Number Of Solar Panels And Batteries Needed For Aussie Homes

Number Of Solar Panels And Batteries Needed For Aussie Homes

When it comes to solar, there is no one solution. It is exactly like shopping for other necessary products that you need. Every person has different solar needs depending on many factors.  

So what is the number of solar panels and batteries needed for Aussie homes? To understand everything go through this Aussie batteries and solar review. 

For example, a 5kW solar system typically comes with 15-20 solar panels. It is usually sufficient for an average Australian home. Still, putting as many solar panels on your roof never hurts.  

However, the size of your solar system is determined by electricity usage, how much (unshaded) roof space you have, your budget, and a few other objectives. 

Getting solar panels is only worthwhile if you install enough to cover your electricity requirement. Similarly, you want to save money on a manageable solar system. 

How do you determine the number of solar panels and batteries you’ll need to power your home? 

How Much Power Do You Consume?

The goal is to match your household’s electricity consumption with solar energy. If not, then it may exceed a bit. Ideally, your solar system should produce enough electricity to meet your needs.  

Thinking ahead is critical. Ask yourself the hard questions. Will your family grow in the coming years? Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle?  

How Much Roof Space Do You Have?

We can only fit as many solar panels as possible in the space on your roof. Solar panels are typically 1.7m × 1m in size. 

It is critical to consider shading when calculating the size of your roof. Tree or power lines can cast shade on a portion of your roof. In that case, we’ll need to adjust your solar system or avoid these areas entirely.

How Much Money Do You Want To Spend?

The larger the solar system, the higher the cost. As a result, the size of your solar system will be determined by your budget.  

Like any other product, budget solar panels are less expensive than tier 1 panels. However, it is never worth sacrificing quality for lower-cost solar panels.  

A solar system is a 25-year or more long-term investment. Purchasing quality solar panels that will last for a long time should not be negotiable. 

Find more information about the payback period for a solar system here. 

What is Your Primary Goal in Installing Solar Panels?

Solar energy abstract concept vector illustration.

Some people purchase solar panels primarily to save money. Others are motivated by the wish to become more energy independent or by environmental concerns.  

Your motivation for going solar may influence the number of panels you require. For example, invest in a more extensive solar system to be self-sufficient. And you’ll also need a battery to use solar power all day and night.

Compare Panel Efficiency and Types

Solar PV is classified into monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. Each has a different efficiency rating as well as a different price point. You need to consider which solar panel system has high efficiency. 

Monocrystalline cells are the most efficient because they are made from large silicon crystals. They are also more expensive. 

Polycrystalline cells are made using silicone moulds. Therefore, it is less expensive. But also slightly less effective than monocrystalline cells.  

Thin film panels are inexpensive but much less efficient than other types. 

Before purchasing a solar power system, inquire with your installer about the solar panels’ life cycle and efficiency. Check the warranty to ensure a plan that will last many years. 

Understand Your Battery Storage Options

technician workers near solar panels station engineers checking alternative energy and using sunlight for producing electric

Solar PV systems generate the most amount of energy during the day. Consider solar battery storage if you spend most of your day at work. Solar batteries enable you to store energy generated during the day when the sun isn’t shining. 

The battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). If 60% of your energy consumption occurs at night, you may want a battery to store that amount. 

However, solar battery storage can be costly, so consider a feed-in tariff system to get the money back.  

Lifestyle changes can help reduce your nighttime energy usage. For inspiration, check out our guide on how to get the most out of solar. 

How Many Batteries Will You Require?

This is an interesting question. Solar batteries for homes actually depend on your goals for your solar batteries. Most people set out to reduce their grid electricity imports to zero.  

As you’ll see, most households have big energy storage goals with more expenses. But how many solar panels run a house? “What size solar battery do I need” is a natural question you ask yourself.  

Let’s go over how much energy storage an average Australian household will require. 

The average Australian home consumes approximately 16kWh of electricity per day. Please read this if you need clarification on the difference between a kW and a kWh – it is critical). 

Most Australians work 9 to 5 jobs and are not at home during the day. They will probably only use about 30% of their electricity when the sun shines.  

That means they must buy the remaining 70% from the grid. How many solar batteries will be required to cover that 70%? 

Solar Battery System Sizing

Regarding system sizing, battery sizes are measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. 

As mentioned before, an average home consumes 16kWh of energy. And 30% of the energy is consumed in the daytime and 70% at night. That mounts up to approximately 5kWh consumed during the day and 11kWh consumed at night. 

Based on simple maths, the average Australian would require approximately 11kWh of solar battery storage to offset all their night usage. 

As of February 2023, the Tesla Powerwall 2 has a capacity of 13.5kWh, costing around $16,600 fully installed.  

Remember that you do not need batteries to offset your nighttime electricity consumption. If you run the numbers, the first kWh of energy storage has the best payback because it works the hardest. As of the next kWh, the payback becomes longer.  

However, the most important consideration when sizing and comparing solar batteries is that it is only possible when you thoroughly understand your energy usage profile. First, you’ll need a good energy monitor in your home with accurate data. 

