With the current changes in society, using solar system batteries has become the new norm. Between falling prices of solar battery technology and the need for more electricity, adding solar panels with battery storage is now the more accepted trend in Australia.
How much solar battery backup you will need for your residential house is dependent on various factors such as the capacity of batteries, your electricity consumption and many more.
Let us discuss in this blog how many batteries you would require for your home.
Basic fundamentals about solar system batteries
If you are considering installing solar battery charger in your home, you should know some basics about them such as types of batteries available, their capacities, and depth of discharge.
Let us begin first with the types of solar system batteries available in the market.
- Lead-acid batteries: They were the first type of home battery backup available in the market. However, they often require maintenance, have a short lifespan, but are cost-effective.
- Lithium-ion batteries: These types of batteries are often lightweight, compact, have a longer lifespan, and a higher depth of discharge.
Now let us understand what exactly do we mean by the term – depth of discharge and battery capacity.
The amount of energy a solar battery can store is denoted by its storage capacity and is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
A battery’s depth of discharge (DoD) simply indicates how much of its stored energy has been used. Think of it like the gas gauge in your car, but for a battery. Generally, a higher DoD means you’ve used a larger portion of the battery’s total capacity. It’s important to remember though, that using more of the battery’s capacity at once (higher DoD) can affect how long the battery lasts overall.
When choosing a solar battery backup, choose one with an optimal DoD and high storage capacity so that it is able to meet your energy needs. Get in touch with Goal Solar, one of the best solar suppliers australia to know more in depth.
Calculate the energy requirement of your home
In order to understand the number of batteries required for your home, first access your exact power consumption. In other words, it is essential to understand your energy usage in kilowatt hours to determine the number and size of batteries required for installation.
However, if you are confused as to how you are going to make this calculation, let us simplify it .
Examine the appliances you use in your home in more detail to better understand how much energy they require. Make a list of everything that requires batteries or plugs in first, including phone chargers and refrigerators. Next, ascertain the item’s wattage rating. Usually, the appliance will have a sticker with this information printed on it or it will be mentioned in the user manual. The wattage indicates the amount of power that the appliance consumes when it is operating.
Calculate how many hours a day each appliance is used after that. For instance, if you use your toaster for two pieces of bread every morning for two minutes each, you will have used it for around four minutes. Multiply the power and usage time together after you get them. You will then be able to see the daily energy use in watt-hours for each appliance.
The problem is that kWh, or kilowatt-hours, are typically used on power bills to indicate usage. Simply divide the watt-hour value by 1,000 to convert it to kilowatt-hours. Lastly, total the kilowatt-hours of energy used each day by all of your appliances. The projected daily energy use of your home will be represented by this total.
There are multiple methods to simplify these computations. Information regarding your previous usage can be found on the websites of several electrical companies. Online resources are also available to help you calculate how much electricity you consume depending on the number and kind of appliances you own.
Sizing the right solar system batteries
Selecting the appropriate solar system batteries size for your solar panels is crucial. This will guarantee optimal performance from your entire solar setup. To accomplish this, determine your energy use and select a battery that will hold enough energy from your solar panels to suit your needs.
- Determine how much electricity you consume on average each month before you do anything else. This information is available on your electricity bill.
- Next, take into account the amount of sunlight and solar energy generated in your area each month. It is mostly dependent on your residential place. For the purposes of this example, let’s assume that solar power generation averages 115 kWh (kilowatt-hours) every month.
- Lastly, divide the entire amount of electricity you require (measured in kilowatts) by the solar panel’s wattage. Wattages of solar panels can differ, but in 2023 330 watts was a typical size. This can help you determine an approximate number of panels that you could require.
To sum up
Making the most of your solar panels and making intelligent use of the energy they capture are the two key components of increasing the efficiency of your renewable energy system.
First of all, take into account lithium-ion batteries because they are more effective than other options at storing solar electricity. Secondly, an intelligent energy management system is a useful tool. The best times to store extra solar energy or consume it straight from the panels are determined by this system through an analysis of real-time data and your usage patterns.
Efficiency also depends on cutting down on lost energy, which goes beyond the solar system. Purchasing LED lighting and equipment with energy star ratings will drastically reduce your overall energy use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many solar system batteries do I need for a 10kW solar panel system?
Although a 10kW solar system produces a lot of electricity, you may want to store some of that energy for later use. It is up to you what size battery is best for you. A larger battery, about 20kWh, is required if you wish to remain totally off the grid, even on cloudy days. However, if your primary objective is to prevent peak electricity rates or have backup power during outages, a smaller battery, about 10kWh, would be adequate.
How many solar system batteries would I need if my house has a 3kW solar panel system?
In general, a 3-kilowatt (kW) solar system needs a smaller battery bank than larger systems. The reason for this is that it generates less power. However, you’ll require a larger battery storage capacity if your daily energy use is 30 kWh or higher on average. In this case, even a simple configuration might need two or three batteries to supply backup power in the evenings and during unplanned outages.
How do I ensure that my house has power all night?
To ensure your battery bank lasts through the night, it should hold enough energy to power your typical evening usage. This amount can vary, but typically falls between 10-20 kWh, so be sure to assess your evening energy needs.
