Key Points To Know When You Upgrade Your Solar Battery

Installing solar power at home is a viable option if you want to make your home eco-friendlier and sustainable. Even though the initial cost of installing this equipment can be substantial, it will be cheaper in the long run.

Batteries are one of the most crucial parts of a solar power system. They’re peripherals to the solar photovoltaics (PV) system that serve as a storage device for solar energy. Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity, which is then sent to the inverter for storage and consumption through the battery, which lets you save this electricity for later use.

Typically, a solar battery is an add-on component. With this, you might’ve gone with one that had the lesser capacity, especially if you’re connected to your neighborhood’s electricity grid. However, as with any other tool used for power, it’s always best to get the biggest storage that you can afford.

Key factors to check when you upgrade your solar battery

If you’re planning to upgrade your solar battery, here are some key factors that you should check:

Battery Life

Solar batteries for residential use usually go through their cycle of charge and drain daily. Due to this, they undergo normal wear & tear that most equipment goes through, which limits their lifespan.

Similar to smartphones, a solar inverter battery’s ability to retain a charge decreases over time, especially if you use it daily. This is one of the primary reasons why you should set aside a budget for upgrading your solar energy components after a few years. Lithium-ion batteries last much longer than any other battery types available in the market currently.

Further, when setting up your solar system, you need to check the type of company that’s selling the batteries. Many manufacturers from different industries such as automotive companies and tech startups are creating solar energy systems and peripherals.

While the former may have more extensive experience in developing products, the latter might be able to provide you with future-proof technology. With this, you have to think about your needs to ensure that you can fill the gaps in your home’s solar energy system.

Warranty

While most manufacturers provide a warranty on their products, you still have to find the best deal when you upgrade your solar battery. This way, you can be sure that you’ll get the best quality equipment and the most value for your money.

The usual setup for solar battery warranties involves calculating the number of charge-discharge cycles or the years of useful life. For instance, a brand may guarantee replacement if their product breaks down after 5,000 cycles. Another way that companies may go about this is to change your battery if it only holds a 70% charge below its original capacity after 10 years.

Sometimes, both factors are taken into consideration by the manufacturer. You may be getting the best deal from companies that offer this arrangement since their guarantee implies that they believe in the quality of their products.

Power and Capacity

You must also consider both the power and capacity of your solar batteries. Power is the amount of electricity that a battery can deliver at a given time and uses the kilowatt (kW) measurement. Capacity, on the other hand, is how much energy you can store in each battery, which is typically stackable and is measured by kilowatt-hours (kWh).

These factors are crucial when upgrading your solar battery. You might have started out using solar energy for various appliances that consume high volumes of electricity such as your fridge, washing machine, and electric oven, and now want to include other devices as well.

Having a high-capacity battery with a low power rating gives you the electricity to run only a few appliances for an extended period. Conversely, a low-capacity battery with high power can provide energy for your entire property, but only for a few hours at most.

Depth of Discharge

Depth of discharge (DoD) is the degree by which you can use your battery based on its total capacity. If a 20-kWh product has a 90% DoD, you shouldn’t consume more than 18 kWh before recharging it. A higher DoD percentage lets you use more of the battery’s capacity, providing your home with more energy when you need it.

Conclusion

You should consider various factors before updating your current solar power system, whether you want to save more money in the future or just make your home more efficient energy-wise. Check the battery life of additional components as well as the warranty that manufacturers offer for them. Calculate its power and capacity then make sure that it aligns with your energy needs. Lastly, make sure that you understand the role that the DoD feature plays in the capacity of the batteries.