{"id":850,"date":"2019-11-25T14:31:48","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T22:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/?p=850"},"modified":"2023-05-26T00:47:16","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T07:47:16","slug":"are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Solar Batteries Cost-Effective? We Break It Down"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>So, you&rsquo;ve already made the decision to add\na solar energy system to your home &ndash; or you have one already. That&rsquo;s great! Now\nthe decision comes on whether you should have a method of storing the excess energy\nproduced by your panels or simply to return it to the grid. Here we give an\noverview of the factors influencing the cost efficiency of different types of\nsolar batteries for energy storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are solar batteries cost-effective? <strong>Depending on the type of battery you choose\nto add to your system, solar batteries can be extremely cost-effective. Lithium\nbatteries are the most cost-effective out of the four main battery types: lead-acid,\nlithium, nickel-cadmium, nickel-iron. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024.jpg\" alt=\"Are Solar Batteries Cost Effective? We Break it Down\" class=\"wp-image-869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024.jpg 924w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"616\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20924%20616'%3E%3Crect%20width='924'%20height='616'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Are Solar Batteries Cost Effective? We Break it Down\" class=\"wp-image-869 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024.jpg.webp 924w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024-300x200.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-batteries-cost-effective-we-break-it-down-1024-768x512.jpg.webp 768w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost-effectiveness of solar batteries\nis very much based on the reason behind your need. For most residential uses,\nsolar batteries are another way to ensure reduced electric bills by storing\nenergy that would otherwise be returned to the grid. However, the different\nchemical compositions of batteries pose a variety of advantages as well that\nmay make them more or less suited for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, one of the most intimidating\nthings about going solar is the overhead cost. We all know good and well that\nthe long-term benefits are exceedingly worth it &ndash; every salesman, environmental\nscientist, and even layperson pushing for sustainable energy has repeatedly\nshown that the ultimate financial relief provided by solar energy will far\noutweigh any price you pay to switch over to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, not many people are in a position to\nmake that kind of payment in a short &ndash; or even long &ndash; period of time. Because\nof this, many would be the wiser to begin planning very early on if their\nultimate plan is to go off-grid, or at least, live a more eco-conscious\nlifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solar batteries are estimated to cost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energysage.com\/solar\/solar-energy-storage\/what-do-solar-batteries-cost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">between $5000-7000<\/a> or more, and if priced by the energy produced per hour, they can be about $400 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $750\/kWh. These prices indeed sound scary, however, do remember that you have a bit of wiggle room based on the materials you choose and the mode of installation. (Consider that the installation is an entirely separate cost.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prices of solar batteries, as implied\nby the pricing per kilowatt-hour, are also very strongly influenced by the\namount of energy they are capable of producing. This is an important factor to\nkeep in mind for those who plan on going solar to live fully off-grid since\nyour overhead cost is likely to be a lot higher than someone who is only\nsupplementing their energy consumption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caveats to Solar Battery Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprise! There are even more things to\nconsider when planning to buy a solar battery. Besides materials, power\ncapacity, and installment fees (and, likely, manufacturer as well), another\naspect to be aware of is the possibility of &ldquo;time-of-use&rdquo; (TOU) fees hiking up\nthe cost of your solar battery. Other forms of utility charging are &ldquo;demand\ncharges&rdquo; and &ldquo;reduced\/no net metering.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, you need to be aware of the\nlogistics of your utility charges. This is because there may be different rates\nbased on energy use at the time of day, monthly, or standard charges. These\nfactors will directly influence not only the cost of your solar battery but\nalso determine whether or not the purchase of a solar battery is ultimately the\nright choice for you at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Time of Use Rates<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Utilities that are charged by TOU rates will\nresult in you paying more per kWh used during the hours of the day&rsquo;s peak\nenergy use (these rates can get up to twice as much as standard rates).