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The solar energy market has seen significant growth, with installations in the U.S. increasing by about 34 percent from 2020 to 2021. Solar power is now one of the fastest-growing forms of renewable energy. Understanding the components of a solar power system, especially battery capacity, is crucial before making a purchase. Solar batteries store energy generated by solar panels for use when sunlight is not available.

Factors to consider when choosing a solar battery include efficiency, reliability, lifespan, size, support, and cost. Several manufacturers offer a range of solar batteries, including Mammoth RE and EG4, with various sizes and capabilities. Solar kits are also recommended as they offer a complete solution and can be more cost-effective than buying individual components. The Solar Lab is a resource for learning about home solar power.

Introduction

Solar energy is a burgeoning market. In the past decade, the sector has grown wildly as many homeowners rush to combat the rising costs of natural gas and coal. From 2020 to 2021, solar power installations increased by about 34 percent in the U.S., making it one of the fastest-growing forms of renewable energy. 

At this point, it’s clear that solar isn't going anywhere. But given the average system costs between $17,00 and $23,000 — and that’s after federal tax credits — understanding every component before purchasing is a must.

One critical element of every solar power setup is battery capacity. Solar batteries have scalable storage, so you should choose the most suitable type based on your unique needs. Whether it’s a small, portable setup for an outdoor excursion or you’re desperate to escape the grid, you must know how to select batteries that store enough power and won’t malfunction. 

What Do Solar Batteries Do?

A battery, like the one in your TV remote, is a cell that houses energy and releases it on demand. A solar battery is no different. 

Solar panels only generate electricity for a few hours of peak sunlight each day, so solar batteries store that energy to keep the juice flowing when the sun stops shining. They're more or less the same as the rechargeable batteries in your remote, only much bigger.

What Makes a Good Solar Battery?

Now that you know what a solar battery does, how do you choose the right one?

Choosing the best solar battery is a slog. And every step is vital to ensure you have a well-functioning system holding the right amount of juice. Always analyze the following factors when shopping for solar batteries. 

Efficiency

When you charge a battery, not all the energy you put into it gets stored. The efficiency of a solar battery is rated by the amount of energy that gets stored, so the most efficient and best batteries are those that store the most energy. The U.S. Energy Information Association claims the average efficiency for solar batteries falls around 80 percent, meaning 80 percent of the energy is stored during the charging process, and the other 20 percent is lost. 

High-quality batteries have ratings above 90 percent. Although more costly upfront, selecting a battery with a higher efficiency rating tends to save you more money in the long run. 

Reliability

Homeowners, campers, or road warriors depend on solar-powered systems during times of emergency. So, the battery should be able to withstand the elements and not go haywire during the first sign of trouble. Check the make and model, and always read reviews to see what users say about durability and dependability.

Lifespan

Most solar batteries come with lifespans between 5 and 15 years. Manufacturers typically offer a warranty for up to 10 years. After that, the lifespan hinges on the harshness of a battery's environment and the intensity of its usage. 

Another key factor to be aware of is life cycles. The completion of charging and depleting the battery is one cycle. So, the life cycle estimates how many cycles the battery is good for. For example, an excellent lithium-ion battery should have around 5,000-10,000 cycles during its life. 

Size

The battery size is crucial for two reasons: cost and capacity. Getting an oversized battery — say, a 20kWh battery for a small spelunking setup — is pointless and wasteful. However, insufficient storage might lead to chronic power outages, especially if you plan to disconnect from the grid completely. 

Support

Even the best solar batteries can run into issues. When trouble comes knocking, you’ll always be glad to own a battery with solid support. Always check the warranty, including the fine print. Also, check to see what kind of troubleshooting services the company offers. 

Cost

After evaluating the above factors, you can grit your teeth and look at the price tag. Solar batteries cost between $200 to $20,000, depending on the product's size, efficiency, and quality. 

Who Makes the Best Solar Batteries?

Sometimes the price difference of off-brand products is negligible, but not with solar batteries. Brands matter, and below are a few of our recommended manufacturers that provide a wide range of sizes and capabilities of solar setups. 

Mammoth RE 

Mammoth RE batteries are some of the best heavy-duty batteries for off-grid or light industrial situations. Some of the benefits across all products include: 

• 10-year warranty
• Expansion of up to 8 Mammoth RE battery packs
• 23,500-watt hours

Overall, Mammoth provides peak performance while keeping prices competitive and even lower than many competing brands. Below are a few of Mammoth’s top product offerings. 

Mammoth PRO 48V

Mammoth’s PRO model is the largest lithium battery on the market today. It’s extremely powerful and can be connected with up to eight units per solar power system. 

• Voltage: 48V
• kWh: 23.5 kWh
• Weight: 465
• Cost: $9,600

Mammoth PLUS 48V

The PLUS model battery is a super generous bang for your buck. It’s versatile, affordable, and a market leader compared to similarly sized lithium-ion batteries.

• Voltage: 48V
• kWh: 9.6 kWh
• Weight: 220 lbs
• Life cycles: 3,000–5,000
• Cost: $3,800

EG4

The EG4 battery line is excellent for hybrid homes or large outdoor setups. All EG4 technology comes with an effortless, plug-and-play setup process, and the design is durable and built to last. The cost isn't shabby either: an EG4 battery with 5.12kWh costs around $1,400.

Some additional benefits of EG4 products include the following: 

• Lasts for 7,000 deep discharge cycles
• 10-year warranty
• Operating efficiency rating of 99 percent
• Lead-free and environmentally friendly

EG4 LL 48V

The EG4 LL is the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. The manufacturer claims the battery could charge daily for 15 years without an issue. Also, the battery comes with a built-in LCD screen to view essential metrics easily.  

• Voltage: 48V
• kWh: 5.12 kWh
• Efficiency: 99%
• Life Cycles: 7,000
• Cost: $1,749

Get the Best Solar Batteries by Choosing a Solar Power Kit

If you’re curious about solar power, don’t stress yourself out by traveling your journey piecemeal — first purchasing panels, then batteries, and then inverters. 

Do yourself a favor and research all-in-one kits. ShopSolar.com is a trusted distributor of many of the industry's most reliable brands, including Mammoth RE and EG4. Using a kit centralizes the research process and puts you in contact with manufacturers to help you select a suitable package in terms of size and cost.

Solar kits are scalable and the least labor-intensive way to choose a tremendous solar-powered system. And they can be cheaper than buying each component separately. 

Continue Learning About the Benefits of Solar Energy

Before ordering a single part, you should understand the basics of solar power. But to do this, you need to know where to look. Find everything you need to become an expert in home solar power at The Solar Lab — an online community with tons of resources, including videos, articles, and a solar power mini-course.

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