Your Ultimate Guide to Solar Batteries For Your Home in 2024
Solar panels have completely revolutionised energy production, but what about when the sun goes down?
Common concerns about solar often include:
Does my solar power still work at night and in low-light conditions?
What happens to the excess energy my solar panel captures?
Can we count on solar power to provide most of our energy at home?
This is where solar batteries come in.
Thanks to advancements in technology, solar power is now more dependable than ever. For example, microinventers make solar panels work efficiently even when partly shaded.
On top of that, solar batteries help solar power systems perform even better. It enables the optimisation of energy consumption. They store excess energy for use during periods of higher demand or when solar panels generate less power. Solar batteries are essential if your goal is to reduce grid dependence during outages or peak usage.
If you've read this far, you're likely considering purchasing a solar battery for your home. But before jumping right into it, let us guide you in making the right choice for your home. We could help you avoid later disappointments and maximise your solar savings.
Solar Batteries 101
Before we dive in, it's best to familiarise yourself with some key terms that you'll be seeing a lot when doing your own research:
Peak Draw: It's the maximum power you can draw from the batteries at any one time. The higher the Peak Draw, the shorter the life of the battery itself.
Solar Battery Cycles: A ‘battery cycle’ is one complete discharge and recharge. The life of a battery is measured by the number of cycles you would be expected to get from it.
Depth of Discharge: This means how deeply you can discharge the battery per cycle. For example, if a 10kWh battery has a DOD of 90%, you could use 9kWh per day/cycle. If it has 50%, you can use/draw 5kWh and so on.Advantages of Solar Batteries
How Do Solar Batteries Work?
Solar batteries play a crucial role in maximising the benefits of your solar system.
During daylight hours, solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity through a process called photovoltaic (PV) conversion. This energy is then available for immediate use in your home.
However, not all the electricity generated by your solar panels is consumed instantly. The surplus energy is stored in the solar battery system for later use.
Inside the solar battery, chemical reactions take place to store this surplus electricity as potential energy. Think of it as charging up a giant rechargeable battery.
Now, let’s fast-forward to a cloudy day or nighttime when the sun isn’t shining.
When you turn on your lights or appliances in your home, the stored energy in the solar battery is converted back into usable electricity.
The battery seamlessly supplies power to your home during these periods when the power generated from solar is insufficient.
Advantages of Solar Batteries
While the return on investment is often a focal point of discussions surrounding solar energy systems, the conversation shouldn't end there. Solar batteries offer a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond mere financial gains. Here are a few key ones:
Save on Your Power Bills
Any excess energy produced by your solar panels is stored in the battery, acting as a personal power bank.
When the sun sets or cloudy weather limits your panels' production, the battery powers your home. It eliminates the need to draw from the grid, especially during peak demand hours when electricity rates are typically higher.
This self-reliance reduces your dependence on the grid, resulting in lower electricity bills.
Protect Yourself From Blackouts
Solar batteries, offering a lifeline during power outages. Solar batteries serve as a resilient backup, ensuring continuous electricity supply when the grid fails.
In regions prone to frequent blackouts or areas with unreliable grid infrastructure, such as remote locations or storm-affected areas, solar batteries provide uninterrupted power for essential appliances and critical systems. Beyond immediate convenience, blackout protection enhances safety and security, particularly in emergencies, by maintaining lighting, communication devices, and medical equipment functionality.
Reduce Reliance On The Grid
By storing surplus energy generated during peak sunlight hours, you can then sell this excess electricity to utility companies. This not only offsets your own energy costs but also aids in balancing the grid by providing additional renewable energy during times of high demand.
Choosing Solar Batteries
Picking the right solar battery brand for your home is essential to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of your solar energy system. Here are some quick tips:
Assess Your Energy Needs
It's crucial to understand your household's energy consumption patterns. Consider factors such as peak energy usage times, the number of appliances you use, and your overall electricity usage habits. This assessment will help you determine the size and capacity of the solar battery required to meet your needs.
Assess Installation Requirements
Consider the installation requirements and compatibility of the solar battery with your existing solar power system. Ensure the battery integrates seamlessly with your solar panels, inverter, and other components.
Consult Experts
Speak with solar energy experts or installers who can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your specific requirements and budget.
In Australia, there are a number of solar batteries brands available but based on our experience, we only recommend two best ones based on their performance, warranty and price.
Tesla Powerwall
Tesla Powerwall is one of the leading home battery solutions in Australia. Powerwall's 13.5kWh capacity covers the evening needs of most households. Additionally, it provides backup power during outages, keeping your home safe and comfortable even in emergencies.
It also offers a real-time monitoring system through the Tesla app. The Tesla app lets you monitor your home's energy usage and Powerwall performance. Backed by a 10-year warranty, you can be confident in the long-lasting performance of your Powerwall.
Enphase IQ Battery
Enphase solar battery offers a revolutionary solution for homeowners looking to maximise their solar power usage. It utilises the safest available technology and modular design, making it expandable to meet your growing needs.
Enphase solar batteries leverage two cycles per day. This process means they can be discharged and recharged twice within 24 hours. Compared to other solar battery solutions, they require half the storage capacity. This means you need less battery storage capacity, so the initial cost is lower.
Similar to Tesla Powerwall, Enphase Battery has an energy management system. The Enphase Energy Management System provides real-time usage insights and even receives remote updates. Enphase prioritises intelligent software that learns your energy usage patterns and adapts to your future needs. It ensures efficient energy management and a system that grows with you.
The Price Of Solar Batteries Cost in Sydney & Melbourne
The price of solar battery storage varies depending on factors like your surplus solar power, energy consumption, and specific goals.
Generally, prices start around $10,000 for smaller Enphase systems, while larger options like the Tesla Powerwall may require an investment of around $14,000 to 16,000 for full installation.
What Finance Options Are Available?
The Victorian government provides eligible homeowners with an interest-free loan of up to $8,800 to install battery storage systems in their homes. The loan, to be repaid within four years, covers the upfront costs associated with purchasing and installing the battery, allowing homeowners to access clean energy solutions without the burden of immediate expenditure.
Those who are not eligible Victoria's program can consider other finance options including green loans or other interest-free payment plans. There are. certain advantages and disadvantages to these options so it's very important that you understand the terms before making a decision.
Finding The Right Installer For Your Solar Batteries
There are a number of companies claiming to be expert solar battery installers but you need to be careful selecting one. You're investing towards your home and you want this to be done right.
The key things to look at when choosing an installer are:
Years of experience in the industry
Good quality battery brands
Reputation and reviews
Whether they're using CEC Accredited Installers
More Solar Batteries Resources
This solar battery guide should be enough to give you the confidence to make the right decision before purchasing a solar battery for your home. But if you're looking for more information about solar, we've got a few more for you:
Blog: Solar 101: Everything You Need To Know Before Investing In Solar For Your Home
Free Download: Solar Battery Storage Guide
Free Download: Solar Power Guide