Then, a good installer will use their software to show you the optimal number of batteries and solar panels for your situation and the payback period. After that, instead of leaping into the unknown, you’ll go into your solar battery investment with your eyes wide open. 

Get Free Quotes and Professional Advice

At Solar Emporium, we take each client through a one-on-one energy consultation to design the best solar system for their specific needs. Therefore, we’ll handle everything about your solar panel installation process. 

Our experienced specialists will guide you every step of the way. They will work with you to design the perfect solar system for your family, considering your electricity consumption, roof layout, goals, and budget. 

Are you ready to begin your solar panels and battery journey with us? Contact us today for a free quote. To learn more, call us at 1300 063 350. 

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How Long do Lithium Solar Batteries Last

how long do lithium solar batteries last
Solar batteries are the most valuable and rewarding addition to your solar setup. Among many kinds of solar batteries available in the market, like lead-acid and flow batteries, Lithium-ion batteries are considered to be the superior choice. The return on investment in Li-ion batteries is promising, which is why many solar battery companies and EV companies are gravitating towards it.
Now the question is, how long do lithium solar batteries last? Generally, Li-ion batteries are capable of providing you with sufficient backup for 5 to 15 years, depending on the brand, build, and how you have been treating the battery. So, it’s safe to assume once you invest in high-quality solar batteries, you can expect them to be by your side for a minimum of 10 to 12 years on average.
If you are wondering about battery backup in case of a power outage or a blackout of several days, then there are many attributes to take into account in this instance. How big the battery is and what you plan to run using the battery is what will shape the figure in hours of battery backup.

Brief Discussion on How Li-ion Batteries Work

For your ease of understanding, let us discuss the battery on a cellular level in its simplest form. So, in its simplest form, Li-ion battery, the anode (negative side) is made out of graphite, and the cathode (positive side) is made of lithium metal oxide, which is the essence of this battery. Both the anode and cathode are submerged in an electrolyte which in this case is lithium salt. Also, there is a separator in between, which helps in the exchange of electrons.
how long do solar batteries last
While the entire system is up and running, positive ions of lithium flow through the electrolyte to the negative side of the system to the anode to form a bond with the carbon of that side. While this is happening, an electron gets released in the cathode side as a reaction to what’s happening as a whole. So, the lithium metal oxide is now a lithium-ion, metal oxide, and a stray electron. This is what happens at the cellular level when you are charging the lithium cell.
Now let’s see what happens when you discharge electricity from it, AKA using the battery. At this stage, the electron flows in the opposite direction, which is basically what electricity is. A load is connected at this point of discharge, and the flow of electrons keeps the battery working.
Li-ion batteries are generally considered better despite being a tad more expensive than others because they are-
  • Smaller in size
  • Easy to maintain
  • Has a greater DOD (Depth of Discharge)
  • Offers more generic cycles to go through
  • Has a longer lifespan
  • Capable of fast charging

How Long Do Lithium Battery Last in a Blackout – Solar Battery Backup

On average, every Australian household that opts for a solar battery goes for no less than a 10kW battery backup option, which can provide your family with sufficient electricity for an entire day during a power outage. Here is a breakdown of the exact kilowatt-hour usage of a lithium solar battery if used strategically throughout a 24 hours span. Click here.
But if you opt for a battery even bigger, you can go for longer without a grid connection. Off grid homes are the epitome of an example of how a battery backup, along with solar panels, works in synchronization to run a household without any utility grid connection. The battery is charging as you use it or not to form a seamless flow of electricity in such cases.

Factors that Influence Solar Battery Lifespan – Dod

solar battery lifespan
Every battery on the market has a Dod (Depth of Discharge) percentage that the manufacturer advises. Dod is the maximum amount of solar battery that can be used before it has to be recharged. The more Dod, the longer you can go without charging the battery. If your 10kW solar battery, for instance, has a 95% Dod, you may consume around 9.5kW of the electricity before plugging it back in.
You can use the entire battery at once, but you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep it in excellent condition and extend its lifespan. Otherwise, this costly investment won’t provide the greatest results possible.
More and more individuals are converting to home batteries as technology improves because they are capable of storing excess energy that is produced by fully green sources like solar panels, hydropower, and wind. Being self-sufficient with a home battery is the best approach to eliminating your carbon footprint and becoming totally energy-independent.
By selecting the get help tab down below, you can schedule a free consultation appointment with one of our solar professionals to learn more about your energy usage pattern and how you can also become energy independent.

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How Long will a 10kw Battery Last – Household Energy Basics

How long will a 10kw battery last
Imagine going a day or two without using any power sources; even an hour without electricity feels like a lifetime! That is dreadful! Well to be honest with the rising power prices and increasing political tension between the multiple nations it’s a risky take to not opt for a 10kW battery backup as soon as you can. Likewise, with the availability of government refunds it is simpler now, but there is no assurance for it to be accessible tomorrow! On that subject, how big a battery should you opt for? How long will a 10kW battery last? These are all legitimate questions, therefore we attempted to summarize them for you in this article.

