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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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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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How Long Do Home Batteries Last

Home solar batteries are the only way for anyone to become completely energy independent. In a circumstance where you are connected to the grid, you don’t have the authority to dictate your power usage and may lose access to it due to issues that are out of your control. A solar battery grants you complete control of your power usage, making you self-reliant.

And, of course, home solar batteries are an absolute necessity for an off the grid household.

With that comes the question, how long do home batteries last? Do solar batteries last as long as solar panels? Let’s find out.

Home Solar Battery Lifespan

On average solar batteries have a lifespan of 5 to 20 years. Although that depends on many external factors like the type of battery, full cycle usage, dependability, warranty and more. But you can expect your home solar battery if installed correctly and in good condition to serve you for at least 5 to 20 years.

Within the lifespan of the battery, there are two stages of that in which the battery backup capacity is divided. Which are-

Useful Life of Battery- A solar battery has a limited number of uses before reaching the end of its “useful life.” When a battery falls short of meeting around 60% of its nominal storage capacity, it is generally considered to have reached the end of its usable life. At lower percentages, the battery could still be able to work, but it probably won’t supply enough charge to fulfil your needs.

Warranty Period for the Battery- Your solar battery’s warranty specifies how long it will be operating properly under typical circumstances. The warranty length can range from 10 to 20 years, depending on the brand and model of solar battery you buy, with the majority being set at 10 years from the date of installation. A solar battery’s warranty typically ends when it fulfills one of three criteria.

Expiration of the warranty
Reached capacity (throughput)
Number of allocated cycles reached

Factors that Effect Solar Battery Lifespan

Battery type- There are many battery types available for solar energy storage. For example, Lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries etc. Among all these battery types, lead acid batteries are by far the most popular choice because of their economical price point; however, they require regular maintenance and are prone to damage if not handled with care. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are also becoming popular recently.

Because Li-ion batteries 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

Despite the performance difference, lead acid batteries are still the most popular choice at the moment. But in future, the scenario might be in favor of the Li-ion batteries as there are many car manufacturing companies adopting to this change for the better. And the solar industry is also gravitating toward the shift because of the increased benefits.

Maintenance- It’s important to check up on your home solar batteries once in a while to make sure they are operating at their peak performance. Some type of batteries requires less assistance than others.

Full cycle number– When your home solar battery is fully charged once and drained entirely is considered one entire cycle. How many times one has repeated this cycle is a determining factor of how long will the battery last. Depending on whether you live on or off the grid, the number of cycles a day will drastically change.

Heavy usage Vs light usage- How many cycles you get from your battery will depend on your usage, and that can affect the battery life, as previously mentioned. So, if you decide to run a few appliances and light up your house using the battery, you expect to run through fewer full cycles per day. On the other hand, if you are a heavy user and run power-hungry appliances on the battery, you will run through more cycles, and your battery lifespan may decrease.

Home batteries are getting adapted by more and more people as the days go by. As they are capable of storing the surplus of energy generated by the completely green source, e.g., solar arrays, hydropower and wind. In order to become completely energy independent and to remove your carbon footprint, becoming self-sufficient with a home battery is the way to go.

Learn more about your energy pattern and how you also can become energy independent with one of our solar experts and claim a free consultation session today by clicking the get help button down below.

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What Happens to Unused Solar Power

As long as the sun shines on your solar panel system, it will generate electricity, it can be less or more at times, but it’s guaranteed to generate power. Solar panels are versatile pieces of tech that don’t require external assistance to work. That is the reason why there can be times when your panels could generate more electricity than you need to run your everyday chores.

So, what happens to unused solar power? Does it go to waste? Not quite. This power surplus can be directed to many outlets to be stored or exported in a public shared utility grid. Let us explore more on the topic.

Grid Connected Solar System

If you have a solar system that is connected to the grid, you can expect the excessive energy to be transported back to the grid. Solar panels are made in a way that it’s not possible to physically turn them off. So, when the sunlight hits the solar panels, the silicon cells initiate the photovoltaic conversion from sunlight to DC (Direct Current), which eventually gets converted into AC (Alternating Current).

If your solar system yields more energy than your house needs in the case of a grid-connected system, then your solar inverters will dictate the situation smoothly. Your solar inverters determine whether the extra energy should be transported back to the grid or to the battery bank, if any.

