Want to know what is all about using Solar Battery In 2023? As I have said before, it’s best to start with a solar battery system that has been designed and tested by an expert.
In this post, we will review the top-rated solar batteries in the market. The solar batteries that we reviewed are from reputable manufacturers, so you can be sure that they will last long.
The solar batteries that we reviewed are from reputable manufacturers, so you can be sure that they will last long.
Before we get into the list of the top-rated solar batteries, here is a quick review of what solar batteries are and how they work.
What is a Solar Battery?
A solar battery is a device that stores the energy from the sun during the day and releases it at night.
To help you choose the best solar battery to pair with your solar panel system, we’ve broken down the key factors you should keep an eye out for in our 2021 solar battery buyer’s guide.
Notice Points:
- If you are looking to power your home for an extended period of time, look for batteries with high capacity ratings.
- If you want to run multiple appliances at once, you should purchase a battery with a high continuous power rating.
- If you want to maximize how much money you are saving with a solar battery, look for batteries with high round-trip efficiencies.
- If you have limited space, going for a nickel manganese cadmium (NMC) battery will be able to hold the most electricity in the smallest area.
- If safety is a main concern of yours, consider pairing your solar energy system with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Factors to consider when choosing a solar battery
1. Capacity rating
Next, we’ll show you how to calculate the usable capacity of your battery and then we’ll show you how to determine the best battery for your needs.
What is the Capacity of a Battery?
The capacity of a battery is measured in kWH or kWh. A battery’s capacity is the amount of energy that it can store. It’s measured in units of watt-hours, or kWh.
A 1,000-watt-hour (kW-h) battery can hold 1,000 watt-hours of electricity. A battery’s capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A battery’s capacity is measured in units of watt-hours, or kWh.
Forever Battery has a 30-day return policy, so if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can get a refund.
Most companies will offer you a 1-year warranty on their products. If your device doesn’t work as it should, you can take it back to the store where you purchased it and they’ll fix or replace it. This is called the manufacturer’s warranty. If you need to file a complaint or claim, you can do so through the seller.
If you have a compatible charger, you can use it to charge the battery.
You should consider batteries with usable capacity ratings of at least 10 kWh, as they’re suitable for most homeowners’ energy needs and provide a decent amount of backup power in the event of a blackout.
You can also install multiple batteries to increase the amount of electricity your energy storage system can hold.
2. Power rating
A battery’s power rating represents how much electricity it can deliver to your home at once, measured in kilowatts (kW). The power rating tells you how many – and which – appliances you can run simultaneously.
As I have said before, this is also called the nominal power rating.
The peak power rating is how much electricity the battery can put out in one short burst. This is useful when you need to quickly recharge your phone or laptop, for example. This is also called the burst power rating.
You can find these power ratings on the battery itself, or on the manufacturer’s website.
What are the different types of batteries?
There are three main types of battery:
Primary (or disposable) batteries are used to power small appliances like flashlights, radios, and toys. These batteries are designed to be used only once and then thrown away.
The peak power rating is the maximum amount of electricity a battery can release for a short period of time, which allows you to keep appliances on that need a burst of power in order to get up and running, like an air conditioner.
Most solar batteries have a continuous power rating of 5 kW and a peak power rating of 7 kW, so at the very least you should look for batteries with power ratings in this range.
Therefore, if you have a lot of appliances you want to power at once, you should consider looking for batteries with higher power ratings.
Tip! Look at power and capacity ratings together
Look at the power and capacity ratings together when you’re comparing batteries. If you have a high-capacity battery with a low power rating, you’ll only be able to power a few appliances, but you can do so for a long time.
A battery with a high power-rating but a low storage capacity will be able to power more appliances for a shorter period of time.
3. Round-trip efficiency
The round-trip efficiency of a solar battery represents the amount of energy you can use from your solar battery compared to the amount of energy it took to store that energy.
As an illustration, if you have a 30 kWh battery, then you will need a battery charger that is able to deliver at least 17 kWh of electricity in order to make the battery last for a full day.
When it comes to buying a new battery, there are a few things to consider. The first is the size of the battery. A large battery will cost more than a smaller one. But you may not want to buy a large battery if you don’t need one. It’s better to get a battery that’s just right for your needs.
The second thing to think about is the type of battery you want. Do you want a deep cycle battery or a sealed lead acid battery?
Our advice is to go for a battery with an efficiency rating of 80% or higher. Higher efficiency batteries can save more money in the long run because more of the solar electricity produced can be used by your appliances, instead of being lost to the battery storing the energy.
4. Lifespan
Further, lithium-ion batteries are not designed to be recharged more than 10 times.
The good news is that you can easily extend the life of your solar panels by storing them in a solar battery bank.