\nCalifornian homeowners or renters need to be especially aware of this, as\nprices reached as high as $0.46\/kWh during peak energy consumption in the\nsummer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Demand Charges<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, there are &ldquo;demand charges:&rdquo;\nthese are determined either by the amount of electricity consumed during peak\nhours or the amount consumed during an entire month. With demand charges, the\nsolar battery can help you to reduce your costs by supplementing your energy\nconsumption either during peak hours only or throughout the entire month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reduced or No Net Metering<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another circumstance in which purchasing\na solar battery would potentially be a helpful option for reducing not only\nyour carbon footprint but your electricity bill as well. In a reduced\/no net\nmetering system, the utilities are offered at what is referred to at a\n&ldquo;wholesale&rdquo; rate, where credits are offered for the amount of solar electricity\nsent back to the grid by your solar panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, your battery would be\nimmensely more useful than in the other two scenarios because the energy you\nmay have returned to the grid can simply be used at your home instead. Additionally,\nyou&rsquo;ll reduce the amount of electricity you would otherwise purchase at\nstandard rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does a Solar Battery Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The standard solar system is composed of&hellip;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A solar panel <\/li><li>An inverter<\/li><li>Mounting equipment to support\nthe solar panels on your roof or elsewhere<\/li><li>Performance monitoring system<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As you know, the function of the solar\npanels is to bring in energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. This\nelectricity is then passed through the inverter, and then further converted\ninto the appropriate form to be used in your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most residential solar systems maintain a\ndirect connection to the electricity grid, making them &ldquo;grid-tied.&rdquo; When there\nis an excess amount of energy produced by your solar panel, the panel\nautomatically returns this excess to the power grid (this is the process that\ndetermines the price of the reduced or no metering system mentioned above). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, when your solar panels do\nnot produce as much energy as you need, this process is essentially reversed,\nwherein power is drawn from the grid. How this typically works on your end is:\nThe credits you&rsquo;ve earned by the excess energy being returned to the grid can\nthen be used for the additional energy you are then consuming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Solar-Plus-Storage System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you add a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energysage.com\/solar\/solar-energy-storage\/how-do-solar-batteries-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">battery<\/a>. How is the energy stored in this battery? Sometimes solar batteries have their own inverter and can convert the energy when appropriate. Of course, the higher the battery&rsquo;s capacity, the more energy that can be stored. As previously mentioned, this storage cuts the process of returning and &ldquo;withdrawing&rdquo; excess energy to and from the grid and allows you to simply keep it for later use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of the excess energy being later\ndrawn from the grid when your panels are, for some reason, not producing enough\non their own, they can instead draw energy stored in your battery. Keep in mind\nthat your panels are still fully capable of returning energy to the grid.\nHowever, this happens only when the battery is fully charged and can no longer\ntake in excess energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially useful in seasons where\nthere is a shortage of sunlight (i.e., rainy or winter season). Additionally,\nyou&rsquo;ll have additional insurance of available electricity in the event of a\npower outage. Now that you know the basics of how the battery works consider\nhow possible accessories would influence the price and efficiency of your solar\nbattery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solar Battery Components<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The battery that works in tandem with the solar panel has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarreviews.com\/blog\/how-do-solar-batteries-work-and-how-do-compare-solutions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">few components<\/a> of its own: the charge controller and inverter. With these additional components, a 12-volt solar battery can take approximately five to eight hours to charge (to give you an idea of just how quickly and efficiently these batteries can store excess energy for you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The charge controller is an optional\ncomponent to your solar battery and directly influences the maximum amount of\npower your battery can store. The addition of the charge controller also\ndepends greatly on the size of your solar system, as the maximum power point\ntracking (MPPT) circuit maximizes the transferred energy of the system. It also\nhelps by disconnecting the solar panel when it reaches full capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The inverter, on the other hand, is not\noptional, however, having the same function as it does for the panels &ndash;\nconverting the electricity to a form that is usable in your home. <\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 25, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Different Types of Solar Batteries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are four main <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2018\/11\/common-battery-types-used-in-solarstorage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">types of solar batteries<\/a>: lead-acid, lithium, nickel-cadmium, nickel-iron. By far, lithium-ion batteries have had the greatest cumulative capacity of all types of solar storage batteries between 2003-2016. They also account for over 80% of power and energy storage methods, while nickel- and sodium-based batteries accounted for about 10% collectively, and lead-acid at 1%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lead Acid<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead-acid <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.solar-electric.com\/learning-center\/battery-types-for-solar-electric-systems.html\/\" target=\"_blank\">batteries<\/a> are