What’s in it for you if the energy gets back to the utility grid? Seemingly it’s electricity generated by your paid system. There is an arrangement in place for situations like these, called Feed-in-tariff (FiT) which compensates solar owners for their contribution to the stream with energy credits.

It is a reimbursement for any extra power that is sent back to the grid. It’s often referred to as a buy-back rate and is typically paid as a credit on your bills at a defined amount per kilowatt hour. The terms and circumstances for your solar rates and your energy rates are different, and it depends on many external factors. Learn more about Fit here.

Off Grid Solar System

It’s quite a straightforward deal when your solar panels are installed off the grid. The surplus of energy, in this case, is stored in a battery bank which is typical for an off the grid solar system. One of the main components of an off the grid system is a battery bank because it’s essential to have excess energy to use at night.

But what happens when the batteries are full?

Previously when lead acid batteries were more common for solar energy storage, it was deemed dangerous to overcharge them. As these sorts of batteries release hydrogen gas, overcharging them poses a higher threat of explosion. However, overcharging modern lithium batteries does not harm them to a great extent. Due to the fact that they don’t normally release hydrogen gas, modern lithium batteries provide a far smaller risk. To guarantee the security of the system, they also contain an integrated computerized battery management system.

Learn more about off grid solar systems here.

Solar Safety – Know When to Stop Exporting

As discussed above, in an instance where the solar system is tied to the grid, the solar inverter can smoothly determine to export the surplus to the grid. This way, you can benefit from FiT and also help reduce the carbon footprint of the mass. This entire process is automated because of the ease of operation and cut back on redundancy.

However, there are times when people work on grid maintenance; also, solar panels continue to produce potentially fatal DC voltage in the case of a short circuit, fire, or water. These are potentially dangerous situations of which we need to be aware of.

Lastly, a well-designed solar system will produce energy in accordance with your needs. However, it’s always preferable to have more than to lack energy when needed. Either you export the surplus back to the utility grid or store it in a solar battery; it’s a win-win case in both circumstances. But refrain from overcharging the batteries to extend their lifetime.

Claim a free consultation session today with one of our solar experts to discuss your solar needs.

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Off Grid Solar Power Simplified – Off Grid 101

An off the grid solar system is simply a set-up that is not connected to any utility grid; thus, it’s an autonomous solar system that can generate enough power for an entire household, small office, or farm etc. However, putting together some panels and inverters without any prior assessment is a sure-fire way to waste money in exchange for a lousy PV module.

That brings us to today’s topic, how does the off grid system work in its true essence and how you can get the most out of it? Here’s off grid solar power simplified for your convenience, take a look.

What Is an Off Grid System Comprised Of

There are 5 main components that work together to create an excellent off the grid solar system.

Solar Panels– Solar panels, also known as PV modules, are the ones responsible for capturing sunlight and generating direct current, which is essentially electricity in its raw format. How much sunlight can the panels capture and effectively convert into electricity depends on module quality, quantity, amount of sunlight exposure, roof angle and geo-location.

Solar Inverters– The solar panels have generated electricity in the DC format, and that remains unusable until its run through the solar inverter. It converts DC into AC (alternating current) for the appliances to use and operate. There are many types of solar inverters, some of which are even capable of storing energy for later use. In an off grid house, you will be using a standalone inverter which is not connected to the grid.

Solar Batteries– Solar panels are designed to operate using the power of the sun, but for a majority of the households in Australia, electricity is most needed in the evening hours or at nighttime. To store the surplus of energy generated at midday (the most optimum solar hours), you will need solar batteries. It’s an essential component for an off grid solar system.

Solar Charge Controller– It’s not a feasible arrangement if you always have to manage the energy flow in the correct direction. To aid in that issue, a charge controller is necessary. It controls the direction of energy flow to the correct path according to the situation and prevents the solar batteries from overcharging, essentially extending their life.

Backup Generator– If all things go south, a diesel-powered backup generator will come to your rescue. It is not an everyday event with a quality system, but on the off chance you do experience a power outage through solar, it’s best to have an off grid solar system with a backup generator.

If you want to know more about how an off grid solar system works visit here.

Why Go Off the Grid?

Off grid solar is not for everyone that is true. But if you look at the electricity price hike in recent years, it makes total sense why people chose alternative energy sources like solar, wind etc., over the grid.

