Solar Batteries 

How Batteries Work:

Solar batteries are composed of a hundred different components. Their primary function is to store energy that is generated from solar panels. Instead of sending electricity back into the grid, they step in and absorb the energy. The batteries act as your primary energy source; when nightfall arrives, your house will draw power from the batteries, not the grid. Once the batteries get depleted, the panels charge them back up.

 
 
  

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Solar Batteries 

How Batteries Work:

Solar batteries are composed of a hundred different components. Their primary function is to store energy that is generated from solar panels. Instead of sending electricity back into the grid, they step in and absorb the energy. The batteries act as your primary energy source; when nightfall arrives, your house will draw power from the batteries, not the grid. Once the batteries get depleted, the panels charge them back up.

 
 
 
 
 
  

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The Major Solar Battery Components:

solar battery with lighting bolt and two orange bars

 

Component One

Capacity & Power

 

A solar battery is no different from a rechargeable battery in a TV remote. They each have a specific amount of capacity and power. The capacity is the amount of electricity a battery can hold, and the power rating is the amount of electricity it can produce at any given moment. 

solar battery with lighting bolt and one orange bar and one black bar

 

Component Two

Depth Of Discharge (DoD)

 

Like all batteries, each one has a maximum capacity of 100%. However, solar batteries must retain a specific depth of discharge, which is the amount of space reserved out of the 100% for chemical composition. The optimal DoD for a solar battery rate is 90%.

solar battery with lighting bolt and one black bar on top of an orange bar with arrows

 

Component Three

Round Trip Efficiency

 

A solar battery's round trip efficiency equates to the amount of energy that it can produce to the amount of energy it took to store it. For example, if you fed a battery 10kWh of energy and produced 9kWh, the efficiency rate would be 90%. The higher the percentage, the better. 

solar battery with lighting bolt and two orange bars

 

Component One

Capacity & Power

 

A solar battery is no different from a rechargeable battery in a TV remote. They each have a specific amount of capacity and power. The capacity is the amount of electricity a battery can hold, and the power rating is the amount of electricity it can produce at any given moment. 

solar battery with lighting bolt and one orange bar and one black bar

 

Component Two

Depth Of Discharge (DoD)

 

Like all batteries, each one has a maximum capacity of 100%. However, solar batteries must retain a specific depth of discharge, which is the amount of space reserved out of the 100% for chemical composition. The optimal DoD for a solar battery rate is 90%.

solar battery with lighting bolt and one black bar on top of an orange bar with arrows

 

Component Three

Round Trip Efficiency

 

A solar battery's round trip efficiency equates to the amount of energy that it can produce to the amount of energy it took to store it. For example, if you fed a battery 10kWh of energy and produced 9kWh, the efficiency rate would be 90%. The higher the percentage, the better. 

 

What Is Lithium-ion Technology?

Lithium-ion offers the largest energy per volume and weight, making it ideal for solar battery composition. Its particular energy compliments its high load capabilities, allowing the power cells to last longer without maintenance. The light metal has a simple charge algorithm that permits reasonably fast charging times.  

Most reputable solar battery manufacturers like Tesla, LG, & Generac use Lithium-ion battery technology inside their products, but there are other options out there on the market. Similar manufacturers take advantage of lead-acid technology and saltwater. Lead-acid batteries are known for their shorter life spans and lower DoD's, so if you're looking for the most cost-effective solar battery, lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for your solar panel system. 

 

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What Is The Lifespan Of A Battery?

In terms of lifespan, each battery is warrantied for a specific number of years. Like how solar panel cells degrade over time, Lithium-ion cells age and gradually decrease the amount of energy, they can hold.

The longevity of solar batteries can last between 5 to 15 years. PE Solar has partnered up with Generac and Tesla to offer the most innovative solar batteries on the market. Like our pure power guarantee, we'll help you get them fixed without any fuss if anything ever breaks. If you want to learn more about batteries, contact us today!

 

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What Is AC vs. DC Current?

One of the biggest questions asked about solar batteries is, "Which type of battery should I get?" There are two different solar batteries, alternative current (AC) and direct current batteries (DC). They both serve the same purpose, to store energy, but the way they couple with solar systems is very different. The key difference is the path the electricity takes once solar panels generate it.

All batteries store (DC) energy. (AC) coupled battery systems must convert the panels' energy through an inverter to store it. Once converted, the energy is converted again. These additional steps amount to a small loss of energy. (AC) batteries are far less complex but tend to be more expensive. They can only be installed at any time during a PV system life. On the contrary, (DC) batteries can only be installed at the time of install. They are more efficient but require more time to hook up than (AC) batteries.

 

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three rows of solar panels on a clay tile roof

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Why Get Solar Batteries?

Solar batteries maximize your solar savings & supply you with energy if your system ever underproduces. Plus, they give you the security of having electricity during a power outage. 

 

Learn the benefits of solar batteries

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Solar Batteries Are Quick and Easy To Get Installed

Most solar battery systems get installed in as little as a day. In case you're wondering, here are the steps:

Curious About Batteries?

Getting solar batteries doesn't have to be complicated. Our team is available 24/7 to answer any questions.

 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

(About Solar Batteries)

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Solar batteries allow people with solar panels to store their excess energy generated from their system. If there were ever a blackout, the battery would act as your home generator. Solar batteries also lower your electricity bill because they reduce the electricity you draw from the grid. The downside to solar batteries is the cost and complexity of engineering. If the battery were to stop working, it would be expensive to fix if not covered under warranty.

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Generally, the range of a solar battery's useful lifespan is between 5 and 15 years. If you buy and set up a solar battery today, it will need to be replaced at least once to match your PV system's 25-30 years lifespan.

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The number of solar batteries required to power your home depends on the amount of electricity you consume. Some houses use one, while others require two or three.

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In terms of solar batteries, we prefer and recommend Tesla (Powerwall) and Generac. Their durability triumphs other brands, and they are the most cost-effective battery in the long term. Most users also like the Tesla brand because of its ability to store energy without a solar system requirement. Homeowners are still able to take advantage of the financial benefits of owning a battery.

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YES! Solar batteries can be repaired if there is a failure or they stop working. This can be done in many ways, but we only advise you to consult a professional if your solar battery is faulty.