How Many Hours of Backup Can I Get During Power Outage?

An average household uses up to 750W to a 1000W of electricity during a blackout or power outage situation; assuming they are only using what is necessary to keep things up and going. In that case a 10kW AKA 10,000W battery has the ability to back you up for 10 to 12 hours at a stretch. If you don’t draw power constantly then count an hour or two extra in that time crunch.
However, there is something extremely crucial to understand in this conversation. You will be spending a good amount of money purchasing a 10kW battery, so I assume you would expect that to last at least the max guarantee years. To achieve so, you are going to have to abide by some the manufacturers guidelines to keep your battery alive and well for a long time.
how long will 10kw battery last
All the batteries in the market come with a Dod (Depth of Discharge) percentage which is recommended by the manufacturer. Dod refers to what percentage of the solar battery you can use up before recharging it again. The greater the Dod the more of the battery you can use before recharging. For example, if your 10kW solar battery has 95% Dod, that means you can use about 9.5kW of the power before plugging it back in.
You can use up the whole battery at a go, but in order to keep it in good shape and increased longevity you have to abide by the manufacturer’s rules. Otherwise, this expensive of an investment will not be delivering the best it can. Remember, frequently charging and discharging the solar battery will significantly shorten its lifespan.

A Realistic Example – A Days Consumption

For instance, you are experiencing a blackout. You have a 10kW battery with 95% Dod, that means the optimum kW of energy for you to use now is 9.5kW. In this case, let us look at an example of how and where you can use this power.
  • Medium radiator (heating source) uses 1200W and hour meaning 1200*4=4800W 4hrs a day
  • Three 11W LED lights is 33W an hour and 33*12= 396W for the night time
  • A 400L refrigerator uses 68W an hour which is 68*24= 1632W a day
  • A large flat screen TV uses 100W and hour which is 100*3= 300W for a movie and more
  • A vacuum cleaner uses 1200W an hour and I guess that suffices
  • A warm wash cycle in the washing machine uses about 900W of electricity
  • Miscellaneous use let’s say its 500W for power points to charge your phone
In total that comes to 9728W or 9.7kW approximately watts day being very generous in terms of electricity use. Pretty sure vacuuming during a power shortage situation will probably not be your top priority but we still included that in the calculation to paint a realistic day in most of ours lives.
So, How long will a 10kW battery last? You can see a 10kW battery is more than enough to run your household smoothly for a day if you fully charge it once.

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How Long Do Solar Batteries Last | Solar Battery Lifespan

How Long Do Solar Batteries Last
Due to the advancements of recent government rebates and many energy-saving projects, adapting to the renewable energy lifestyle is becoming the new normal. In that train of thought comes the idea of getting solar batteries. Solar batteries are the single most awesome addition to your rooftop solar that can double the benefits of having solar overnight!
Now that I have made it clear that getting solar batteries is something you should be considering, there are other attributes of a battery that you should know. Not all solar batteries will serve you equally, and even getting solar batteries now will not make sense for every household. So, before making the commitment getting to know about them should be your no.1 priority.

How Solar Batteries Work

When the sunlight hits the silicone-made solar panels, they start making electricity from direct sunlight and pass that through a solar inverter to transform the generated electricity into a usable form. Strictly technically speaking, there is no true end or pause of the electricity generation of PV panels until they hit their expiry date, which is like 25 years and 30 for some brands.
solar battery australia
Without solar batteries, the additional electricity generated by the panels will be exported to the grid, against which you will get Feed-in-tariff. Fit rates are generally not very charming. In that case, solar batteries are added to the solar system. They store that surplus of power for you to use when the peak demand hours charge a lot to import power from the grid. Saves you a lot of money in comparison to what you will make through Fit.
Getting batteries also aligns with the government’s recently developed Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), to be inaugurated on 1st November. PDRS focuses on reducing energy usage at the peak hours of the day by incentivizing the installation of efficient gadgets and more. You can do your part by using energy-efficient gadgets and relying on battery units as opposed to the utility grid for a change. This change saves you money and saves mother nature in the long run, too; it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

How Long Do Solar Batteries Last

After purchase, a high-quality solar battery system should provide you with support for the next 15 years. However, there are batteries on the market that have an 8-to-10-year lifespan but are less expensive. To be honest, there is no reason to settle if you are considering investing in solar batteries in the first place. Because it is an investment, if you combine it with a high-quality solar system, clearly, it can give you free energy for as long as it lasts.
There are also many types of solar batteries which serve you at different capacities and run for a different number of years. The most popular types of solar batteries are lithium-ion batteries and led acid batteries.

Lithium-Ion Battery

lithium-ion battery technology is preferred by battery companies because of its greater DoD (Depth of Discharge), dependability, capacity to store more energy for a longer period of time, and smaller size. However, lithium-ion batteries are more costly than lead-acid batteries owing to their advantages.

Lead-Acid Battery

Since they have been available for so long, lead-acid batteries—which employ the same technology as the majority of automobile batteries—have been extensively used as in-home energy storage units for off the grid power choices. Although they are still available on the market at reasonable costs, their popularity is dwindling because of their poor DoD and short lifetime.

