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Your solar system might be producing a good amount of energy but if you don’t have the storage system to store it then excess energy is being wasted.

Don’t let that happen. While it is possible to send excess energy back to the grid, you are aware that high feed in tariffs are things of the past(It’s reducing rapidly). The best option is to store that energy in the night and use it for self consumption.

The energy companies charge more during peak hours and if you use the battery in those peak hours, it is possible to to reduce your energy bill even further.

It also reduces the carbon footprint. As you use more clean energy, you are contributing to the safety of the environment.

The battery was invented a long time ago (early1800) but the solar power battery storage systems are relatively new.

Here are the direct benefits which you can get from the battery storage system.

a. It can help you reduce the reliance on the grid.

b. Provide electricity during outages

c. Maximize the energy used from solar panels by storing it.

d. It can help in reducing the energy bills if used during peak hours where regular tariffs are higher.

What is battery capacity?

It is the usable amount of energy in the battery system. All the battery systems have something which is called the depth of discharge (DoD).

So the battery capacity is measured in depth of discharge. Most of the battery systems can’t have the 100% depth of discharge which means you can’t draw 100% energy from the system.

For example if a 10 kWh battery has a DoD of 75%, it can provide 7.5kWh of usable energy.

Lithium ion battery is more efficient than Lead-acid battery as lead-acid battery has 30-50% of DoD while Lithium-ion battery has DOD of 80% & above.

How long do batteries last?

The battery systems which are available in the market typically come with a warranty period of 2-10 years and it differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The capacity of the battery will gradually reduce over the period of time with use. It generally lasts more than the provided warranty period.

The standard practice while offering a warranty from dealers is “energy throughput” of the system. Which means the battery can store and deliver that amount of energy. (Timeline can vary based on the usage)

The Lithium-ion batteries are more efficient and their energy throughput ranges in 4000-6000 cycles (charges/discharges of the battery) at 80% discharge rate. 

And expected life of around 10 years.

What different types of batteries are available?

1. Lithium Ion batteries 

The popularity of lithium-ion batteries is increasing day by day in solar panels and soon it will become the main technology which will be used in solar batteries.

The mobile & laptop (portable devices) companies have been using Lithium-ion batteries in all of their devices for a long time now.

The reduced cost and increased production in recent years makes it an excellent option for storing solar power.  

It’s an efficient option than Lead-acid battery.

Advantages of Lithium-ion battery

a. Lighter weight and higher voltage

b. Higher capacity & storage 

c. Longer cycle life and greater depth of discharge(DoD)

d. Less maintenance due to inbuilt battery management systems.

e. Takes less space.

Dis-advantages of Lithium-ion battery

a. It’s a lesser known technology 

b. Cost

c. Limitations in operating temperature range.

d. Recycling programs in Australia are still in the starting phase but expanding rapidly.

2. Lead Acid batteries – Advantages & Disadvantages

The technology used in lead-acid batteries are similar to batteries used in car batteries. It is commonly used in remote rural areas. In remote rural areas, connections to the grid are expensive. The advancement in these batteries has made it cheaper and low maintenance to use.

Advantages of Lead-acid battery

a. Relatively cheaper than Lithium-ion batteries.

b. Easily recyclable and have commercial value after being recycled.

c. Well-understood and advanced in the technology.

d. Easy to buy.

How big are battery storage systems?

The battery storage systems can be used based on your consumption requirement. The lead-acid batteries are generally bigger than Lithium-ion batteries.

Is battery storage applicable if there is feed in tariff?

Yes. Again, it will depend on your consumption and what’s the size of the battery you are using.

A CEC accredited will calculate the potential savings after doing your load analysis and will suggest to you the right size of the battery for home needs.

Rk Solar is CEC accredited installer which has been in the business for 12+ years.

How to go completely off grid?

If a customer wants to go completely off grid, that is also possible.

There are few things which need to be considered.

a. The battery storage system should be large enough to handle power needs at all times which includes peak time as well. Which means a large storage system needs to be installed.

b. Large systems present different challenges due to their physical size. It will require proper planning and connections. Generally off-grid systems are complex to design and install.

c. Backup system will be required in case something goes wrong.

What happens if clients move house?

Solar panels can move if clients decide to move their house. In some cases the product’s standard may change, in that case it needs to be re-installed by an accredited installer.

What are the safety standards?

Battery storage system has its own risk just like any other electrical equipment.

If the battery systems are installed according to Australian standards and being used & maintained properly then it’s safe.

But you should be aware of the risk involved in case something happens.

a. Chemical, fire or explosive risks. It is similar to a gas service. For the same reason, it is advisable not to smoke near the battery system and keep checking at regular intervals whether there is any gas leakage near the battery system.

b. Smaller children and pets should be kept away from the battery storage system.

c. Non-flammable gases may escape which possess a risk of inhaling noxious gas.

d. Battery systems do heat up during usage and emit some sort of radiation. You shouldn’t touch go nearby.(Maintain safe distance)

What type of maintenance is required for the battery?

The lifetime of a battery is highly dependent on how the system is used and maintained.

If used and maintained properly it can outlast the warranty period and provide great return on investment. The ambient temperature also affects the performance of the battery systems and should be checked regularly.

System Monitoring

Most systems have a display on the battery system itself. It has indicators such as operating mode and state of charge.

Some systems can support remote display options that can be installed somewhere in the house.

In some cases, they provide you an app which you can install on the phone and keep an eye on the system.

Inspections

There might be inspection from the authorities in your area to make sure the system is properly installed. It can be done even before the system can be connected to the grid.

What Kind of warranties are available from the seller?

The warranty period for the battery system will range from 2 to 10 years.

The battery system which we suggest our customer to use, their warranty period ranges from 5-10 years.

If you face any issue in the battery and it is still under warranty, you should connect with the retailer to find the solution.

They will inspect the problem and will suggest to you the right solution.

How much power do you need from the system?

It will depend on the overall consumption. As long as the solar panel is connected to the grid. The battery storage system doesn’t need to provide the power to all the power requirements.

Multiple systems can be used to meet your requirement.