The best solar battery banks have two or more solar panels on each of their sides. This means that when you need to store power, you can connect two or more panels together to form a battery.
A battery bank is much more efficient than a single panel. In fact, if you have an array of panels that is able to generate more power than you need, you can use a battery bank to store some of that excess power and then use it later.
How long will a solar battery bank last?
There are three ways in which the battery lifespan is typically measured:
- Years
- Estimated cycles
- Estimated throughput
The battery cycle life is how many times the battery can be completely charged and discharged. The throughput is an estimate of the amount of electricity the battery will release over a period of time, and will vary depending on the starting capacity of the battery.
When shopping for batteries, look for ones that are warrantied to operate at at least 70% of their original capacity after 10 years, or 10,000 cycles, whichever comes first.
5. Battery type
A battery’s type is determined by the chemicals within it that are used to store energy. The battery type, or battery chemistry, determines almost every aspect of how the battery system will work.
Although lead-acid batteries were once the most popular battery used for solar-plus-storage systems, lithium-ion batteries have recently become the fan-favorite. There are two main types of lithium-ion batteries sold today: nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
Besides, they have an excellent capacity retention rate, which means that they can hold more energy than NMC batteries for a long time.
LFP batteries are more expensive than NMC batteries, but they have the advantage of being more environmentally friendly.
The reason why NMC batteries are used more often is because they are more energy-dense than LFP batteries. This means that you can use them to power devices with smaller energy requirements. On the other hand, LFP batteries are more energy-efficient than NMC batteries. This means that they can power devices with larger energy requirements.
The biggest disadvantage of NMC batteries is that they are more expensive than LFP batteries. Besides, they are more prone to failure.
If you want a more detailed look at the different types of solar batteries, check out our battery comparison guide.
Tip! Lead-acid batteries for off-grid vacation homes
While lead-acid batteries are no longer the deep-cycle battery of choice for full-time residences, they are still used often as solar energy storage for off-grid systems on vacation homes.
Sealed lead-acid batteries, like AGM batteries and gel batteries, can provide backup power at a low cost and are maintenance-free, so they can be left alone – meaning, you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on a home you’re only in for part of the year.
6. Safety rating
All of the solar batteries on the market meet a set of strict safety requirements in order to be professionally installed in homes. However, certain battery chemistries are a tad safer than others.
NMC lithium-ion batteries are more sensitive to temperature changes than LFP batteries, which means NMC batteries are more likely to experience something called thermal runaway (AKA catching on fire) if mishandled.
Later on, the NHTSA also found that LFP batteries had a higher failure rate than other lithium-ion batteries.
As with all lithium-ion batteries, LFPs have a limited life span. The number of charge/discharge cycles depends on the type of LFP, but they typically last between 2 and 5 years.
LFPs are safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries because they are less likely to catch fire. They also have a higher capacity than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
They are not recommended for use in any device where the battery is exposed to high temperatures.
7. Cost
Thereafter, you can expect to pay an average of $0.50 per kWh for electricity, and about $0.20 per kWh for battery energy storage.
This article is part of the The Home Solar Guide, a free online guide to home solar power and home battery storage.
There are many types of solar panels, and it’s important to know what type of panel is best suited for your home and your budget. In this article, we’ll look at two different types of solar panels: grid-tied and off-grid. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each type.
The total price is definitely good to know, but the best way to compare prices between two batteries is to look at the cost per kWh. The cost per kWh tells you how much you’ll pay for each kWh of electricity you can store in the battery.
For example, the Tesla Powerwall costs $10,500 including installation. The LG Chem RESU Prime costs around $12,000. At first glance, it seems like the Powerwall is the best deal.
Immediately, you can see that the LG Chem RESU Prime is a better deal than the Powerwall.
The second difference between the two is that the LG Chem RESU Prime can charge from solar or grid power, whereas the Powerwall only works with solar power. If you want to use the Powerwall for your home’s power needs, then you will need to install solar panels.
The third difference is that the LG Chem RESU Prime has a longer lifespan than the Powerwall. The Powerwall can last up to 10 years, whereas the LG Chem RESU Prime can last up to 15 years.
Tip! Consider more than just the cost
While cost is definitely an important aspect of picking a battery, it shouldn’t be the only factor you focus on.
Just like with a solar installation, you get what you pay for when it comes to a solar battery. You want to make sure your battery is produced by a reputable manufacturer and you choose a trustworthy installer who can properly meet your needs. Which, in some cases, means you might have to pay a bit more.
And while this trend is quite new, its growth over the next couple of years is expected to be immense. In the next 5 years, it’s expected that over 25% of all power solar systems will have some form of energy storage.
