As of 2020, no more than 4% of solar installations for homes had a battery backup. This trend will most likely change as more and more people are asking about this option. Solar batteries let you store excess power from your system so that you may use it in the future.
In general, solar panels produce less energy at night or on cloudy days. It is always good to have a backup battery instead of relying on your utility when this happens.
If you are looking to improve the value of your solar system, there are top-notch solutions such as the Tesla Powerwall 2 and SunVault storage system. They are known to deliver power in case of power outages occurring. They also minimize the costs at peak hours. There are cheaper options as well. Below, we will walk you through the main considerations when choosing the right battery for your setup.
Factors to Consider
Battery Size
You should consider how much power you need in a battery. A small one will suffice if you only want a backup for the refrigerator and lights in case the grid experiences a blackout. On the other hand, you will need more batteries or a bigger one if you want to keep all the circuits running. Make sure to think of your household and property size before making a decision.
Capacity
This is the indicator for the amount of battery you may store. It uses the kilowatt-hours or kWh unit. Consumer Affairs said that the average household requires 30 kWh per day. The regular solar battery boasts a capacity of approximately a third of that.
Power
This is the output capability of the battery. It is measured in kilowatts or kW.
Round-trip efficiency
This can be calculated through a comparison of how much power is required to fill the battery and how much you can get from it. A battery has a better value if the round-trip efficiency is higher.
Depth of Discharge
Meanwhile, this is the percentage of the battery that will be discharged in relation to its overall capacity. A higher depth of discharge means you will get more usage out of the battery.
This is a lot to take in if you do not have a lot of experience in electricity. Fortunately, Solar Regeneration can make everything easier for you. Contact us so we can find the right battery for you!