How Much Does A Solar Battery Cost?

Solar Battery Cost

A solar battery is an interesting topic for people considering having solar panels. While solar batteries are quite popular, many people still don't know what solar batteries are and what they are used for. Solar batteries are devices that help you conserve energy for later use.

Combining the solar panel and a solar battery creates a hybrid solar system. This system comes with many advantages in that you are independent of the power grid system and have a backup when there is a blackout. The cost of solar batteries ranges from $500 to $2000, depending on several factors such as installation cost, solar rebate, and more.

Solar batteries have been around for a long time and have many benefits. The first solar battery was created in 1893, and since then, it has become tremendously evolved and is known worldwide. Solar panels and batteries are photovoltaic devices, and the process is known as the photovoltaic effect. This article will look at solar batteries in more detail and what determines their cost.

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Solar Batteries

Quality of the Battery

Not all solar batteries are the same; some are stronger and more functional than others. It is advisable that when purchasing your solar battery, you prioritise quality over cost. You might also want to consider purchasing solar batteries with a good warranty.

Solar Battery Manufacturer

The solar battery cost largely depends on the battery manufacturer because of branding. Some brands are more expensive than others, while some are more functional than others. For instance, the Tesla power wall is an example of a solar battery brand that offers good solar batteries.

Solar Battery Size

The size of a solar battery affects its cost as well; the more extensive the solar battery capacity, the more expensive it is. Solar batteries range from 2kwh to 15kwh, depending on the amount of power you need.

Cost of Installation

It doesn't stop at purchasing your solar battery; the installation cost is a significant expense to consider. It is advisable to install your solar battery and panels together. This helps you save on extra costs you may need to pay for wiring and other costs.

Solar Rebates and Incentives

The cost of solar batteries and their installation depends on your area's incentives and solar rebates. These help you cut costs and get the solar battery cheaper than what you would usually have paid for it.

Battery Chemistry

There are different types of batteries, including lithium ions, lead-acid batteries, and saltwater batteries. The prices of these types of solar batteries differ in cost.

What Solar Batteries Are Best For Storage?

The solar battery options for your home can be either the saltwater battery, lead-acid battery, or lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery works best but costs more than the other two.

Saltwater Batteries

This battery is a more recent type of battery storage; it is environmentally friendly and does not contain heavy metals. It uses saltwater electrolytes that have a good recycling potential but requires a unique process to dispose of. Considering that this battery is a recent discovery, it is not advisable to use because it has not undergone thorough testing and has not been as available as the other solar batteries.

Lead-acid Batteries

This type of battery storage is mainly used in off-grid systems because they have a short product life. They are, however, a less expensive option when compared to lithium-ion.

Lithium-ion Batteries

This is a recent solar battery that is lightweight and dense. It is more expensive when compared to the rest but lasts longer. When purchasing a solar battery, it is advisable to get a lithium-ion battery as lithium-ion batteries have a better shelf life. Still, if you consider cost, you might want to go for a lead-acid battery.

Lithium-ion Solar Battery Storage

Lithium-ion solar batteries are paired with solar energy systems to store power. Tesla Powerwall in 2015 announced the production of a Lithium-ion battery. This battery has since been widely accepted due to its functionality.

Lithium-ion batteries cost about $7000 to $15,000. These prices depend on the type of manufacturer, the features of the battery, the number of batteries you need, and the cost of installation.

Lithium-ion battery storage has many benefits, but it also has disadvantages.

Pros of a Lithium-ion Battery

The advantages of using this solar battery include:

• Long shelf life: Lithium-ion batteries have a long product span, so they do not need to be changed frequently. These solar batteries have a lifespan of ten years as compared to the lead-acid battery.
• More functional and efficient: Although the lithium-ion battery is a recent discovery, it is known to be highly efficient compared to other solar batteries.
• Fewer repairs and maintenance: Lithium-ion batteries do not require as much care as other batteries, especially lead-acid batteries. Most people prefer to get a Lithium battery because it is 95% efficient.
• Higher Depth of Depletion: This is the amount of energy in solar batteries that have been used. This helps to maintain the battery storage and health to last for an extended period.

Cons of a Lithium-ion Battery

The disadvantages of using a lithium-ion battery include:

• The cost: Lithium-ion batteries are expensive compared to other types of solar batteries. It might not be easy to get if you can't afford it, especially when there are cheaper options. However, you might want to consider the solar rebate and incentives available in your area so it can help you reduce costs.
• Thermal runaway: In cases of poorly done solar battery installation, you might experience a fire outbreak as the possibility of this occurring with a lithium-ion battery is higher than a lead-acid battery.