commonly used as automobile batteries. Their electrodes are grids of metallic, lead oxides whose composition changes based on whether it is charging or discharging. This battery&rsquo;s electrolyte is sulphuric acid. Recent technological developments have made the lead-acid battery one of the best batteries for application in solar systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Industrial-grade lead-acid batteries can\nendure for up to 20 years with moderate care, whereas intermediate batteries\ncan last for an average of 7-12 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lead-acid battery is inexpensive but\nbuilt quite dependably. Technological developments have continued to improve on\nthis battery type and come along with longer warranty agreements as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lithium<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Lithium batteries offer many advantages\nover traditional battery choices: With an extremely long life cycle and high\ndischarge and recharge rates, these batteries offer a bit more durability and\nfunctionality to the solar user who is not afraid to spend just a bit more on\nquality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.solar-electric.com\/learning-center\/lithium-battery-technology.html\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Lithium batteries<\/a> are particularly great because of their high energy density and relatively low cost per cycle. (Do keep in mind, however, that &ldquo;lithium battery&rdquo; is a very general term, and there are six main types of lithium batteries, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses in the application.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Particularly, lithium iron phosphate\n(LiFePO<sub>4<\/sub>, or LFP) is an extremely stable lithium chemical makeup\nwhen compared to other lithium battery types. They can withstand extreme\ncharging conditions and offer plenty of charge cycles due to chemical stability\nover time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something that will particularly come in\nhandy for this battery type is its resilience to harsh environments &ndash; perfect\nfor solar users who may just find themselves in a bind regarding energy\nproduction or general availability one day due to harsh weather or natural\nevents. They also do not suffer from deficit charging (when the battery cannot\nbe fully charged before being discharged again the following day). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their efficiency is typically around the\n95-98% range, so this alone is a reason to opt for the lithium &ndash; specifically\nthe lithium iron phosphate &ndash; batteries in terms of economic benefits. Although\nit may just be a bit pricier at face value, the lithium battery is certain to\ngive you more than your money&rsquo;s worth due to its longevity and endurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NiCad (Nickel Cadmium)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These are alkaline storage batteries, where\nthe positive active material is nickel oxide and the negative contains, of\ncourse, cadmium. Although this battery type can offer slight advantages over\nother battery types, this one may be a bit harder to obtain because of their\nrelatively high purchase price. Additionally, because of the highly hazardous\nnature of the cadmium, they are also pricey to dispose of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can also be difficult to match to your\nsolar system&rsquo;s needs, because their voltage does not typically match common\nstandards of many solar systems, and its charging curves increase the\ndifficulty of use with certain standard equipment like inverters and chargers. They\nare also quite inefficient in the conversion of energy at only 65-80%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their positives lie in their extensive\nbattery life: however, there is an important distinction to be made. Their\nbattery life is in terms of <em>time<\/em> and\nnot necessarily a reflection of the number of charge cycles it is able to\nendure. Because of this, they are excellent batteries for emergency and backup\npurposes, but not for the solar user who will be regularly producing excess\nenergy to store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This makes the nicad worth the buck only if\nyou live in an area with lengthy, dark winters and rainy seasons, prone to\noutages due to storms or similar phenomena, or even if you will be taking your\nbattery with you somewhere where there is no other source of power (i.e. extended\nRV camping or something similar). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NiFe (Nickel Iron)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The NiFe battery is the original &ldquo;Edison\nCell,&rdquo; and has a very, very long lifespan. It is an alkaline-type electric cell\nthat uses potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte, anodes of steel wool\nsubstrate with the active material, and nickel-based cathodes (also with steel\nwool substrate) with active nickel material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right off the bat, the primary\ndisadvantages of the NiFe batteries are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Very low-efficiency rates,\ntypically around 60-65%, but it can even drop to 50%. (They also suffer from\nhigh rates of self-discharge.)<\/li><li>They have high gassing and\nwater consumption.<\/li><li>High internal resistance which\ncan result in significant drops in voltage across series cells.