If you are planning to install a solar system paired with battery backup, you may be wondering where to start. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In this battery backup guide, we will provide you with all the information that you need about storage batteries for solar panels. And by the end of this guide, you will have all the information that you need to help you make an informed decision.
WHY ADOPT A BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM
So, why should you install a battery backup system for your home or business? Battery backup systems offer a wide range of benefits. For instance, when you pair your solar energy system with a battery backup system, you can store the extra energy produced, instead of offloading it back to the electricity grid. In short, you will be fully maximizing your solar energy system every day. And when you need more power than your solar panels can produce, you will use the energy that you stored when they were operating at maximum capacity.
Furthermore, some electricity utility companies are increasingly changing their rates, making battery backups a cost-effective investment for homeowners and businesses. If your power utility company uses any of the following rate policies, then you will realize cost-savings when you install a battery backup system for your solar power:
- Time of Use Rates (TOU): If your power utility company uses TOU rates, then it means that the cost per kWh, will depend on the time of the day. But generally, electricity costs more when demand is high – especially in the late afternoons and evenings. On the other hand, the cost per kWh will be lower during the off-peak hours. And this is during the daytime when solar panels are most productive and reliance on the grid is low. So, if your local utility company uses TOU rates, then you will realize some energy savings by using the energy stored in your battery backup during peak hours.
- Demand charges: If your power utility company applies demand charges, they will charge you a fee based on your consumption. In most cases, the fee will depend on the amount of power that you draw from the grid during peak hours. Also, the fee may be determined by the amount of power that you consume in a month. So, if your utility company uses this method, installing a battery backup system can save you some money, since you will avoid the high fees charged for using electricity during peak hours. Instead of using electricity and incurring high fees, you will rely on the power stored in your battery backup. As much as this method is mostly applied to commercial power consumers, some utilities in states like Illinois and Arizona are planning to introduce demand charges to residential customers, in an attempt to discourage over-reliance on the grid.
- Reduced or no net metering credits: If your state applies a true net metering system, then you will receive some power credits based on the amount of power that your solar panels produce. For instance, if you pay $0.65 per kWh of electricity, then you will receive a $0.65 credit on your electricity bill per month, for every kWh that your solar panels produce and offload to the grid. In such states, installing solar energy storage systems will be a worthwhile investment.
While a battery backup system may cost more to purchase and install than a traditional diesel generator, they will provide you with clean backup power, without polluting the environment. Also, it’s important to note that if you have a conventional solar panel system without a storage system, you may not enjoy all the benefits that come with installing solar power.
For instance, if there is a power outage, your home can still run optimally using the power stored in the solar energy batteries. As you can see, installing a solar energy system paired with some form of energy storage makes a lot of financial sense.
BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM TYPES
There are 4 main types of solar power storage batteries. These are lead-acid, lithium-ion (iron phosphate), lithium-ion (nickel-based) and flow batteries. Each type of battery has its strengths and drawbacks.
- Lead-acid batteries: These batteries have been around for many decades. They are arguably the most popular storage option for most people. As much as they have a shorter lifespan compared to the other batteries, they are currently the most affordable especially for home power storage. So, if you are a homeowner looking for battery backup system, then you should check out lead-acid batteries.
- Lithium-ion batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are relatively new on the market. They are more compact and lighter, compared to lead-acid batteries. Also, they come with a higher depth of discharge (DOD) than lead-acid batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries require minimal regular maintenance. But as you may expect, lithium-ion batteries are costlier than lead-acid batteries. Tesla Powerwall and Enphase are two of the most popular lithium-ion battery backups. Lithium-ion batteries are best suited for residential solar power installations, thanks to their compact design. Also, they will allow you to draw more of the power stored in the battery.
- Nickel-cadmium batteries: As much as these batteries have been around for many decades, they are not as widely used in homes as lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries. Their main benefit is their durability. Also, they can comfortably operate at extremely high temperatures. Just like lithium-ion batteries, nickel-based batteries don’t require intense regular maintenance. Their main drawback is that cadmium is highly toxic. And for this reason, some people are now replacing nickel-cadmium batteries with nickel manganese batteries.
- Flow batteries: As their name suggests, flow batteries use a liquid-based electrolyte to store power, instead of solid electrodes like those found in lithium-ion batteries. One of their main strengths is that they have a 100% DOD, meaning, you can use all the power stored in the battery without damaging its health. Also, the liquid electrolyte used in these batteries is a fire-retardant, meaning you don’t have to worry about them catching fire. They have the longest lifespan, compared to the other options, which is approximately 30 years. Also, they are low-maintenance batteries. On the other hand, they are expensive to install. Also, they require a substantial amount of space, owing to their big size. Therefore, they are best suited to large utility applications, commercial settings, as well as off-grid projects where space is not an issue.