How Solar Batteries Work

The function of solar batteries is to conserve energy that you do not need at the moment for later use. More energy is produced during the day, and this is arguably the time of the day that uses and requires less energy.

Solar batteries are needed to store the excess energy instead of going back to the grid. When there is less sunlight available, the power that the solar battery has stored is put to use. This provides you energy when there is a total blackout or when there is a problem with the grid. You are also helping the ecosystem by using a clean and renewable energy source.

Benefits Of Owning A Solar Battery

There was a time when people did not see the need for a solar battery, but people are beginning to see solar batteries as an investment in recent times. Some of the benefits of solar batteries include:

Backup Power

As mentioned earlier, a solar battery provides backup power when the grid is down. Unlike most cases where people would have generators that produce loud and undesirable sounds, you would also enjoy a quiet backup. With solar batteries, you enjoy your power without any kind of noise or air pollution. You also may not have to worry about constantly filling your generator with gas and unnecessary repairs.

Eco Friendly

With a solar battery, you don't have to continuously worry about always having to generate energy from the grid, which releases fossil fuels. The best way to ensure a small carbon footprint is to use solar battery storage so you can use clean energy.

Energy Independence

When installing a solar battery, you are considered independent of the grid system, which is very important if you stay in a place that experiences blackouts. We need power for our everyday activities, so it would give you peace of mind knowing that you have solar battery storage to fall back on when there is an unexpected and unforeseen circumstance.

What Are The Best Solar Batteries In 2022?

The percentage of solar battery users has increased over the years, but many people are still confused about the kind of solar batteries to buy. The best solar batteries available in 2022 include:

Tesla Powerwall

Over the years, Tesla has been known to produce electric cars, but they recently integrated a solar battery system. Ever since it entered the market, it has become one of the most popular solar batteries. Tesla Powerwall costs about $10,500, including the cost of installation and other soft expenses.

There are incentives and solar rebates that are available when you purchase the Tesla Powerwall. You will also be able to choose a powerwall or a powerwall plus. The advantages of buying a Tesla powerwall include:

• It has a good battery capacity when compared to its competitors. It has a battery capacity of 13.5kwh which means you can get power in your home even when there is no sunlight.
• It comes with a warranty of ten years which means that if it gets broken or damaged before then, your Tesla powerwall will be replaced, or you will be refunded.
• The depth of discharge for the Tesla powerwall is 100% which means that you can use the total amount of energy without shortening your solar battery lifespan.
• Tesla Powerwall is a lithium-ion battery, which is the best type of solar battery.

So, should you buy a Tesla powerwall? Well, the Tesla powerwall battery is one of the strongest solar batteries. It has a warranty and is more efficient than other batteries, but it also has its downsides. It is one of the most expensive in the market, and you cannot purchase the powerwall alone; you may need to buy the whole solar system product.

General PWRcell

This battery capacity of about 18kwh is a good fit, especially when combined with an excellent solar system. It is not so expensive, and you can decide to start with less and add more power if needed. The cost of the solar battery ranges from $13,000 to $20,000, and it comes with a ten-year warranty.

Delta BX6.3

This has a 6.3kwh capacity and 80% depth of discharge. It costs about $7400 and also comes with a ten-year warranty.

Considerations Before Getting Solar Battery Storage

Battery Type

It is imperative to know the different battery types and which would fit your home so you don't have any problem with your solar battery storage in the future. You can learn about the types of solar batteries as discussed earlier in this article.

Battery Capacity

This is referred to as the amount of energy that can be stored in your solar battery. It is measured in kilowatts, and the average amount of energy that can be stored is 10kwh. You must pay attention to the battery capacity of the solar battery that you are purchasing.

Battery Warranty

Solar battery warranties are crucial in cases of damages, especially when it is a problem for the manufacturers. You can be sure to get a refund or a new solar battery instead of facing the issues and damages alone, especially after you have spent a fortune to purchase the solar battery.

Battery Duration

This is the amount of time that the solar battery can last without charging. The Lithium-ion battery lasts for about four hours on an average scale. How long the battery can last depends on the type of battery you purchase. This is a big deal for many solar system users because they want a solar battery that lasts for a long time.

Depth of Discharge (DoD)

This is very important in terms of how long the battery lasts and the product lifespan. The higher the DoD, the more power you can pull from your solar battery without causing it harm. Some solar batteries have 100% DoD; others have less. Knowing the DoD of your solar battery is important because it affects the battery's lifespan.