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The weaknesses of this battery can\nultimately reduce the overall efficiency of your solar system by up to 25%, so\nit is important that you seriously consider your reasons for needing this\nbattery if you are leaning toward purchasing a NiFe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NiFe batteries would be a very costly\nchoice to add to your solar system, ultimately functioning to <em>cost<\/em> you money than save anything at\nall. It is highly inconsistent in energy production, as its output voltage\nvaries largely with load and charge, and &ndash; due to its overall inefficiency &ndash;\nwill require an increase in the size of between 25-40% of your solar panels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honorable Mention: Flow<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These are a relatively new innovation in the world of solar storage batteries. Specialized for residential solar systems, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarreviews.com\/blog\/how-do-solar-batteries-work-and-how-do-compare-solutions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">flow batteries<\/a> contain a water-based solution of zinc-bromide and are ultimately one of the best battery options for long-term storage. They can last for decades with very little maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the strongest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/flowbatteries.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">advantages<\/a> of the flow battery are <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Their tolerance for extreme\nweather conditions (they can withstand temperatures up to 50&#730;C or 122&#730;F).<\/li><li>The zinc bromide used in the\nflow batteries is naturally fire retardant.<\/li><li>The physical separation of the\nbattery components protects against the hazard of thermal runway (risk of\nexplosion). <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Flow batteries are also relatively cheap to\nrefurbish due to their simple construction &ndash; this means that you can restore a\ndead battery simply by swapping the electrode! This simplicity and resulting\nflexibility essentially cut the price of the battery in half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to consider, though, that\ndespite these strong advantages, they do offer fewer cycles than other battery\ntypes and so can be seen as slightly less efficient when compared to lithium\nbatteries, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Solar Batteries of 2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, with all this said, how are you\nsupposed to know which battery to choose when most of them offer such unique\nadvantages, and several are extremely long-lived? First, it is important to\nrecognize that the addition of virtually any of these battery types (primarily\nwith the exception of the NiFe battery) to your solar system is likely going to\nbe a tremendous help to both your electric bill and energy consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solar-storage systems are beginning to gain\nsignificant momentum in the industry, particularly in residential systems. This\ntranslates to a high rate of innovation, producing better options that even the\nnewest solar users can appreciate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Especially as we continue to see the\nincreasingly devastating impacts of climate change (such as the recent fires\nand related energy reductions in California), the energy security provides by\nthe use of a solar battery is a particularly attractive option to those who\nlive in vulnerable areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clean Energy Reviews recently tested two products of one of the leading solar (and, in general, sustainable-) energy producers, Tesla. The two batteries tested for this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cleanenergyreviews.info\/blog\/2015\/11\/19\/complete-battery-storage-comparison-and-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">review<\/a> were the Tesla Powerwall 2 and the LG Chem RESU lithium batteries, and they were ultimately compared to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bae-berlin.de\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">BAE<\/a> gel lead-acid battery and the lead-carbon battery by <a href=\"http:\/\/en.naradapower.com\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Narada<\/a>. <\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 25, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview: Battery Cost per kWh Over a 10-Year Period<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In general, over the 10-year period,\nlithium batteries performed significantly better than any other battery in the\nlineup (all types being lithium LFP, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide\n[NMC], lead-carbon, and gel lead-acid):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The LG Chem RESU and the BYD B-box Pro both\ncost just about USD 50\/kWh\/year, whereas the Tesla Powerwall 2 and PylonTech\nUS2000B (both lithium batteries as well) came up close behind around USD\n61.37\/kWh\/year, and the rest were up to USD 75\/kWh\/year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that these comparisons are\nhighly general in nature, as the different chemical compositions lend\nthemselves to highly specific advantages and disadvantages based on these\ndifferences. The bottom line here is that lithium batteries have been shown\nonce again to have very strong benefits over other battery types to the\nresidential solar system &ndash; one of them being a strong price point and savings\npotential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Choose a Solar Battery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see from this wealth of\ninformation, there are many different factors to consider when choosing a\nbattery to add to your solar system or choosing an entire solar-plus-storage\nsystem in general. One of the highest priorities in making this decision is the\nbattery&rsquo;s energy storage capacity and its voltage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The capacity of the battery is to be\nconsidered when you&rsquo;re determining the purpose for which you are buying a\nbattery to begin with. Do you consistently use more energy than your panels\nproduce? Or are you buying a battery specifically as a backup for power outages\nor darker seasons? The voltage is crucial, rather, because it needs to match\nthe solar system requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, you need to be clear on the\nbattery&rsquo;s cycle life: how many charges and recharges can the unit achieve\nbefore it is no longer able to sustain minimum production? This is an aspect\nthat varies greatly by manufacturer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Detailed Information to Consider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the words of Tin Hat Ranch: &ldquo;You can\nonly spend what you make. [With batteries, however,] you can only save so much,\nand you can never spend all that you save.