Tell us about yourself and your role with Panasonic.

With over five years of experience at Panasonic North America, I have worked on integrating residential energy storage and solar products with HVAC systems and EV chargers across homes in North America. My expertise lies in system troubleshooting, energy management, ensuring seamless operation and efficiency while advancing sustainable energy solutions for modern homes.

Why is battery storage an essential component of solar power systems, especially following the increase of extreme weather events?

Battery systems offer resiliency and peace of mind during planned and un-planned power outages which have been increasing due to the aging grid and weather-related impacts. Furthermore, having batteries connected to solar panels allow the homeowners to become energy independent while utilizing a renewable power source and manage their needs more efficiently as the electricity prices continue to surge with increasing energy demands.

How do battery storage systems work with solar panels to ensure a continuous power supply?

During the day, if the solar panels produce more energy than the home uses, the extra power charges the batteries and save stored energy for later use. For example with Panasonic, after sunset, we recommend switching the system to "Self-Supply" mode allows the home to use the stored solar energy from the battery.

What should homeowners look for when shopping for a whole home solar system? What components do you recommend? 

When evaluating options for solar at home, it’s important to ensure the installer sets up your home with a complete system to fit every need. In addition to the solar panels, a solar array system should be comprised of optimizers for efficient production during cloud cover, string inverter or microinverters for DC power to AC power conversion, racking for panel mounting on the roof / ground and module level power electronics (MLPE), such as rapid shut down (RSD) devices as per the local safety code.
These components offer homeowners more value to their system.

What role does energy management technology play in optimizing the performance of both solar panels and battery storage systems?

Energy management features enable homeowners to track their energy production and consumption, helping them plan usage based on solar output and battery levels. Panasonic developed the SmartBox to offer homeowners the ability to control their solar systems to run how best suits their needs. For example, with Smart Load Control homeowners can prioritize and schedule select appliances and their energy usage, ensuring efficient energy use and maximize their savings.

What are some common misconceptions homeowners may have about integrating a battery with their solar system, and how can they be addressed?

One of the most common misconceptions is that having a battery system will back up the entire home during an outage. Depending on the size of the home and appliances used, the battery backup power may only be enough to support the essential loads such as refrigerator, lights, internet, etc. during an outage as these do not consume as much power as other appliances. However, if the entire home needs to be backed up, homeowners can stack multiple battery systems, to have higher output power and capacity. Home systems can be customized to fit different homeowner needs and usage.

How can homeowners determine if their solar system is equipped with both battery storage and the right management device to run during outages?

Homeowners should work with a local installer to choose the right battery setup based on their needs, whether for backup power, time-of-use savings, or both. They should identify which appliances are essential during an outage and ensure the system is configured accordingly. Once set up, the installer can help adjust settings to match the chosen operating mode for their system.

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag

Panasonic Solar & Storage

Since its establishment in 1918, Panasonic has been at the forefront of innovation, providing reliable and trusted technologies to enhance everyday life. Panasonic authorized installers ensures the seamless delivery of top-tier solar and battery storage solutions to residential and small commercial customers. By harnessing the power of their EVERVOLT® solar panels and home batteries, the Panasonic Total Home Energy System empowers homeowners to generate and store their own energy for immediate and future use, all while enjoying peace of mind with zero emissions. Additionally, their comprehensive warranty covers solar panels for 25 years and battery storage for 12 years, providing assurance and protection for your investment.

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