So, which battery should you choose among the 4 options? The best battery backup system for alternative energy will depend on your needs, available space, and budget. For example, lithium-ion batteries will hold more energy and will only require a small amount of space. Furthermore, they are highly efficient, compared to lead-acid batteries. However, if you are on a budget, then lead-acid batteries may be the best option for home use.
DETERMINING YOUR SOLAR STORAGE OPTIONS
It’s extremely important to first determine your solar storage needs, before buying a solar battery. Unfortunately, most people tend to overlook this step. And in the end, they usually end up underestimating or overestimating their storage needs. Fortunately, you can easily determine your storage options using the sizing calculators that most solar battery manufacturers provide. You can use that information to determine the battery capacity that you need for your premises.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS
When it comes to buying a battery backup system, you don’t just choose any that you come across. You need to pay attention to various specifications and factors, to ensure you choose the right solar energy storage for your home or business. Having said that, here are some of the factors that you need to consider when buying a battery backup system:
- Capacity: A battery’s storage capacity refers to the amount of power that it can hold. Different batteries have different capacities. So, when buying a battery backup system, you need to ensure you choose a battery whose storage capacity can comfortably accommodate your needs.
- Price: When buying a battery backup, some customers will go for the cheapest they can find. Unfortunately, most of the cheaper battery backup systems on the market don’t last long. On the other hand, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on a battery backup system. When it comes to price, it’s advisable to buy the best battery backup system that you can afford.
- Cycle life: Cycle life refers to the number of times that a battery backup can charge and discharge before its capacity drops to below optimum levels. For instance, a battery backup system may be warrantied at 6,000 cycles or 15 years at 80% capacity. So, by the end of the warranty period, the battery shouldn’t have lost more than 20% of its original storage capacity. The more the number of cycles, the higher the price.
WHICH SOLAR STORAGE SYSTEM SHOULD YOU CHOOSE
Whether you are installing a new solar energy power system or you are planning to add a battery backup to your existing solar system, there are plenty of systems to choose from. They include DC-coupled energy systems, AC coupled energy systems, and bi-directional AC-coupled energy systems with islanding. Each system has its pros and cons. So, make sure you consult a qualified and experienced solar power installation technician before you choose a system for your home or business.
COMMERCIAL STORAGE BATTERY SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESSES
Battery backup storage solutions are not designed for homeowners only. Therefore, businesses of all sizes stand to benefit by installing battery backups for their solar systems. When you install a storage system for your solar power system, your business stands to benefit in the following ways:
- Demand reduction: Installing a battery backup system for your business will reduce your reliance on electricity. And this can significantly boost your bottom line.
- Enhanced solar power system: Some companies don’t have enough roof space to install a reliable solar power system, which may help to reduce their reliance on electricity. But when you combine a solar power system with a storage method, you will only need a few solar panels to produce adequate energy for your needs.
- Move away from back-up generators: Most businesses use diesel-powered and petrol-powered generators as their main method of power backup. The problem is, these generators emit harmful gases to the environment. Furthermore, you also need to buy petrol or diesel to keep them running. But when you shift to solar panels with a storage system, you will have a clean energy backup system. Also, you no longer have to spend money on diesel or petrol.
BATTERY STORAGE GLOSSARY
When shopping for a storage solution for your solar power system, you may come across lots of confusing terms and specifications. Some of the terms that you may come across include:
- Capacity and power: As noted earlier, capacity refers to the total amount of power that a battery backup can hold. Capacity is usually measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh. It’s also important to check the battery’s power rating, which is the amount of power it can deliver at one time.
- Depth of discharge (DOD): This refers to the amount of power a battery needs to retain when discharged. Manufacturers usually specify the maximum battery DOD to ensure optimal performance. For example, if a 20kWh battery has a DOD of 80%, then you shouldn’t use more than 18kWh of its power before you recharge it.
- Round-trip efficiency: Round-trip efficiency is the percentage of power stored in a battery backup that you can retrieve. For instance, if you store 10kWh of electricity into your battery backup and you can only retrieve 8kWh per hour from it, then it has a round-trip efficiency of 80%. A battery backup system with a high round-trip efficiency will offer more value for money.
BATTERY BACKUP STORAGE FAQS
- How long does battery backup last?
A solar battery’s reliability will depend on the make and model. But on average, you can expect a battery to last 5 to 15 years. - Can I extend the lifespan of my backup battery?
Proper maintenance and storing your battery within optimal temperature ranges can considerably extend the life of your solar batteries. - How long can battery backup power my home?
Factors such as the energy load of your own home, your batteries’ power rating, and their total capacity, and also if you’re connected to the grid, will impact the duration of your whisper.