higher and available supply drops off. (See “Duck Curve” for more info about this solar-related phenomenon)

In a few places, like here in Austin, you’re stuck with one option – although Austin Energy’s current offering isn’t too bad for most solar-equipped residents – all things considered. 🙂

3# Modify Habits and Usage Patterns
Once you’ve selected the right retail energy provider and solar plan, make an effort to adapt your family’s electrical consumption accordingly. If you drive an EV, consider charging at home during the day instead of exporting unused energy back to the grid. Perhaps consider house rules for when (and how often) certain appliances and amenities should be used. And don’t forget to turn off that light when you leave the room…

#4 Make Use of Available Incentive Programs
Many energy providers and utility companies offer rebates and credits ON TOP OF the 30% Federal Income Tax Credit available for all solar and battery energy storage system purchases.
For instance, here in Austin, you can get a $2500 incentive from Austin Energy for taking a short online education course and a quick (and very easy!) online quiz. It’s easy money – but don’t forget that you also make sure your solar array is properly sized/oriented, and free of shading. NATiVE Solar can help with this!

Oh, and don’t forget that property value increases due to adding solar harvesting and battery energy storage are tax-exempt!

#5 Add Battery Energy Storage to Your Solar Harvesting System
Solar panels are a wonderful way to produce your own power and help cut your electricity bills while helping our planet through the use of renewable energy sources.

But solar panels don’t work when the GRID is out!

It’s true. When the electrical grid fails, your solar panels will shut down and stop producing power. This is by design (and by law) -and allows the utility and grid operators to control the risk of your system “back-feeding” the utility lines on your street – and of their linemen being inadvertently electrocuted while working to restore power.

But with a locally installed battery storage system, this isn’t a problem. Due to the way these systems are designed, your panels can continue to generate power to run your home and charge your batteries when the grid is down but the sun is up!

Bonus Solar Tactic – Engage with NATiVE Solar
The practitioners at NATiVE Solar have been helping our residential and commercial customers across Texas get the most out of their solar and battery storage investments since 2007.

Let the team help you explore all the important aspects to consider as you consider installing (or upgrading your existing) solar harvesting and batteries.

We’ll always shoot it straight with you – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Drop us a line or give us a call! Get Started Today!