Storing Solar Energy for Nighttime Use

There’s something ironic about solar energy. Right when we start using the most energy (at night), solar power stops providing. That doesn’t have to mean we’re without power altogether. By storing the energy created throughout the day, you can use it when the sun isn’t shining – at night. In this article, we’ll highlight how to store solar energy for nighttime use. 

Solar Energy Generation

First, let’s discuss how solar energy is converted into electricity.Solar panels transform the sun’s rays into usable electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. When the sun sets, or when clouds drift across the sky, the PV cells’ production line slows down and eventually halts. This is when you need to turn to your secret weapon: energy storage.

The Need for Energy Storage

With a basic understanding of solar energy production under our belts, it’s time to tackle a fundamental question: Why is there a need to store this energy? To put it simply, our lives don’t follow the sun’s schedule. The demand for electricity typically peaks in the evening hours, just when solar power generation is winding down. Storing solar energy allows us to bridge this gap, ensuring we can use the sun’s power on our own terms, be it day or night.

Methods of Storing Solar Energy

So how exactly do we preserve this solar power for later use? The answer is battery storage, the MVP of solar energy storage.

Here’s how it works: throughout the day, solar panels soak up sunlight and turn it into electricity. For instance, I know in my area of Illinois we get about 4.6 peak sun hours on average per day, you can find your peak sun hours where you live here. This power, in turn, charges up a battery – think of it as refueling your phone when you plug it into the wall, only on a much grander scale. When the sun goes away, you switch on your stored power supply, and the saved energy is ready for the night.

Lithium-ion Batteries

The type of battery used is important. In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as the top choice. They boast a high energy density, which means they can store a substantial amount of energy for their size, and they have a good lifespan. Their energy efficiency – the proportion of stored energy that can actually be used – is also solid. 

It’s worth noting that the field isn’t limited to lithium-ion batteries. Other types, including flow batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries, are also an option, each offering their unique advantages and challenges.

Flow Batteries

Flow batteries bring a fresh approach to solar energy storage. They don’t store energy in solid materials like traditional batteries; instead, they use liquid electrolytes. This design gives them flexibility and scalability, allowing us to adjust their storage capacity as needed. Although they are more expensive than other options, work is underway to make them more affordable. As it stands these batteries haven’t been used in residential energy storage but as the technology progresses these might become a more practical option.

Sodium-Sulfur Batteries

Sodium-sulfur batteries also present an interesting option for solar energy storage. They work at high temperatures and stand out for their high energy density and efficiency. Their capacity for large-scale storage makes them a potential fit for utility companies. However, their high operating temperatures and related safety issues currently restrict their broader application.

Current Challenges and Future Prospects

Storing solar energy is not without its hurdles. First up, we have the cost. Batteries that can keep a whole town lit up overnight don’t come cheap. And then there’s efficiency. Despite our best efforts, some energy is always lost when we store it and take it back out again. And we can’t forget about the environment – issues like the lifespan of batteries and what we do with them when they’re worn out are important too. The encouraging news is companies like Redwood Materials have really started to push the battery recycling technology and plan to meet the need as more and more batteries reach the end of their useful life.

But it’s not all challenges and roadblocks. The field of energy storage is buzzing with innovation and research. These breakthroughs are helping to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and lessen our environmental footprint. Who knows, we might be close to finding the ideal way to hold onto the energy from our sunny days.

Conclusion

And that brings us to the end of our exploration of solar energy storage. This topic is a crucial part of the renewable energy landscape, making sure we can tap into the sun’s plentiful energy, day or night. As we refine these storage techniques and push innovation forward, our bond with the sun grows stronger. After all, we don’t want to let any of the sun’s daily energy gift go to waste. With effective storage, we can make every beam of sunlight count.

If you want to learn more about solar, we have some solar consultants that can help work through your specific home energy consumption needs or a solar calculator to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Solar Energy