The Best Location For Solar Batteries

There are places you can and cannot install a solar battery. The best place to install a solar battery is where there is direct access to sunlight. Other factors that affect the location of your solar battery include:

Solar Battery Regulations

There are laws guiding the installation of solar batteries. It is vital to comply with them for your safety and the environment's safety. The laws available on solar battery installation include wiring laws, installation, and safety requirements, the grid connection for energy inverters, stand-alone systems, etc.

Indoor or Outdoor

Where you live is a huge factor to consider when installing your solar battery. Do you live near the sea? Does your location get heavy rainfall? If your answer is yes to the following questions, then you should consider installing indoors. The best place to install your solar battery is your garage, where it is not directly facing the sunlight.

How Long Does Solar Battery Storage Last?

The average period that a solar battery lasts is ten years, excluding conditions of extreme temperatures. Recent studies show that the solar battery types that last this long are current models of solar batteries. A recent solar battery study carried out in Australia showed that malfunctions are possible and likely with some solar batteries.

The latest solar batteries have a higher product lifespan when the solar battery is installed by a professional, and the possibilities of mishaps are low. It is advisable that when getting a solar battery, you check the customer reviews on the website to avoid solar batteries that would cause you problems in the long run.

You can check if the users are happy with their solar batteries and see the issues they are currently facing because most customers would likely go to complain about their products online.

Solar Battery Terminologies

Watts and Kilowatts

This is the unit used to measure energy transfer; one kilowatt is equivalent to a thousand watts. The ratings in solar batteries are specified in watts which translates to the maximum power that the battery can transfer. This helps you understand how much energy a solar battery can deliver.

Watt Hours and Kilowatt Hours

This is a measure of the energy produced and consumed over time. This is the unit used in energy bills.

FAQs On Solar Battery Storage

The common questions asked regarding solar batteries include:

What does the typical solar battery look like?

The solar battery storage looks like a small refrigerator or a heater system. The sizes also range from the solar battery storage used in residential areas to commercial ones. The sizes differ depending on the purpose of the battery.

How does solar battery storage work?

The solar battery uses a chemical process to store electrical energy. The energy saved is used in future use. This stored energy can be used to power homes and industries, especially when the power system is down.

Are solar batteries safe to use?

Solar batteries do not put your home at risk, especially when properly installed and checked after. They can pose potential risks or hazards, just like any other appliance in your home. But there are ways you can minimise such risks and hazards, and they include:

• Ensure that the wiring is done correctly
• Check periodically for leakages that could cause a fire outbreak
• Employ the services of an experienced solar panel and battery installer because bad installation poses a huge risk to the lives of solar battery users.

What are the best types of solar batteries?

There is no definite answer to this question; the best options available are lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries. The best type of battery for you depends on what you use your battery for.

Can I completely go off-grid?

Solar battery storage was made to complement your power system rather than go completely off-grid. Going off-grid would mean that you won't have grid power for times like winter; also, you will overuse your battery, which would mean a high cost of maintenance.

What kind of maintenance is needed for solar batteries?

Very little or no maintenance is needed for solar batteries. A good solar battery would need just once a year of deep cleaning, but aside from that, there are no frequent repairs and maintenance that cost a fortune.

What is the most important factor that affects a solar battery?

Temperature is one of the most important factors that affect how long the solar battery will last. You must follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for use carefully. You should protect the battery against extreme conditions like very hot and extremely cold weather conditions.

Fortunately, more recent batteries have a temperature regulation system to increase their lifespan. This is why you should choose good manufacturers over the cost of the solar battery.

How long can the solar battery power my house?

This depends on several factors like the number of appliances that the solar system powers, the capacity of the solar battery, and its power rating. Also, whether or not you are connected to the grid system. Your solar battery should be able to supply power for several days, depending on the factors stated above.

Am I eligible for a solar rebate or incentive?

Yes, as long as your installation is under 100kw. The solar rebates and incentives differ from area to area, so you may want to check out the rebates available to you, whether you have previously accessed a solar rebate or not.

Can I add batteries to my solar system?

You can add solar batteries to your solar system because solar batteries work independently from your solar system. Solar batteries help you save power to your solar system, and the process is called AC Coupling.

Get Your Solar Battery Installed

Solar batteries are a huge investment, and so many people are beginning to see the need to install a solar battery. They are worth the cost, and when they come with a warranty, you can be confident that the manufacturers will fix the solar battery if anything within the warranty options goes wrong. Contact a professional solar panel and battery installer to ensure you get the best option for your needs.