When thinking about switching to a solar energy system, most of us start looking for panels and inverters first. However, there’s one other essential component that flies under most of our radars – solar batteries.
And choosing the right solar batteries for your residential solar system can be tricky. There are numerous varieties of solar batteries available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. We’ve broken down the most crucial metrics to consider while choosing a solar battery backup for your solar system.
What is a Solar Battery?
A solar power battery is a device that stores electrical energy for later use to keep appliances running during a power outage. With so many varieties of solar batteries available in the market finding the right battery is the key to adequate energy and cost-efficient solar systems.
The four main types of solar battery technologies that integrate well with a residential solar energy system are tubular lead acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and saltwater batteries.
Choosing a Battery System
Solar products in India are becoming increasingly popular among households. To choose the best solar energy storage system that fits your requirements, here are a few key metrics to help you choose the best battery for your solar system.
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Capacity Rating
Capacity is nothing but the total amount of electricity (measured in kilowatt-hours) a solar energy battery can store when charged fully. Choosing a battery with high capacity ratings allows you to power your home for an extended period of time. The usable capacity dictates how long the battery can supply electricity to your home.
Some batteries show two capacity ratings: usable capacity and total capacity. The one you must pay more attention to is the usable capacity. The one solar battery you want to go for is a battery with a usable capacity rating of at least 10kWh.
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Safety Rating
All solar batteries are required to meet certain safety requirements in order to get certified for both domestic and commercial use. However, certain battery chemistries are a tad safer than other counterparts. If safety is your main concern, you must consider pairing your solar energy system with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. LFP batteries are more resistant to high temperatures and thus have lower chances of catching fire.
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Power Rating
A battery’s power rating refers to the amount of power it can provide at once, measured in kilowatts(kW) or Amps. In other words, the power rating tells you how many and which appliances can be powered by the battery.
Solar batteries usually have two power ratings: continuous power rating and peak power rating. Most solar batteries have a continuous power rating of 5kW and a power rating of 7kW. Consider looking for batteries with power ratings in this range. For high-power requirements, you should go for a high continuous power rating solar battery.
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Round Trip Efficiency
A certain amount of power is lost when you store electricity in a battery and take it out again i.e. when you invert electricity from DC to AC. Roundtrip efficiency tells you how many units of electricity you’ll get out of a battery for every unit of electricity you put into it.
It is recommended to look for batteries with higher roundtrip efficiency if you want to get the most out of every kilowatt-hour of electricity you put into your battery.
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Battery Lifespan
Battery lifespan is the measure of the longevity of a battery with regular use. With continuous use, a battery gradually loses its ability to hold a charge.
A battery lifespan is typically measured in years, estimated cycles, and estimated throughput. Consider going for solar products for home warrantied to operate at least 70% of their original capacity after 10 years or 10,000 cycles.
Find the right solar battery with Genus Innovation
It’s hard to say. The right battery choice may depend on your specific power needs. Generally, it depends on several factors including the size of your home, the characteristics of your solar installation, and your goals from the solar energy system.
If you have large premises with lots of appliances, you can go for a high-capacity battery that can provide hours of supply. And if the price is your concern, then going for a smaller battery with great battery integration can be a smart choice.