Solar batteries play a pivotal role in the world of renewable energy.
When the sun goes down each night or weather conditions limit available sunlight, a solar battery can enable sustainable renewable energy use at home and keep your power on even during local power outages.
If you are thinking about going solar or already have solar panels installed, a solar battery can enhance your energy independence. By storing excess solar energy, you will have greater control over your power consumption, reduce ongoing electricity costs, and lower your carbon emissions.
In this article, we outline the most common types of solar batteries and walk through everything you need to know to make the best energy storage decisions for your home or property.
Types of solar batteries used today
Today, many homes and businesses have started to prefer lithium-ion solar battery technology to store energy safely and efficiently. Even though several other solar battery chemistries are available today, a lithium-ion-based system will almost always be the best overall storage solution for a home.
| Lead-acid batteries | Lithium-ion batteries | |
| Technologies | Flooded or sealed, AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat), Gel (Gelled Electrolytes) | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), and more |
| About | The oldest and cheapest storage technology, such as batteries in combustion engine vehicles | Solar batteries with superior energy density, safety, efficiency, availability, and lifespan |
| Applications | Small DIY solar installations with a tight budget | Ideal for residential and commercial solar energy storage |
| Safety | Generally safe, but may become hazardous if handled incorrectly | The safest home solar battery technology available in the market, with built-in thermal management features |
| Maintenance | Often requires regular maintenance and upkeep | Minimal maintenance required outside of routine inspections |
| Performance | Moderate efficiencies, slow charging, and low depth of discharge (50% to 80%) | High efficiencies, fast charging, and high depth of discharge (80% to 98%) |
| Lifespan | Short (3 to 7 years), depending on the technology and upkeep | Medium to long (5 to 20 years), depending on battery chemistry and quality |
| Energy density, size, and weight | Low-density, bulky, and heavy | Dense, compact, and relatively lightweight |
While lead-acid batteries may be yesterday’s technology, lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for homeowners going solar today. Although lithium-ion batteries may have a higher upfront cost than lead-acid alternatives, they provide greater efficiency, higher storage capacity and longer lifespans, making them a smarter long-term investment.
Factors to consider when choosing a solar battery
Within the realm of lithium-ion solar batteries, many different products are currently available with various capabilities, price points, and intended uses.
1. Home solar battery capacity and quantity
A solar battery’s capacity determines how much energy can be stored and used in your home or exported to the electricity grid. Although prices naturally rise with increased storage capacity, larger battery systems can be more valuable in offsetting all or most of your utility electricity expenses.
If sustained power during local outages is your primary motivation for a solar battery, rather than total energy independence, then you may not necessarily need to install a large backup reserve. Instead, you could opt for a smaller capacity and lower-cost system to run your home or property’s essentials.
Today, most solar batteries can be “stacked” to find the optimal storage capacity to meet your energy goals and budget. Just as solar microinverters make it easy to add solar panels later in the life of your home energy system, it may also be possible to incorporate additional solar batteries after an initial storage installation.
2. Solar battery size and installation requirements
When choosing your home solar battery, you may find that various products have differing installation guidelines or requirements. Provided there’s enough space on your property, most high-quality lithium-ion solar batteries can be mounted onto the wall indoors or outdoors and are typically found in utility rooms, and other non-living spaces.
3. AC-coupled vs. DC-coupled battery
Lithium-ion solar batteries may be AC or DC-coupled, depending on the design of your energy system. In general, AC-coupled batteries are considered easier to install or replace on an existing system and allow you to store electricity from your solar panels or the energy grid.
When designing your home solar power system, it’s important to talk to your installer about plausible storage options and whether an AC or DC-coupled solar battery will make more sense for your installation.
4. Solar battery efficiency and features
While all solar batteries are built to store and discharge renewable energy, a battery’s “round-trip efficiency” represents how well it can do so. Round-trip efficiency is calculated by comparing the amount of energy you can retrieve from the battery to the amount initially stored. For example, if you store 100 units of energy and can retrieve 85 units, the round-trip efficiency is 85%.
Beyond efficiency alone, many of today’s top solar batteries come with advanced features that help you manage your home’s electricity generation and consumption more effectively. One such feature is the ability to optimise energy usage based on your electricity tariff. In a ‘Single Rate Tariff’, the electricity rate remains constant throughout the day. In a ‘Time of Use Tariff’, rates fluctuate based on the time of day. With the right settings, your battery can automatically use stored energy during high-cost periods, maximising savings and efficiency during peak rate times.
The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2023, in India mandated the implementation of Time of Day (ToD) tariffs for commercial and industrial consumers with a maximum demand exceeding 10 kW by April 2024, and for all other non-agricultural consumers by April 2025. This tariff has already been adopted in several key states and is expected to expand to other states and residential consumers soon, aiming to optimise energy usage and reduce costs.
5. Warranty and expected lifespan
Finally, a solar battery’s warranty coverage is the best way to guarantee your energy independence and ensure your investment in electricity storage will be worth it. Along with the included warranty period, a solar battery may be more likely to perform for its expected lifespan when purchased from a reputable brand rather than a riskier or cheaper alternative.
Key takeaways and designing your solar battery system
In short, there are several types of solar batteries, but lithium-ion systems are the most common and the best overall technology for residential use today.
With a highly efficient and advanced lithium-ion solar battery, you can increase the capabilities of your renewable power system—which in turn, reduces home energy bills and your carbon footprint.
Built for safety, efficiency, and reliability, ţţ淨r IQ Batteries can help you reach your energy goals. Tested to rigorous safety standards above market requirements, ţţ淨r IQ 5P Batteries include an industry-leading 15-year limited warranty and offer full control of your solar power and ongoing electricity expenses with the ţţ淨r App.
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