Because of the changes that happened on July 1st 2021, this year by the Australian Energy Regulator, using grid electricity has become more expensive when it’s a fact that this entire procedure actively participates in GHG (Green House Gas) emission.

Check out the exact price changes for the 2022-23 financial year here- Click me.

Besides the negative impact on the environment and increased prices of energy, it’s not a lucrative option for you to choose grid connection if you live in a remote area. While it almost costs a fortune to pay for a grid connection in remote areas, you will have to pay a hefty amount in electric bills each year.

On the other hand, choosing an off grid solar system will cost you less than a grid connection, and after installation, you will never have to worry about paying electric bills again (not at least in the upcoming 25 years). Not to mention the freedom over the system as well as the serenity that comes from living amid nature.

Pro-tips: Off Grid Solar System Basics

Here are some of the facts that you need to know before you go off the grid, along with some tips from our off grid solar experts-

It’s almost always better to upsize the solar system. As you will be living off the grid, an essence of uncertainty can make you nervous; we are only human. So, experts suggest you upsize your solar system to the point where you can go without charging your batteries for at least 2 days if necessary. You might not need it, but it doesn’t hurt to have it.
MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Tracker) are important. Your solar panels might struggle to operate at their maximum efficiency without MPPTs. For an off the grid solar system, its essential that you get the most out of your system, so it’s suggested that your system has MPPTs, yup multiples of them.
Some might say that cleaning your solar panels does not do much, but experts may tell you otherwise. It has been proven in many studies that not cleaning your solar panels can decrease their efficiency by up to 30%. So, please do keep your panels clean. Here is how you can clean your panels yourself- How to clean solar panels.
Be very aware of the local government rules and regulations. Different councils may have different legislations; you must be aware of them along with any changes while in the process of shifting to your off grid property. Your chances of claiming the government rebate depend on it. Learn more here.

Going off the grid is not only an attractive option for those who live in a remote area but also for those who are experiencing an unexpected surge in power bills.

Is going off the grid the right call for you? You will have to consult an energy expert to answer this question tailored to your circumstances. We can arrange a FREE consultation session for you with one of our solar experts; all you must do is click the get help button below.

Our Solar Experts are here to Help!

off grid solar Solar Solar Panel

What is the Best Off Grid Solar System

There are 5 main components that make up a perfect off the grid solar system. Here is what makes up an off grid solar system –

Solar Modules: In solar modules, photovoltaic conversion transforms solar energy into usable electricity (DC).

PV Inverter: To use in the house or to charge the battery bank, a solar inverter transforms the DC electricity generated, into AC.

Charger Inverter: This device converts AC power to DC so that it may be stored in batteries for later use. A battery bank is only able to store energy in DC.

Battery Bank: To store the power produced by the modules for later usage, lithium-ion batteries can be used. However, lead-acid batteries and nickel cadmium batteries are also used to achieve the same goal.

Backup Generator: Just on the off chance there is no stored energy in the battery bank, a diesel generator is used as a backup power source if needed.

How Does it All Work?

How do all these components come together and create the perfect off the grid house?

Firstly, the solar panels generate electricity through a photovoltaic reaction when sunlight hits the solar panels. The amount of electricity generated in ‘x’ amount of time will depend on the quality of the panels. Then the generated electricity travels to the solar inverter to convert into a usable form of energy. To explain that, in simple terms, the energy generated in the panels is DC (Direct Current) electricity and what we need is AC (Alternating Current) electricity.

After the conversion, the surplus amount of energy gets stored in the solar batteries. But there is a catch; you can only store DC in the battery bank. And this is where the charger inverter comes into play to do the conversion and also send signals across when to shut off the conversion and run it the other way.

With all that being said, there can be extremely cold days when the sun does not shine, and your solar panels can’t process to render a surplus for you to use later. In these rare occasions, you just might want to be safe with a backup generator that runs on diesel.

And that is about it, on how an off grid solar panel system works.

Some Well Performing Off Grid Solar Component

We suggest products to prospective clients by thoroughly investigating the property, and these products might not suit your needs or be more than what you need.

Please see below our top 4 solar systems-

Solar Panels

Hyundai Solar Panels- With about a 21.3% efficiency rate offered with 25 years of warranty, the Hyundai solar panels are spectacular. Also, their shingled cell solar panels allow more room for PV conversion on the same size of rooftop.