Solar Battery Cost- Would This Break My Bank?

Each kWh of solar battery storage used to cost between $3000 and $3600 for the battery alone, without including installation fees. For each kWh of solar battery storage, you may currently expect to pay between $1200 and $1400. Prices have dropped by almost 52%, and things can only get better from here.
Does this mean solar batteries are now affordable? Not really, but the benefits of having a battery backup system more than outweigh the expense.
However, just like any other category, there are also luxury brands of solar batteries. But in this aspect, these brands tend to provide and outdo the competitors in many cases which come, you guessed it, at a price. For example, Tesla batteries. Tesla’s solar battery cost can easily defeat others in the category in terms of being expensive.
Additionally, there are several key factors to consider to make when purchasing solar batteries, including the battery’s kind, compatibility with your solar panel system, brand, and installation company.
Most of them will have an impact on the price range.

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Can I Add a Battery to My Solar System

Can I Add a Battery to My Solar System
With a vast majority of the population opting to go solar to retaliate against the increasing power bills and grabbing the opportunity of declining solar battery prices, it’s safe to say we are heading in the right direction. Many of us already have rooftop solar, and in an attempt to get the most out of the solar system, adding a solar battery should be on top of our priority list. Kudos to you, as you are already thinking about it, judging from the fact you are here in the first place.
So, the topic of discussion is, can I add a battery to my solar system if I wish to? The short and simple answer to that is yes, yes, you can. However, there are some things that you need to double-check before you think about it. Although solar battery prices are indeed falling, they can’t just be labeled as something cheap, not yet.
Before we jump to that, it’s essential to know the basics of how solar battery works.
adding solar battery with panels

How Solar Battery Works?

There are two types of solar battery storage systems to consider when on the topic. One is AC coupled, and the other is DC coupled solar battery.
In an AC-coupled system, solar panels produce DC power, which is then converted into AC electricity via a solar inverter. Your house appliances may then get this AC power, or it may go to another inverter, which will convert it back to DC so that it may be stored in a battery system. Any power that is stored in a battery system for AC-coupled systems must be reversed three times before it can be used back in the house.
On the other hand-
A DC-coupled system means that there is no inversion of solar power from DC to AC and back before the electricity is stored in the battery. Instead, DC solar electricity flows from solar panels to a charge controller that immediately feeds into a battery system. Any solar-generated electricity will only undergo one inversion (from DC to AC), either when it travels from batteries to your home’s electrical system or out to the power grid. With a DC-coupled system, your house is inevitably dependent on the battery for its primary source of energy if not connected to the grid.
Besides that, built-wise, there once again are several types of batteries available in the market. For instance, nickel-cadmium batteries, flow batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lead-acid batteries. Because of their low cost, lead acid batteries are by far the most common option among all of these battery kinds. However, they need regular maintenance and are vulnerable to damage if not handled carefully. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are also growing in popularity lately.
Now that you are familiar with the basics of solar batteries, here is a list of things to check before you can add a battery to your solar system-

Existing Solar Inverter Compatibility

As discussed above, there are two types of solar battery storage systems which work in two different ways. Just like the batteries, there are different types of inverters that do the energy conversion of solar-generated DC electricity differently.
Your existing solar inverter can be a hybrid inverter or a standard inverter. In case you have a standard inverter, you are going to have to go through a bit more trouble. I will explain everything; bear with me.
DC VS AC coupled solar battery
You see, a standard inverter is only capable of converting DC to AC for the house to use. So, when you have a standard inverter, there are about two ways you can go by. The first option is to get rid of this system and add a charge controller, which can regulate the solar energy into going to the battery first, and tie it with a battery inverter that will supply electricity to your house. Needless to say, this is quite the expensive route to take as charge controllers that are able to take such a huge load are not cheap.
The second route to take, in case you have a standard inverter, is to opt for an AC-coupled system. This way, your system remains the same; it just gets an addition of a hybrid inverter with batteries. In this scenario, when the grid is down, the hybrid inverter steps up to keep the entire thing up and going. Without the hybrid inverter, your solar system will shut down if the grid goes down, but with the addition of the hybrid inverter, the sine waves produced by it trigger the standard inverter to keep on generating electricity, which then gets stored in the battery bank. Also used in the house.
Then comes the situation where you have a hybrid inverter. In this case, adding the battery bank will be a breeze as this one is equipped to convert both ways. Thus, saving you the hassle of getting to figure out the whole thing once again.
However, there still remains the question of how much load the inverter is able to handle and so many other things. For all these calculations and figuring out, I believe it’s best to just leave things to the professionals.

Budget

With a minimum value, you can get yourself a working battery or an amazing one. You have to figure out what your needs are and take into consideration your area, your future demands, etc.; with the calculation of everything, you have to map out a budget for the solar battery. There are many companies, including us, who can sort you out a financial plan; also, there are government rebates to help you become energy independent.

