I was wondering how solar powered houses store energy when the sun is not out? What is the device called that actually stores the energy?

That all depends on how you are collecting solar energy.

If you are using solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, then the energy is stored in what are called deep cycle batteries. It takes a few of these batteries wired together. All the batteries you have wired together that store electricity are called a battery bank.

Your battery bank will store electricity so that you can use that electricity when there is no sun.

If you are using a solar heater that heats water, then the hot water is stored in insulated tanks that you can use later when the sun is not out.

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