Should I Get A Solar Battery With My Solar Panels
While there are certainly some financial benefits to be had from installing a solar battery, whether or not your household should add a battery to your solar panel system will depend entirely upon your energy usage and personal circumstance. If you are hoping to slash a few dollars off your energy bills with your battery and tap into more of your generated solar energy during all hours of the day, then it may be worth adding a battery system to your home.
Its important to keep in mind however, that solar batteries are quite a significant financial investment, and there is no guarantee that within the standard 10-year warranty time frame that your system will be able to make its money back. Even with the aid of a government solar rebate or grant, the upfront costs involved with solar battery installation are still quite high. Thats why its best to do your research and shop around for quotes before making a purchase decision.
Related content:
Solar Battery Storage System Installation Cost By Unit
Most solar battery systems are modular, meaning you can combine multiple batteries to generate more power. Your households energy usage will determine how many or what size batteries are best suited for you.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, the average home uses 28kWh a day or 877kWh a month. Look closely at the solar units you want to buy to make sure that they will generate enough energy to power your home.
Heres a breakdown of how the installation cost might look by unit:
Things To Avoid When Choosing A Solar Powered Generator
Heres what to avoid when shopping for a solar generator.
1. Square-Sine Wave Inverters
Weve already discussed the three types of inverters.
Avoid square sine wave inverters it unlikely youll find them anyway.
2. Very Low Capacity Solar Backup Generators
Even if you are charging gadgets like your smartphone, tablet, and camera, its still a good idea to get a decently sized solar generator.
Dont go below 600Wh.
If you plan to power an appliance like a CPAP machine, a coffee maker or a fan, dont go below 1,000Wh.
You want a generator that can last at least a full day and night even on cloudy days.
3. Very Low-wattage Solar Panels
The solar panels that come with some generators feel like tokens rather than a genuine effort to provide customers with a complete system.
A 50W solar panel will take days to charge a 100Ah battery.
Check that the solar generator comes with solar panels that can charge the battery in at most 6-8 hours.
One 100W panel or two 50W panels are good enough for most standby solar generators.
4. Low Quality or Suspiciously Cheap Solar Generators
You get what you pay for holds up well when it comes to buying a solar generator.
Despite the potential savings, you are better off avoiding cheap off-brand solar generators, especially if they boast a high wattage and capacity.
Buy from a trusted brand with a reputation for high-quality products.
Recommended Reading: Can I Add More Solar Panels To My Existing System
Not Financially Worth It Yet
At this point in time, solar batteries are not worth it. Given that the useful life of a solar battery is around 10 years, adding a solar battery to an existing system is not financially worth it, as you will not generate enough savings in a 10-year period to pay off the battery.
For new solar panel and battery systems, payback is much closer to the 10-year mark and buying a battery storage system is marginal at best. However, when we split the battery from the panels, the payback for the battery component is well beyond the 10-year useful life of the battery. The outlay for a solar battery storage system is also considerable.
Our analysis also concludes that solar batteries are more financially viable if:
- You are a high electricity user
- You dont use much daytime electricity
Which Is Most Cost
The exact amount youll pay for backup power depends on your homes size and energy needs. According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range for a generator system is $1,413-$7,594, and installation costs vary and may add upwards of $10,000 or more to the total cost. Most of these generators are powerful enough to run a typical home during an outage.
By comparison, solar battery backup systems start at around $9,000, not including installation costs.
If youre budgeting for a battery backup system, you can expect to spend between $25,000 and $30,000 including batteries, installation, and other equipment.
Fortunately, incentives and rebates can help you access a solar battery backup system.
Dont let the upfront price deter you, though. Financing programs are available for qualifying applicants, and battery backup systems offer long-term savings that generators dont.
When you purchase a generator, you need to buy fuel, perform monthly and annual maintenance, and replace the generator at the end of its lifespan.
On the other hand, battery backup systems pair with solar energy systems to create a renewable power source. Over time, this can save you thousands of dollars on your electric bill.
Installing a battery backup system may also allow you to access federal and state tax incentives or participate in the SGIP Equity Resiliency program which well discuss more below.
You May Like: Is My Home Suitable For Solar Panels
Lifespan And Charge/discharge Cycles
The lifespan of a battery is a crucial factor that manufacturers compete on when designing robust solar batteries. The design process often focuses on making the battery resist heat and cold cycles to deliver peak performance for longer. The type of battery technology also plays a significant role in determining the lifespan of the battery.
Three factors that affect the longevity of a battery that you should check when shopping for one are:
- Depth of Discharge: This is the extent to which the battery is discharged or used, relative to its capacity. Since batteries degrade as they are used, their capacity deteriorates over time.
