The changing environmental landscape has prompted people to look into more sustainable and green options with homeowners especially looking far and wide, to find new ways of making wise investments.
One such investment can be in the form of Solar panels! Given solar power is clean and renewable, solar panels produce electricity that is free of any harmful emissions.
So, anyone with a solar panel system is bound to desire to get their hands on some efficient Solar Batteries. This will allow the individual to store energy generated from the sun to utilize it later.
In simple terms, it allows you to have energy independence and save yourself from massive electricity bills. So, pairing a Solar Battery with a solar panel gives way to a ‘hybrid solar system,’ which means you never have to worry about a power outage.
If you, too, seek to invest in solar panels but are unfamiliar with how solar batteries work and their cost, you have come to the right place! We have got all your answers for you. So, read on ahead.
Functioning of Solar Batteries
Solar panels work best during the daytime, especially in the noon. This is also the hour when there is least energy consumption.
On average, a solar panel system creates about 170 to 350 watts in one hour. Assuming a standard grid-tied solar panel system, all the excess solar energy goes back to the utility grid. But, if you have a solar battery attached to your solar panel, every extra watt of energy is stored in the battery.
Subsequently, this battery-stored energy helps provide backup power when the sun goes down. This means you don’t have to rely heavily on electricity anymore, and you are likely to save a lot of energy costs.
In short, day or night, rain or sunshine, your house will always be lit up if you invest in good solar battery storage!
The Cost of Solar Battery Storage Systems
A solar battery installation costs about $200 to $15000. This range of price relies on the battery chemistry. On the other hand, the solar panels for the residential grid that are usually coupled with lithium-ion batteries can cost about $7000 to $14000.
Additionally, other lead-acid batteries with small capacities are usually around $200. Although, these are not powerful enough to serve power throughout your house. You can use them as an emergency backup power in RVs, sheds, etc.
Interestingly, the cost of solar batteries has dipped in recent years, but it still costs a decent amount. As such, people usually hesitate while investing in solar batteries. However, now with the 26% federal solar tax credit and many other additional incentives, purchasing solar batteries is easy on the pocket.
Factors that Impact the Solar Battery Costs
The varying price fluctuations in different solar batteries is due to the following factors:
Manufacturer
As is with everything else, a solar battery’s cost is highly determined by the brand that’s manufacturing it. Different brands offer a range of varied features and services. Additionally, every brand has a peculiar manufacturing process too. For example, Tesla Powerwall 2 costs just about $10,500. But, Sonnen, a German manufacturer, offers a great line of luxury batteries that are worth $30,000 and beyond.
Battery System Chemistry
In the market, you can find an extensive range of batteries with differing internal chemistry of their own. In residential areas, lithium-ion batteries are among the most popular solar batteries. These batteries also have two specific chemistries involved.
One is the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC), and the other is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). NMC is more inexpensive compared to the LFP batteries and has been in the market for much longer. To add to that, you can also find lithium polymer batteries that are pretty safe, handy, and secure for usage.
Other solar options that a homeowner generally leans towards are sealed lead-acid batteries. They are easy on the pocket but have little capacity. Additionally, they require consistent maintenance and have a short lifespan. On the other hand, a saltwater battery that uses sodium to conduct electricity makes the best of a liquid saltwater solution to capture, store and disseminate the energy. They are also safe, last longer for like 5000 cycles, are easily recyclable, need little maintenance, and are super eco-friendly.
Lastly, there are deep-cycle batteries and solar gel batteries as well. The former solar energy system offers constant power over a period of time, while the latter is perfect for people who move around often. This is because they are rough and can handle a decent amount of traveling.
Number of Solar Batteries
This is pretty obvious. If you install multiple batteries, the energy storage system will be expensive. To figure out how many solar batteries is required for your solar panel to work aptly, be mindful of these factors:
- The length of hours for which your appliances are actively used
- The number of appliances requiring battery power
- Number of kilowatt-hours utilized
- The battery’s capacity
Generally, even after considering a power outage, the battery bank of one or two solar batteries is enough for everyday electrical work. There is also enough excess electricity to power up some necessary circuits, too.
Backup Load Panel
Solar batteries are only equipped to power key appliances of your house- from lights to the fridge. But, if you need to run heavy appliances, say an air conditioner, you would need additional batteries. One battery capacity does not have enough battery backup for the entire house. Hence, there might be a need to install a sub-panel.
Such a sub-panel, also called a backup load panel or a critical load panel and can cost installation charges of $1000-$2000.
Cost of Labor
The price of a solar battery differs with the amount of labor required during the installation process. If the solar battery systems, aka the solar battery and panel, are being installed at the same time, the labor cost might be low. It’s because all the electrical work for both pieces of equipment can be done simultaneously.
But, if a solar battery is being installed to the existing system of the panel, there will be extra costs as additional electrical material would be required, and newer permits need to be filed.
Rebates, Incentives, and Benefits
Different areas have different solar battery incentives, which one can avail at the time of solar battery system installation. For example, Oregon provides various solar battery programs that minimize upfront costs. On the other hand, California has come up with SGIP, a solar battery incentive program that pays for one-quarter of battery installation costs.
Additionally, if you pass for the federal solar tax credit, an extra 26% is waived from the total cost of battery installation. You should also check out the different incentives offered by the state you live in.
FAQ
What Is the Average Lifespan of A Solar Battery?
The average lifespan of a solar battery is about 5-12 years. However, this number goes up to 15 years for high-quality batteries. Additionally, the lifespan of batteries also depends on the frequency and depth of discharge.
What Are Some Factors that Affect Solar Battery Cost?
There are several factors that can affect the cost of a solar battery, including the type of battery, its capacity, the number of batteries required, and installation costs.
What Is the Average Cost of A Solar Battery?
The average cost of a solar battery is about $5,000-$7,000. However, this price can vary depending on the type of battery and its capacity.
Are Solar Batteries Worth It?
Solar batteries can provide a number of benefits, including backup power during outages, reducing your dependence on the grid, and saving money on your electricity bill. However, solar batteries can be a significant investment, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Wrapping Up
The companionship of solar panels with solar batteries has become increasingly common lately.
When combined, the solar battery storage system offers optimal benefits. It’s ideal, especially for homeowners who face frequent power cuts and have no retail net metering. Plus, if the state gives incentives, it becomes even better.
Another perfect reason to go solar (with panels and batteries) is the environment. The solar battery technology is renewable and perfect for home usage or other solar projects.
Go off-grid, enjoy eco-friendly electricity and save some bills now!
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