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Should I Get Solar Battery for My Solar Panel?

should i get solar batteries for my solar panel
One out of four households in Australia has rooftop solar panels in today’s date. Can you guess why people accepted this change with open arms? To get away from the rising electric bills, of course. Also, with the prevalence of solar rebates at the federal and state level altogether, it made perfect sense for you and I to go solar. Because who wouldn’t like the opportunity to save money while saving nature at the same time, right?
Apart from all those good things, do you know what can make this investment even more fruitful? Adding a solar battery storage system to the whole deal. “But aren’t solar batteries expensive?” this is exactly what you might be thinking to yourself. Well, that is not incorrect, but aren’t cars expensive? What about a house? But we still invest in those assets, don’t we? Just like that, getting a solar battery is also an investment that goes a long way if you make the right calls at the right time.
It sounds a bit confusing with just that much information so let me help you out by answering your question, ‘should I get solar battery for my solar panel’ a bit elaborately.

Your Household Electricity Needs

The first step to figuring out if you should go for a solar battery is to know how much electricity you use on a regular day. Calculating that is simple; all you have to do is take a look at your electric bill copy. There you can find a breakdown of your average use in Kilowatts.
solar battery
For an average household of two people, the total consumption of electricity quarterly can be around 950kWh to 1000kWh, with 10kWh to 15kWh daily peak usage. This comes down significantly with the addition of solar panels on the roof and totally disappears with the addition of solar batteries. Since the batteries store electricity for you to use at your convenience, you will be using what you generate through the panels, scratching the grid altogether, and paying zero electric bills.
There is so much more to figure out in this scenario, but with the right assessment and experts working on your property, it’s totally plausible.

How Much Electricity Do My Panels Generate?

Assuming you already have rooftop solar panels, how much electricity they generate is a huge factor to consider. With a smaller solar system that barely fulfills your needs during the day, adding a battery will not be the brightest idea. A battery should be added to such PV systems that are capable of yielding a significant amount of energy.
However, there is an exception to the scenario.
If your area is prone to blackouts, or you get charged a stupidly high rate for energy bills, getting solar batteries in such cases is the optimum thing to do.
Also, if there is room for expansion of your solar array in case you have a smaller system, it’s a smart move if you do so. Because in the end, solar panels are the best way to generate electricity rather than depending on the grid.

When Do I Need Electricity the Most?

Let’s say you do have a smaller solar panel system. As we know, solar panels are able to generate the most electricity during peak hours, which are around 10 am to 3 pm. If you are not around the house at that time, which most people usually aren’t because of work or school, the entire amount of energy generated by even that small system of yours will be exported to the grid. Earning you Feed-it-tariff credits in the process, if applicable, but the credit you get in return is quite insignificant judging today’s market.
What can you do in this case? Get solar batteries so you can store the electricity produced by your panels in the peak solar hours. This way, you will have electricity stored in the batteries to use when the price of grid energy is high. Essentially using free energy when grid users are paying high prices.
solar battery cost

Price of Solar Battery

Recent decreases in solar battery prices are the result of major technological advancements and the availability of resources. Naturally, that doesn’t imply they are suddenly inexpensive, but the decrease is astonishing. A kWh of solar battery storage used to cost anywhere between $3000 and $3600 only for the battery, without including installation. For each kWh of solar battery storage, you can now anticipate paying between $1200 and $1400. It will only get better from here on out—and that’s a price reduction of about 52%.

How Long Do Solar Batteries Last?

A quality solar battery system should back you up for the upcoming 15 years to come after purchasing. But there are also batteries available in the market which last 8 to 10 years, but they cost lesser in comparison. To tell you the truth, if you are planning to invest in solar batteries, there is no need to settle for less; as I already told you, it’s an investment. An investment that can provide you with free energy for as long as it last, obviously, if you pair it up with a quality solar system.
Additionally, by switching to green energy, you not only save a ton of money but also drastically lower your carbon footprint and inspire others to do the same. It’s a crucial measure to protect the next generation from the dramatic and catastrophic effects of global warming.

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Power Generator VS Solar Battery Storage | Which is Right for You?

Power Generator VS Solar Battery Storage
If you live in an area that faces frequent power outages having a backup power source always can give you peace of mind. To keep running your power outlets, you need backup options in the form of power generators, solar batteries, etc.; however, there always remains confusion about whether you should go for a diesel-powered generator or solar battery storage unit.
There are some advantages as well as disadvantages of both options. Depending on your household and expectations from your backup power, you must make the call on which one is right for you. In order to make the decision, you need all the right information, and here is a brief discussion on the topic-
But first, let’s get to know how power generators and solar batteries work.

Power Generators

A diesel/power generator, usually referred to as a Genset, is a piece of machinery made up of an electric generator/alternator and a diesel engine. Together, these two components transform diesel fuel into electrical energy. Most standby diesel generators provide reinforcements. If your power system fails during a storm or the busiest time of the day, they are designed to turn on and supply you with electricity.
Two types of generators are available, one is permanent, and the other is portable. The core difference between the two is mainly their capacity. Also, their maintenance and price point are contrasting for obvious reasons.
power generator
There are also other non-renewable fuel-run generators in the market, such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, etc. As these power generators run on fossil fuels, they will work if there is fuel to power them. However, they also have their limitations and only can serve you so many hours as your specific model of the generator can push too. Overuse of such machines can be dangerous for you and the machine itself.