- Cyclic life: This is the number of charge and discharge cycles of the battery. During regular use, flooded batteries typically last for between 300 and 700 cycles. Gel batteries can store and deliver peak power for as many as 500 to 5000 cycles. Lithium batteries can last for up to 200 cycles.
- Temperature: The chemical activity inside batteries increases with temperature. To extend the lifespan of your solar batteries, install them in a temperature-controlled room.
Are Solar Batteries Worth It
The answer to this question depends on four factors:
Do you have access to 1:1 net metering where you live
1:1 net metering means that you get a 1 for 1 credit for each kWh of excess solar energy that you export to the public grid during that day. This means that if you design a solar system to cover 100% of your electric usage you will have no electric bill. It also means you don’t really need a solar battery bank because the net metering law is allowing you to use the grid as your battery bank.
The exception to this is is where there is time of use billing and electric rates in the evening are higher than they are during the day .
How much excess solar energy do you have to store in a battery?
There is no point having a solar battery unless you have a solar system that is big enough to generate excess solar energy during the middle of the day that can be stored in the battery. This is kind of obvious but it is something you need to check.
The exception to this is where there is time of use billing and electric rates in the evening are higher than they are during the day .
Are there specific rebates for solar batteries where you live?
It is obviously much more attractive to buy a solar battery if part of the cost is going to be funded by some form of rebate or tax credit. If you are buying a battery bank to store solar energy then you can claim the 30% federal solar tax credit on it.
Recommended Reading: The Earth In The Solar System
Solar Battery Backup Installation
Whether you want to include a backup battery in a new solar panel system or add energy storage to an existing system, there are a few things you should know. Here are a few tips to get you started on the right path.
- Check on battery rebate programs for state and federal tax credits and rebates.
- Contact your utility and confirm that every component in your energy storage system spec has been approved for interconnection before you start. Some jurisdictions require re-permitting existing solar systems and wiring upgrades if you install a new inverter.
If you need help with a solar battery backup solution, just reach out to the experts at GoGreenSolar. We have you covered, whether youre retrofitting an existing solar panel system with battery backup, or just starting out with solar panels.
Shop Solar Battery Packages for Grid-Tie Systems
Add a whole home or partial home battery backup package to your solar panel system today!
Cons Of The Electriq Powerpod 2
- The cost of a PowerPod 2 is estimated between $13,000 and $19,000, but could go higher based on your location and other factors
- As a newer company, its more difficult to believe in Electriq Powers warranty than it is in those from more established brands like Panasonic and LG
See what local solar installers are charging for solar-plus-battery installations
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Pigeons Under Solar Panels
Final Thoughts: Solar Batteries
The bottom line is that to get the most out of your solar system, youll need more than just top-of-the-line panels. Having a reliable solar battery can also be crucial. Make sure you explore your options and account for your homes specific energy needs when choosing the best solar batteries for your system.
If you want to book a professional solar consultation for free, you can do so by clicking one of the links below. A consultation with a certified company is a great way to find out what type of battery would work best for your home, how much your solar system would cost and how much you can save by taking advantage of local and federal solar incentives.
The Bottom Line: Which Is The Best Solar Battery For You
Solar batteries help homeowners make the most of their solar power systems. They store the excess energy your system generates so that none of your power goes to waste.
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is our top pick for a solar battery due to its high DoD and unrestrictive warranty. The Sonnen Eco is another excellent option, thanks to its variety of modular batteries. The SunPower SunVault is ideal for those looking for a high-capacity battery.
Get a Quote on Your Solar Installation in 30 Seconds
You May Like: Do Solar Panels Work With Snow On Them
Redback Tech Smart Hybrid
Redback Technologies is an Australian company focused on developing smart, integrated, hybrid energy storage systems for homes and businesses. The first generation smart hybrid system was released back in early 2016, while the Gen 2 system was introduced in 2018. Redback teamed up with the University of Queensland along with the well established Chinese inverter manufacture Goodwe to deliver a quality, feature-packed energy storage system at an affordable price.
Best Battery Large Size: Lg Chem Resu
If your home churns through power like theres no tomorrow, youll probably need quite a large and reliable solar battery. And, when it comes to high-capacity residential home batteries, you cant overlook the LG Chem RESU. With a special design believed to prevent the likelihood of failures and increase reliability, this range allows households to store more than the popular 13kWh Powerwall 2 and for half the price. Plus, with back-up protection capabilities, you can rest assured that in the event of a blackout, the LG Chem RESU battery will be able to keep the lights on and the kettle boiling. As is standard for most solar batteries, LGs battery storage systems also come with a 10 year warranty.
