Get Power From A Home Solar Battery Bank
“The holy grail is being able to store solar energy for use when the sun isn’t out.” These are the words of Julie Franz, and for a good reason, they are true. Although solar energy has shown enormous potential, the limitation of storage is a big one. In this article, we will discuss why adding a home solar battery bank to your solar project can benefit you long-term.
In the mid 1950s, Bell Labs created an invention that changed the narrative—solar batteries. One of the primary concerns of going solar was addressed: what happens when the sun isn’t out? Let’s delve into the world of the home solar battery bank and understand how it works, different types of batteries, capacity, and pricing.
What Is a Solar Battery?
A solar battery is a gadget that stores the surplus energy your solar system generates. You can use the stored power to run your home at night and during cloudy days when solar power production is low. Another option is selling excess electricity to power grid suppliers, like our partner Sonnen®’s battery rewards program: connect
During the day, your solar panels may produce more energy than you need for your home. Under California’s old Net-Energy-Metering 2.0 program, you could send excess energy back to the grid and be compensated at market value for the energy you produce. However, in December of 2022, the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) voted to pass a new policy that has drastically reduced the benefits solar customers receive from producing their own solar energy. Under NEM 3.0, the export rate for electricity generated by household solar panels has been reduced by around 75%, from an average of 30 cents per kWh to 8 cents per kWh.
As of April 13th, 2023, if there is no way to harness the power produced by your solar panels, it could go to waste. A solar battery helps to provide a solution by storing your power for use at night or during winter when production is low.
Types of Solar Batteries
This is a relatively new technology that is gaining popularity in solar energy storage. Tesla launched their first lithium-ion battery product in 2015, “Powerwall 1”. Today, litium-ion batteries are the top-selling batteries on the market for solar. They are made from graphite, cobalt, or lithium, which makes them more expensive than other options. Because of the high energy density, the batteries are lighter and take longer to discharge.
Lithium-ion solar batteries are deep cycle batteries, which means you can use more of the energy that’s stored in a lithium-ion battery without having to charge it as often. This is why lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of batteries for a home battery storage. Installing a lithium-ion solar battery in your house can last you anywhere from 15 to 25 years on average.
Advantages
- They have a high energy density
- They are lighter
- Lithium-ion batteries store more energy
Disadvantages
- They require professional installation
- They are prone to explosions due to thermal runaway
Lead-acid batteries are the most common type of battery. The solar battery can be categorized further, depending on application and electrolyte.
Application-based categories are deep-cycle and starter batteries. As the name suggests, starter batteries are used in the ignition of vehicles. On the other hand, deep-cycle batteries are common in the solar power industry.
Based on the electrolyte used, this type of battery can be categorized into wet and dry-cell. Wet-cell or flooded battery storage contains a liquid electrolyte like sulphuric acid and requires regular topping up with distilled water. Dry-cell batteries use gel electrolytes, which makes them more durable.
An example of a lead-acid battery is your common car battery. Typical car batteries are either 350, 450 and 600 CCA. The bigger the figure, the better a battery will start a car, especially in cold weather.
Advantages
- The price is lower
- They have a high power output
- They are easily rechargeable
Disadvantages
- They have a short lifespan
- They require regular maintenance
Because cadmium is a highly toxic element, these batteries are uncommon in residential solar energy storage. The batteries are common in aero and industrial applications because they can withstand high temperatures and are durable.
Flow or redox batteries use the reduction-oxidation process. They contain a proton membrane that separates 2 electrolytes. Electricity is stored by reducing one liquid and oxidizing the other. The complex nature of this system makes the batteries impractical in small-scale applications, like solar energy storage at home.
Deep Cycle Battery Used For Home Solar
Deep cycle batteries are ideal for solar panel systems because they are designed to be discharged and recharged repeatedly without damage, which is essential for a battery that is used regularly to store solar energy.
What Size Solar Battery Bank Do I Need For My Home?
While the size of your home solar system will depend greatly on your energy usage and goals, there are a few common sizes people get for their households. Most people get a 10kWh which typically can cover bare minimum appliances in case of a power outage.
A 10 kWh solar battery can provide backup power for essential appliances during a power outage, such as refrigerators, lights, and medical equipment.
If you are looking to have other major appliances running on solar power such as heaters, water wells, and air conditioning, you may have to reach out and speak with one of our solar experts.
Solar Power Battery Capacity and Pricing
The battery capacity refers to the amount of electricity it can store in the battery bank. This number is expressed in terms of kilowatts per hour (kWh). Most homes require 6-10 kWh of battery size to run on solar power.
You can connect several batteries to create enough storage for your office or home consumption. It is advisable not to use more than 95% of the power stored in your battery for maximum durability. Apart from that, this helps you retain some energy to power your solar inverter in the morning.
The price of most solar power battery storage ranges between $8,000 and $12,000, depending on the size and manufacturer. A 4kWh can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000.
The cost of battery bank installation for a residential solar battery (10-12 kWh) is between $2,000 and $8,000. Therefore, the average cost of buying the equipment and installation is $15,000.
Is a Solar Battery Bank Worth It?
Most people see the initial price as prohibitive when they want to store solar power. However, if you calculate the payback period for most solar battery storage systems, it is worth it. Apart from that, you can use the net-metering option to recoup some of the money spent on installation and purchase. Most governments also offer solar tax reliefs to encourage citizens to go for clean and renewable power.
Solar energy is a clean power source and aids in the fight against global warming. Having an energy bank also provides a reliable alternative to run your home without power outages. If off-grid living is something that interests you, a solar battery is a perfect solution. At Solar Negotiators, we are able to help homeowners and businesses become grid independent through solar and battery storage solutions.
