Is your household powered by solar energy? In sunny regions, it’s common for solar panels to generate more electricity than a family needs. Instead of selling electricity back to the grid, you can store the power for later use.
Solar-powered batteries are the perfect storage system, storing enough energy for homeowners to power their households in the event of a power outage or cloudy weather. There are numerous solar energy solution providers offering emergency solar batteries for optimal power management.
We hope these tips assist you in choosing the right solar-plus-storage alternative.
Consider capacity and power
The inceptive factor to consider when looking for such a household storage system is the capacity of the solar battery, expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This feature refers to the electricity amount the device is able to store. Some models come with a stackable feature, allowing homeowners to stack a couple of batteries to boost capacity.
Moreover, the power rating of these devices speaks volumes about their capacity for delivering electricity. For instance, a high-capacity battery with minimal power rating will provide low levels of electricity to power your household for a longer timeframe. In contrast, a low-capacity model with a high power rating would provide substantial electricity amounts over a short period.
Consequently, selecting the best size of a storage system is essential for powering your household on a cloudy day. Make sure you consider the average sunlight amount in your area, as well as your daily electricity usage when making a decision.
Consider the depth of discharge (DoD)
Another indispensable factor to have in mind when shopping for such a system is the depth of discharge. This feature refers to the retention of some charge for the purpose of preventing fast degradation. Using a hundred percent of its charge isn’t recommended because of lifespan shortening. Manufacturers are specific when it comes to denoting the maximum DoD in order to ensure the best performance. Check out this website for an explanation of the depth of discharge concept.
When in the market for a solar storage system, always check the DoD of the battery. In the event of purchasing a 10 kWh model with a 90% depth of discharge, you’ll be required to use a maximum of 9 kWh of the nominal capacity. The higher the depth of discharge, the better the possibility of utilizing nominal capacity.
Check out round-trip efficiency
The following factor to take into account is round-trip efficiency. It refers to the amount of energy the battery stores in relation to the amount it puts out. For instance, feeding the device with 10 kWh but getting 8 kWh in return indicates a round-trip efficiency of 80%.
Homeowners looking for an economic solution should purchase a model with high round-trip efficiency. The higher the efficiency, the larger the economic value of the device. The type of battery plays a significant role in the amount of round-trip efficiency. Hence, lithium models are considered the most efficient, with an efficiency of over 90%.
Battery life
When looking for the right solar-plus-storage option, the lifespan of the battery is of crucial importance. A single cycle refers to the process of charging and draining the device on a daily basis. After a certain period of use, its ability to hold charge will gradually reduce, hence using a smaller portion of its initial capacity.
For example, the majority of batteries come with a warranty of 5,000 cycles, enabling homeowners to use seventy percent of its nominal capacity for as long as ten years. Nevertheless, towards the end of the warranty period, the device will use at least thirty percent less than its original capacity. The following link, https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/solar-plus-storage-101, provides excellent insight into solar-plus-storage systems.
Consider the charging time
Charging time is another important factor to take into account, particularly for residents of areas with short periods of sunlight. Lithium batteries are the most convenient when it comes to charging, taking no more than three hours for the process to complete. Conversely, lead-acid models require a longer period to charge, up to a day.
Final word
A solar-plus-storage system is vital for homeowners using solar energy to power their homes!