Price: $4,000-$11,000 *
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 6.5, 9.8, 13.1kWh
Whats good about this battery:
- Capable of being used off-grid
- Modular design, allowing for extra LG Chem batteries to be added
- Suitable for outdoor installation
What to look out for:
- Can only be used in conjunction with compatible inverters
- Automatic shutdown response if communication is interrupted with inverter
- No more than two LG Chem RESU batteries are recommended to be used together
Compare Solar Installer Quotes
Over the last 12 years SolarQuotes® has steadily built a network of heavily vetted solar installers. Get up to 3 free, no obligation quotes from highly-qualified installers.
Recommended Reading: Solar Lights On Fence Posts
What Is A Battery Ready System
A sungrow hybrid or battery ready inverter operating without a battery.
A battery ready system is really a marketing term used to describe a solar system that uses a hybrid inverter rather than a common solar inverter. A hybrid inverter is essentially a solar inverter with integrated battery connections and controls which makes installing a battery much easier if you decide to add one in the future. The problem is battery ready or hybrid inverters are typically 30% more expensive than a standard solar inverter and due to the rapid evolution in battery technology finding a compatible battery may be difficult after a few years.
If you are seriously considering a battery in the near future, but are not sure what size battery will suit your needs, is generally worthwhile investing in a hybrid inverter and using the inverter monitoring App to measure your consumption and solar performance over a 12 month period. This way, you can accurately gauge your consumption and make an informed decision about what size battery you should purchase. For example, there is no point in purchasing a large 15kWh battery if your system does not generate enough excess energy to charge the battery during the year due to shading, poor weather or high consumption.
Rebates Subsidies And Virtual Power Plants
Government rebate schemes, and energy trading systems such as Reposit, can definitely make batteries economically viable for some households. Beyond the usual Small-scale Technology Certificate financial incentive for batteries, which applies across Australia, there are currently rebate or special loan schemes in some states and territories.
NT: Home and Business Battery Scheme
Note that some incentive schemes, such as the Victorian Solar Homes Program and the South Australian Home Battery Scheme, have a fixed number of subsidies available over a set period. So it’s possible for a subsidy scheme to be active, but unavailable until the next round of subsidies opens up.
Rebate schemes are revised from time to time, so it’s worth also checking the federal government energy website to see what’s available in your area.
There are also various Virtual Power Plant programs in most states which can help reduce the cost of a battery. By joining a VPP program, you agree to make the stored energy in your home battery available to the VPP operator who can then use it to supply the grid in times of high demand.
In return, you’re paid a subsidy, which might be in the form of reduced energy bills, a rebate towards buying the battery, or even free solar and battery installation. But note that even joining a VPP program won’t always guarantee that your battery pays for itself.
SolarQuotes maintains a list of current VPP programs.
Don’t forget the feed-in tariff
Home insurance
Grid-connected
Don’t Miss: How To Dissolve A Sole Proprietorship In Texas
Tv And Device Charging: 2 Kwh
| WiFi router | |
| Tablet | 0.032 kWh per day |
Lets be honest, one of the worst parts of power outages is going without internet and TV. Sure, you try to read a book for an hour or two, but that familiar glow is calling your name.
To keep the WiFi on, youll need about 0.024 kWh. If you work from home, you can run your laptop for 8 hours for another 0.4 kWh. And if you want to wind-down with a movie or 3-hour Netflix binge, youll need another 0.54 kWh.
That adds up to 1.18 kWh, but well round up to 2 kWh to account for phone charging and multiple devices running at once.
Remaining battery budget: 8 kWh
Best Battery Capacity: Redflow Zcell
When it comes to a battery with high capacity, you cant look past the RedFlow ZCell. Built using a flow design, this battery uses a Zinc Bromine liquid to run the system, making it more durable to discharge energy at full capacity than other lithium-ion based batteries. One of the smallest of its kind, the RedFlow ZCell is able to run at 100% capacity at all times and can be seamlessly integrated within an existing or new system. The ZCell also comes with 24/7 web-based battery monitoring which can be accessed via a laptop or smartphone. As is standard with most battery models, the RedFlow ZCell comes with 10 years warranty and can be coupled up with multiple other ZCells for a larger storage capacity. RedFlows batteries are also made from materials that are easily recyclable and reusable.
Price Estimate: $12,000-$13,000*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 10kWh
Whats good about this battery:
- Zinc Bromide flow battery, meaning it can use 100% of capacity every time, without damaging battery
- Well-suited to off-grid energy usage
- Can be installed within an existing or new solar system
What to look out for:
- Quite expensive to install
- Not suited to indoor installation
- Higher price tag than average battery
Don’t Miss: How Much Do Solar Panels Cost In Nj
