Add Battery to Solar System
Solar panel systems are becoming increasingly popular and the go-to energy source for many households worldwide. Its success has made it one of the fastest-growing renewable energy alternatives in the world.
More powerful and efficient solar systems are continuously being developed. These modern systems are now fitted with solar batteries that allow you to use backed-up electricity during any time of the day or in the event of a blackout.
If you’re asking yourself if you should get a battery with your solar system, the answer is yes, and you’ll learn why.
A solar battery essentially allows you to use energy even when the utility grid is down, as it acts as a substitute stand-in for the grid.
Solar panels are becoming more affordable and with the addition of batteries and electricity at your fingertips, it’s a no-brainer to make the switch to solar energy.
If you want to add a battery to your solar system but don’t know the right steps to take, then you’ve come to the right place. The following article will aid you in the setup process of adding a battery to your solar system, as well as the benefits associated with solar batteries.
Why Add a Battery to Your Solar Panel System
All solar system installations will have some sort of relationship to the traditional grid. This allows solar panel users to benefit from government incentives, net metering, and tax rebates.
If you have a solar system that does not have a battery installed, you won’t be able to use electricity when there is a power outage.
Grid-tied solar systems by law have an automatic shut-off when there is an outage. Ultimately, this means that if the grid is down, your solar system will be down with it.
Solar batteries are added to solar systems to act as a buffer or a substitute for the utility grid if there’s a maintenance shutdown or a blackout due to weather.
A solar battery allows your solar generation system to function independently from the utility grid by storing excess solar production for later use.
Adding A Battery To Your Solar System
The cost to add battery backup to a solar system can be a bit pricey, but the benefits outweigh the cost by 10-fold.
There are three ways you can add a battery to your solar system, depending on how your solar system is set up.
These methods can be a little confusing, but we will make them incredibly easy to understand and guide you through all the relevant steps. You will most likely have all the required components lying around.
Method 1: A DC Coupled System
For this method, you need an additional charge controller, which adds the benefit of being able to switch off the power flowing to your batteries in the event of an electrical issue.
Alternatively, you can also use a hybrid solar panel inverter that can be directly connected to your battery.
The connection between both these methods is simple.
If you have a charge controller, then your solar panels are connected to it in DC. The charge controller is directly connected to the battery, and the battery is connected to the inverter, which can supply your home with electricity.
In the case of a hybrid inverter, your solar panels will be connected in DC to your battery, and your battery will be connected in DC to your hybrid inverter. Your inverter is then connected in AC to your switchboard, which will allow you to supply power to your home.
The main advantage of a DC-coupled solution is that it will increase the efficiency of your system, which means that less energy will be lost during the conversion process.
Method 2: An AC Coupled System
For an AC-coupled system, you are going to need an additional inverter that is paired with an off-grid inverter.
The off-grid inverter acts as a second power source that keeps the entire system online even when the grid is down.
In an AC-coupled system, the power produced by your solar panels goes directly to your solar inverter through a DC connection.
The inverter converts the DC power to AC power, which can be used as electricity to power your home and appliances.
AC coupled systems are much easier to install and are often cheaper since you won’t need any expensive additional components.
On the downside, AC coupled systems are less efficient. The extra conversion step causes the system to lose energy, which decreases the overall production.
Method 3: Storage Ready Solar System
This method is the priciest, but it’s by far the best solution for solid solution energy. A storage-ready solar system is equipped with a solar inverter compatible with battery storage.
This means that you wouldn’t need to implement the AC or DC method. Your batteries can be directly connected to the inverter.
This system is compatible with any type of solar system, all you require is the specific inverter that can be used for power storage purposes.
Storage-ready solar systems are also equipped with beneficial features, such as the ability to sell energy back to the grid during peak usage times. This allows solar panel owners to take full advantage of their net metering policy.
What Is the Lifespan of a Battery?
Most solar batteries have an incredibly long life and only need to be replaced once you notice the charging efficiency is less than 70%.
Batteries come to the end of their lifespan approximately after 10 years. This is when you should be looking to replace your batteries along with your inverter.
Conclusion
Solar panel technology is continuously being improved, and the incorporation of batteries was a huge achievement in getting the world closer to sustainable living.
Adding a battery to your system is an easy task, but for newcomers in the solar space adding a battery can be daunting, especially with the additional components you might need.
If you aren’t the DIY type and require a little bit of guidance in your solar system setup, then visit Shop Solar Kits for the best advice. You can also find the best batteries for your solar system on our website.
We’re more than happy to guide you through the installation process, show you how to calculate the battery capacity for your solar system, and determine how many batteries you will need for your 3kW solar system.
If you want to play your part in offsetting the effects of global warming and climate change, then it is time to turn to a clean energy-producing alternative – solar energy.
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