#SOLAR SYSTEMS WITH BATTERY BACKUP INSTALL#
#SOLAR SYSTEMS WITH BATTERY BACKUP FULL#

Roundtrip efficiency: The roundtrip efficiency measures electrical losses involved with charging and discharging a battery. Many battery manufacturers specify a maximum DoD level for optimal battery performance, and generally, batteries with higher percentages are considered better-quality products. It measures how much of the battery's capacity you can use. High continuous power ratings are important to run multiple power-hungry appliances simultaneously.ĭepth of discharge: Depth of discharge (DoD) indicates the percentage of the battery's capacity that can discharge relative to its overall capacity. High peak power ratings are important if you need to start energy-intensive appliances with your battery, like a sump pump.Ĭontinuous power rating: A battery's continuous power rating, also measured in kW, determines the maximum amount of electricity it can output consistently. Peak power rating: Measured in kilowatts (kW), a battery's peak power rating is the amount of power it can output quickly as it reacts to turn on appliances.

#SOLAR SYSTEMS WITH BATTERY BACKUP FULL#

Usable capacity: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), usable capacity measures the maximum amount of electricity stored in your battery on a full charge. Power: Measured in kilowatts (kW), determines the maximum amount of electricity that can be output at a single time. Here are key factors that impact your battery's power and performance: You'll want to compare the power and performance of different batteries before deciding. Some offer batteries with various capacities, and many enable you to connect multiple batteries to one inverter to provide optimal storage capacity.

#SOLAR SYSTEMS WITH BATTERY BACKUP INSTALL#

If you plan to install a new solar-plus-storage system, a DC-coupled storage system may be a better option because it will provide a higher overall efficiency.Ĭonfiguration flexibility: Many battery manufacturers offer different configurations for your storage system so you can size it according to your needs. AC-coupled storage systems have traditionally been most common for residential solar systems because they're easy to install, especially if you already have solar panels and are retrofitting your storage system. If your storage system has an integrated hybrid inverter, it can cover both the production from your solar panels and the requirements of your storage system, providing efficient integration for solar-plus-storage systems.Ĭoupling: Batteries can be either AC- or DC-coupled. Storage systems with an integrated storage inverter convert the usable alternating current (AC) energy from your home to storable direct current (DC) energy and back again. If your battery doesn't have an integrated inverter, you'll need to buy an external, third-party inverter, which often has a separate warranty. Integrated inverter: Batteries can come with or without an integrated inverter. NMC batteries are perhaps the oldest solar batteries, but LFP batteries are gaining traction because they tend to have higher power ratings and longer lifespans. Here are some of the factors to consider:Ĭhemistry: Lithium-ion batteries come in various chemistries, but the top batteries on our list are either Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). Understanding the different chemistries and configurations available for solar batteries can be difficult.

These aren't the only factors to consider when shopping for a battery, but they're a great place to start and can help you understand the costs and benefits of each option.

There's a lot to consider when choosing a solar battery, including chemistry & configuration, power & performance, warranty, size, and price.

Solar systems with battery backup