Solar Batteries

Solar batteries are energy storage systems that are designed to store the surplus amount of energy that is generated by your solar panel system. Your rooftop solar continuously generates power as long as the sun is shining. You consume solar-generated electricity as the day passes by to do stuff around the house all day, but a quality solar system can generate more electricity than you can use in a day. Where does that excess energy go, then? It either gets exported back to the utility grid, or you can store it in a solar battery.
Solar batteries are smart pieces of technology that not only understand when and how much to store after your household needs are met but also, in the case of an off the grid solar system, can sense when to trigger the power generator to work in case of sunlight unavailability. Furthermore, solar batteries also remain in constant communication with the solar inverter to understand when to store energy. The entire process of running and using solar batteries is seamless and hassle-free. And the best part is, you don’t have to interfere; it does everything necessary by itself, unlike power generators.
As the batteries rely on non-renewable sources like solar, there is essentially no cost of running for them. You don’t need anything else but a plentiful supply of sunshine for the batteries to be full, of course, using solar panels.

Difference Between a Solar Battery and Power Generator

Here are some core differences between both-

Reliability- power supply and quality

Generators often provide lower-quality energy that is vulnerable to power surges and other problems that can harm electronic devices like computers. They frequently require manual startup, indicating that their power source is not continuous (unless you have an automatic switch installed on a permanent generator.) Home batteries can be configured to offer a smooth backup power source that starts up in milliseconds after an electrical loss. Also, less vulnerable to surges and disruptions are home batteries.

Labour and maintenance

Solar batteries can charge themselves; on the other hand, you must refuel your generator once or twice, even thrice a day, if needed. Additionally, households using generators must store conditioning chemicals, all of which must be maintained outside and might be hazardous.

Backup hours – runtime

If your generator has fuel, it will run itself. However, the possibility of the machine getting overworked and turning useless is also high. Solar batteries, on the other hand, can run without you worrying about them breaking down, but if your solar panels fail to yield enough energy to charge the batteries, that can be troublesome. Although, it is a rare case, especially for quality solar panel system designed by the experts.

Carbon emission

As the generator solely relies on non-renewables like gas, diesel, propane, etc., it’s inevitable for the generators to not emit harmful GHG gases. In contrast, solar batteries run on renewables which means zero carbon emissions.
solar power outlet

Cost of running

In the case of solar batteries, there is only an upfront and a one-time cost of purchasing and installing the unit. After that, you can expect to sit back, relax and enjoy the amazing perks of solar batteries. There might be occasional maintenance expenses which are rare when the unit reaches old age. Batteries run on free energy generated by the panels, and the source is our mighty sun.
The scenario is completely different for power generators. With the ongoing political tension and issues between major nations, prices of fossil fuels have skyrocketed. After you pay to purchase the generator, there will always be a recurring expense of buying fuel. So, it’s safe to assume generators cost more to run. Learn more about the price hike here.
In conclusion, if you are looking forward to an investment from which you can reap benefits for years to come and be carbon neutral, solar batteries are the way to go. Although purchasing generators is cheaper, the hassle that comes with them, not to mention the cost of running them, does not seem appealing to most.

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Do Solar Batteries Work in A Blackout

Do solar batteries work in a blackout
Solar panels are an amazing addition to any household in becoming energy independent.
Adding a home solar battery to your system can potentially make you invincible when it comes to blackouts.
Do solar batteries work in a blackout? Yes!
However, your solar batteries won’t function unless you have blackout protection. And there are other attributes that may or may not allow your solar system to function during such an event.
This might sound a bit complicated, so let me explain your options to stay connected to a power source even during a blackout.

How Do Solar Batteries Work?

Solar batteries are storage units of backup power on which you can rely in the event of a power outage or at night when the solar panels can’t produce electricity. Whether it is a grid-connected system or an off grid system, you can have solar batteries added to both of them. However, when offered a high Feed-in-tariff (pretty rare nowadays), solar owners tend to gravitate towards exporting power to the grid instead of storing it in the battery, losing power autonomy in the process.
solar batteries
A typical solar storage system usually stores the surplus of energy generated by the solar panels. The surplus being whatever energy is left after your average household needs are met. Solar panels can generate more than what you need if the system works at its peak potential, you have an oversized system, or simply because you are a light energy consumer and for many other reasons.
The point of having solar batteries is to keep you connected at all times. There are several types of solar batteries available in the market for you to choose from. For instance, there are nickel-cadmium batteries, flow batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lead-acid batteries. Because of their low cost, lead acid batteries are by far the most common option among all of these battery kinds. However, they need regular maintenance and are susceptible to damage if not treated properly. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are also growing in popularity lately.

