What To Consider When Choosing A Solar Battery

Unlike other energy sources, solar energy is renewable and more sustainable, making it one of the go-to options for homeowners. Aside from solar panels, you can also invest in solar batteries. These devices collect energy and store it, so you can use them whenever necessary. Solar batteries can come in handy during cloudy days and when your solar power system can’t generate as much power. This makes them a dependable, sustainable, and consistent source of energy. But to make the most out of your investment, you need to use the right solar battery. This is especially since choosing the best solar battery can be crucial to ensure your solar energy system’s long-term value. With that, it’s necessary to do your homework before making decisions.

Unfortunately, the countless options of solar batteries on the market can be a little overwhelming. While many people opt for a one-size-fits-all approach, it might not always be an excellent choice. To help you choose the right solar battery for your needs, here are the things you need to consider for comparing solar batteries:

Your Needs

Before you start shopping around for a solar battery, be sure to know your needs first. To do this, determine how much electricity your household consumes monthly and the amount of energy you consume every hour.

Usually, you can get these details from your energy bills. Once you understand your unique needs, you can better know and assess which solar battery is best for the solar power systems installed on your property.

Brand

Most brands strive to develop the ideal solar battery that will attract and serve consumers better. Typically, they use different manufacturing and design processes, resulting in varying end products.

For this reason, the brand can be one of your benchmarks when selecting solar batteries. Purchasing a solar battery from reliable brands can guarantee quality products that will last. Plus, you can expect the best after-sales service, allowing you to enjoy the perks of this significant investment.

Warranty

There are various solar batteries on the market, but not all are trustworthy and reliable. When selecting a solar battery, your best bet is a mid-range and high-quality unit that offers an extended guarantee.

Quality-made solar batteries generally have longer cycle life and better efficiency. So, check the manufacturer’s return policy and warranty details to ensure they protect your investment if something goes wrong during operation or installation.

Budget

One of the essential considerations you need to think of when choosing a solar battery is your budget. Knowing how much you are willing to shell out can help you narrow down your options. This is especially since, with the different types of solar batteries on the market, the prices could also vary.

The more affordable options are lead acid batteries with a cheaper price point but may regularly require maintenance. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are more expensive but last longer and require little to no maintenance.

Capacity Rating

The capacity of a solar battery refers to the kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it may store. It shows how long your battery can power your appliances before it runs out.

Other solar batteries may show two capacity ratings: usable capacity and total capacity. Among these capacity ratings, you should focus on the usable capacity, which is how much electricity the solar battery stores that you can use.

Ideally, you can consider batteries with at least 10kWh usable capacity ratings. These are perfect for those who need a high-energy capacity battery and something that serves as a decent backup power in case of a sudden blackout. Moreover, you may install more batteries to increase the amount of electricity your solar system can generate and hold.

Solar Battery Technology

Another thing to consider is the different kinds of solar battery technologies and energy storage options before making any decision. There are primary categories available, and these are Lithium-ion (Li-ion), Lead-acid, and Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries.

Li-ion batteries are generally best for residential use. They also require minimum maintenance while holding more energy than other types. The downside, however, is they’re pricier. On the other hand, if you occasionally use solar panels and energy as a backup for your house, you can choose lead-acid solar batteries. They’re inexpensive and can be easily disposed of and recycled. Ni-cd batteries are durable and best applied to large-scale operations.

Lifespan

In terms of lifespan, solar batteries may vary depending on your chosen brand and the capacity it loses throughout the years. To ensure that your chosen solar battery has a longer lifespan and maximum energy storage, it’s wise to ask questions before buying one.

Moreover, if you want to extend your solar battery’s lifespan, you must follow proper maintenance procedures. For example, make sure to protect it from extreme weather conditions and keep it in a place with standard room temperature.

Conclusion

While the cost is crucial when selecting a solar battery, it must not be the only factor you must focus on. Like installing solar energy systems, you often get what you pay for in solar batteries. With that, ensure your solar battery is manufactured by a trustworthy company. If possible, hire a reliable professional to meet your needs and ensure proper installation.