&rdquo; The message of this is that you can\nonly save as much energy as the battery capacity you have (one of the critical\nfactors to keep in mind when purchasing a solar battery). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the average residential solar user, it\nwas recommended that the best &ldquo;entry-level&rdquo; solar battery to use was a lithium\ngolf cart battery &ndash; why? The standard battery type used in many residential\nsolar-storage systems is the car battery. Even though they are one of the\ncheapest options, this is truly <em>not<\/em>\nthe best choice because they&hellip;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Deliver high amounts of energy\nover a short period of time, then take an extended period to then recharge. <\/li><li>Are very poor at delivering low\ncurrents for long periods, such as powering the lights and appliances in your\nhouse overnight. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be careful of a low upfront cost, because\nthis may ultimately translate to a battery that is lower in its efficiency of\nenergy production over time for the sake of a quick jolt of power every now and\nthen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying a Solar Battery &ndash; Is It Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, in the end, is the solar battery worth\nthe time, money, and overall trouble it takes not only to simply learn about\nthe different types, but take the time to compare manufacturers, battery\nspecifications, and consider the needs of your system? The answer is a\nresounding yes! Why is that? If you have already taken the step to install a\nsolar system in your residence, you are clearly committed to a more\nsustainable, energy-secure lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it can be quite intimidating to\nbegin considering the addition of a solar battery to your system, consider the\nlong-lasting benefits of this addition. As we briefly discussed earlier: the\neffects of climate change are swiftly becoming more powerful. Communities are\nseeing power outages all around the world and having a battery to face the\npossibility of such an event will put you at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only that but for those who live in\nareas that are inclined to harsh environmental fluctuations or seasons with\nrelatively low (or no) sunlight for extended periods, having a backup energy\nstorage option can help to get you through tough times. These reasons alone are\nenough to begin seriously considering adding a solar battery to your system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, remember that the benefits offered\nby different types of solar batteries offer highly specific advantages over one\nanother: some are suited to use exclusively as an emergency or backup option,\nwhile others are recommended for regular use as a supplement to your daily,\nweekly, or monthly energy consumption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Best Solar Battery Option for Your Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on recent reviews and continued\ninnovation, the lithium batteries are looking like the best option for\nresidential solar users everywhere (at least, those looking to supplement\nregular energy consumption &ndash; which is the average use of the home solar\nsystem). They have been shown to be the most cost-effective, despite overhead\ncosts, and one of the most long-lived options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, they lend themselves for the strongest uses for homeowners who find themselves in particularly harsh environments, and because there are so many different variations of the lithium batteries, they are by far the most versatile. In addition to regular, basic energy supplementation, they can also be used as an emergency backup system.  When considering the type of battery you want to add to your home solar energy system, think of your reasons for needing to add this storage option: for emergencies, frequently-produced excess energy, or general cost reduction? These factors will ultimately greatly assist you in determining the most cost-effective solar energy storage system for your home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<p>Title Image by Possible<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/how-why-and-when-to-clean-your-solar-panels\/\">How, Why, And When To Clean Your Solar Panels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/how-to-dispose-of-solar-panels-a-complete-green-guide\/\">How to Dispose of Solar Panels: A Complete Green Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/so-what-kind-of-maintenance-do-solar-panels-need\/\">So, What Kind of Maintenance Do Solar Panels Need?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wind-power-vs-solar-power-which-is-better-for-our-homes\/\">Wind Power vs. Solar Power: Which is Better for Our Homes?<\/a><\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 25, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/how-to-fix-or-reset-arlo-solar-panels-not-working-rp-2210\/\">How to Fix or Reset Arlo Solar Panels Not Working<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you&rsquo;ve already made the decision to add a solar energy system to your home &ndash; or you have one already. That&rsquo;s great! Now the decision comes on whether you should have a method of storing the excess energy produced by your panels or simply to return it to the grid. Here we give an &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":868,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Are Solar Batteries Cost-Effective? 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