Blackout Protection Mode- Home Solar Batteries

In order for solar batteries to continue working and provide you with energy, you have to have blackout protection mode. No, not every solar battery comes with a blackout protection mode; there are specific batteries that either have it or they don’t. For this, you have to have a chat with your solar battery installers.
Let’s imagine ourselves in one of these situations to get to understand the concept a tad better.
Suppose you are connected to the grid, and suddenly your area experiences a blackout. The first thing that will happen is your solar panels will stop working, meaning the solar panels will stop feeding energy to the solar inverter, thus having no power in the outlets. This is true if you have a grid-connected system without solar batteries or batteries without blackout protection mode.
blackout backup with batteries
It happens for the sake of the safety of the people working to fix the issue that caused the blackout in the first place. If the grid-connected solar panels keep on generating energy, then the possibility remains that the surplus will be exported back to the grid, being fatal for the workers.
In such a scenario, your solar batteries will get the signal of the blackout within seconds. Depending on the type of battery and how it works, the time delay may vary. As mentioned before, to trigger the blackout mode, your batteries need to have a blackout protection mode. Only then the stored energy will flow back to the house.

For How Long Can You Depend on Solar Batteries During a Blackout?

There are two things that can happen in a situation like this.
First, your solar batteries will only be usable till the point they run dry. This is simple; whatever much energy is left in the batteries, you will get only that much to work through. As the panels have already stopped working for safety purposes, there is no more energy to store for later. Point to be noted; this also depends on the blackout protection mode provided with your batteries. Depending on the battery manufacturer, your blackout protection mode will be able to handle a different amount of load. Some can handle up to 7kW, while other batteries can go only to 2.5kW.
In a different scenario, you can go for days with a quality solar system paired with a top-notch battery in case there is a blackout. For this to happen, your batteries need to have the functionality to let the solar panels keep working in such events. Of course, without exporting any energy back to the grid.
It goes without saying that with an off the grid system, a blackout has no effect on your life. As going off the grid means being energy independent and self-sufficient. It’s the ultimate protection from power outages, blackouts, and outrageous electricity bills at the end of the quarter.

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Should I Get a Solar Battery Storage System

should i get a solar battery storage system
Frequent power outages, unreliable grid connection, low feed-in-tariff, and high electric bills, can you relate to these frustrating issues? If yes, then without a doubt, a solar battery storage system is the solution to your problems. Besides, if you have an outstanding solar panel system yielding a ton of energy, the surplus of which you are exporting to the grid in exchange for a low FiT, you can surely go for a solar battery.
In short, to answer your question, should I get a solar battery storage system the answer is yes, for the most part. However, in certain circumstances, it’s also not necessary to go for a battery; all of those, along with the pros and cons of solar batteries, are discussed below.

What Am I Missing Out on Without Solar Batteries?

To tell you the truth, you are missing out on the best bit of having solar panels. Renewable sources of energy like solar, hydro, and wind makes us feel empowered with their ability to exterminate our carbon footprint, not to mention the low electricity bill. Along with those good things, we also have the opportunity to sustain on our own, at least for power which is a massive deal. But without batteries, it’s next to impossible to become energy independent.
solar battery storage system
Without a Battery storage system, you are missing out on-

Free Power Backup on Demand

Solar batteries store the excess amount of energy generated by your solar panels to be used at a later time. But in case of irregular cases like your solar panels struggling to generate enough energy, you can use the battery at will. Also, when you conserve excess solar energy, you can use it at night when the electricity prices are higher because of high demand.

Being Self Dependent

You have gone through the trouble of installing solar panels on your rooftop. The goal is to generate as much energy as possible through this source to not stay dependent on the grid. When your panels are able to satisfy your needs and do more, it gives you the perfect opportunity to ditch the grid for good. Making you self-sustained and worry-free.

What Size Battery Do I Need?

I believe you recognize by now how solar batteries can be amazing at serving us with more power independency. So, that brings us to the question of how big of a battery would suffice your needs. The answer to this question solely depends on you and your family’s needs. There is no one-size battery that will make financial or functional sense for everyone.
Nevertheless, if you have an average family of four with no exceptional power demands, you may get by with a 10kWh to 12kWh battery bank as a ready-to-roll backup system. I repeat, this is just an estimation with no knowledge of your power needs; selecting a battery is highly subjective to the household in question.
With that being said, you can get a good idea of how much power you use on average by analyzing your electric bill copy. Also, keeping track of what appliances you use the most and what requires the most power will help you. I would suggest leaving that to the professionals as the chances of getting the wrong numbers are high with a do-it-yourself approach, and solar batteries are just too expensive to make an error.
solar battery price

How Much Do Solar Batteries Cost?

Previously, you would have to pay between $3000 and $3600 for the battery alone, plus the cost of installation, for every kWh of solar battery storage. Currently, you may anticipate paying between $1200 and $1400 for each kWh of solar battery storage. That is a price reduction of approximately 52%, and things will only get better from here.
Does that imply solar batteries are cheap now? Not really, but the cost is well justified by the pros of having a battery storage system.
Also, while paying for solar batteries, you have to counter in many other factors like the type of battery, your solar panel system configurations and compatibility, brand, and installation partner. These will influence the price range for the most part. Learn more about the cost of solar batteries here.

The Pros and Cons of Solar Battery at a Glance

I won’t blame you if you feel a little overwhelmed about making a decision because I understand it’s a tough one. So, here is a list of pros and cons of having a solar battery to help you in the decision-making process-

Pros

  • Solar batteries help you become self-sustaining
  • You don’t have to care about power outages anymore
  • In the event of any natural disaster, you will still have a power source
  • Battery prices are dropping significantly as we speak
  • During peak hours, grid electricity prices increase due to high demand; you can avoid paying a high price and use your battery. It’s essentially free energy as solar generates energy from the sun.
  • Reduced carbon footprint as the battery stores energy from a renewable source.

Cons

  • Batteries can be expensive, and that is the only weakness I can point out. Nonetheless, any investment comes at a price, and it depends on you whether or not that investment makes sense for you.
In conclusion, if you should get a solar battery storage system depends on your energy usage pattern, your living condition, your area etc. But as a general query, getting solar batteries to tie with your solar panel system is the best approach in your energy independence journey.

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How Much are Solar Batteries | Cost of Battery

how much are solar batteries
Adopting renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, etc., as the primary energy feeder for a household is the best possible way to become carbon-free. However, if you want to completely eliminate your dependency on the grid and receive zero electric bills at the month’s end, solar batteries are the way to go.
Solar batteries are amazing; there is no room for doubt. Although, the pros of having a battery attached to your solar system is a clear win. Still, the question remains, how much are solar batteries? Here’s a brief discussion.

Price Range of Solar Batteries

Prices of solar batteries have dropped down recently due to significant improvements in technology and the availability of resources. Of course, that doesn’t mean they are cheap now, but the drop is astounding. Previously for each kWh of solar battery storage, you would have to pay somewhere around $3000 to $3600 for battery only plus the installation cost. Now, you can expect to pay about $1200 to $1400 for each kWh storage of solar battery. That’s almost a 52% price drop, and it will only get better from here onwards.
solar battery price
To make more sense out of those numbers, imagine a typical family of four. With no extraordinary power usage on average, they would require about 38kW to 40kW to live comfortably. Assuming they are not connected to the grid and have solar as their sole energy source, the majority of that power need will be satisfied with direct solar power. They will only require extra when the sun doesn’t shine, and that can be compensated with solar batteries. That power need can be assumed to be around 12kWh to 15kWh. Note that I am being generous with numbers here; you might not even need this much for a family of four.
Assuming that the family is in need of a 12kWh battery depending on power, that will cost them around 12kWh*$1200= $14,400 to have solar batteries tied with the solar system. Yes, by no means is that a small number, but you have to consider its advantages. Also, don’t forget it is an investment to yield benefits for the upcoming ten years at a minimum with zero electric bills. Now that sounds like a fantastic deal, doesn’t it?

What Influences Solar Battery Cost?

Type of Battery
Many types of solar batteries are available for grabs in the Australian market as we speak. Different battery types come with different pros and cons. However, there are two most popular types used for solar energy storage, which are-
  • Lead-acid battery
  • Lithium-ion battery
Lead acid batteries are cheaper in comparison and are the most popular type of solar battery at the moment. However, they are not the most efficient option out there, as they require regular maintenance. On the other hand, Li-ion batteries are seemingly better alternatives to lead-acid ones as they require little to no maintenance, charge faster, offers a greater DOD (Depth of Discharge), and so much more. But it’s to be noted that li-ion batteries cost more than lead acid batteries.
Installation
Cost is also dependent on installation as that is also a factor that adds more to the initial number. A certified and insured solar installer should oversee the installation of solar batteries, which is non-negotiable in order to achieve power independency. Making modifications to your current solar power system yourself can jeopardize the battery, and the system, so a do-it-yourself approach is discouraged by solar emporium unless you are an approved installer yourself, of course.
With the installation process comes labor cost, and this is also a factor that varies from person to person, depending on the installation site and the work time.
solar battery cost
Size
Of course, the size of the battery hugely impacts the cost. If you want more hours of battery backup, the battery will be more expensive, and vice versa.
Brand
Certain brands are expected to cost more because of the superior quality offered by them, along with the faith that comes with those brand names. For example, a Tesla powerwall will definitely cost you more than any other battery brand for its brand value, and outstanding quality claimed by the company. Other renowned brands also follow the same agenda.
Inverter Type
If you already have a solar system installed on your rooftop, you definitely also have an inverter. Depending on the type of inverter, the cost of the battery may increase as a whole. If you do not have a battery-ready hybrid inverter, your cost of having a battery will significantly go up as you are going to have to get a brand-new inverter with the system.
But that is not the only way around, you may get away with additional wiring and small changes around the solar system, but that is strongly subjective to your inverter type.
So, those are the factors that influence the cost of the battery. Please note that along with these factors, the numbers may fluctuate depending on your needs and your house. To be precise in this journey, and save money in the long run, it’s easier and best to consult with an expert in the field. Also, if you want to claim government rebates, all of your components and installation partners need to be CEC (Clean Energy Council) approved.

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