From calculators to electric cars, batteries are essential for our everyday activities.
The biggest battery available for public purchase is for your house and works in conjunction with your home photovoltaic system.
But how do solar batteries work?
Is it worth getting one?
And which one should you buy?
We explain everything here.
Before we get to the battery…
Let’s be clear about something that tends to confuse people – solar batteries are an addition to your home solar system.
They are not something you can simply buy and plug into your wall!
A home solar system is simply solar panels on your roof which allow you to generate your own electricity.
We’ve talked before about why you should install solar panels, but to sum up, they will save you a lot of money and help fight climate change.
So where does the battery come in?
When generating your own electricity through solar panels, the power must be used by the appliances in your home or it gets fed back into the grid.
The issue is, there is simply nowhere to store it.
That’s where a solar battery comes in.
By adding a solar battery to your home solar system, you can save the electricity you created, using it at a later time.
How do solar batteries work?
Solar batteries work the same way any other battery works, just on a bigger scale.
What is noticeable, is the type of electricity used.
Your home runs on AC (alternating current), but your panels create DC (direct current).
This means an inverter is needed to change the raw DC current into useable AC current.
But here’s the thing… batteries can only charge using DC current, so another inverter is needed to charge the solar battery.
These usually come built-in with the battery, so there’s no need to buy anything separately, although some batteries, like the LG Chem, do not have a built in converter. This makes them more efficient, since they don’t have to convert from DC to AC, but it does mean they need a special set up to take electricity directly from the solar panels while it’s in DC form.
With an AC battery, like the Sonnen solar battery, you can simply plug it straight into your solar system and it will start working because of its built-in inverter.
Is it worth buying solar batteries?
Yes, absolutely, and for two good reasons.
If you’ve already installed solar panels in your home, then you will no doubt have seen a significant reduction in your monthly energy bills.
By adding a solar battery to your system, you could see a further decrease of 75%, saving you thousands of dollars in the long-term.
Secondly, a solar battery helps you become more self-reliant when it comes to your energy needs.
Producing and storing your own electricity means you’re not at the behest of energy companies, who are not only raising their prices every year, but are notorious for their power cuts which are increasing with greater regularity.
Adding a solar battery to your home helps keep the lights on, the air-con pumping, and the oven hot; even if your neighbour’s sitting in the dark.
Types of solar batteries available through us
At Bright Earth Solar, we stock only the absolute best technology, including solar batteries.
Sonnen Battery
The Sonnen Battery is ready for connection as soon as you take it out of the box.
This means that inside of every Sonnen Battery you’ll find not only the extremely durable battery modules, but also an inverter, an intelligent energy manager, measurement technology, and the software to operate it all smoothly.
When used in combination with solar panels, the Sonnen Battery will enable you to use the electricity you created – making you independent from the grid and power company’s price increases.
Add to that a minimum lifespan of 10,000 charging-cycles, and the Sonnen Battery will last you for years to come, giving you a great return on your initial investment.
LG Chem Battery
LG Chem have been leading the way in solar battery technology, constantly innovating, improving, and adapting their designs for the average household.
The award-winning RESU battery can be used instead of electricity from the grid, or it can be kept as a backup in case of a power cut.
Founded in 1947, LG Chem has served as Korea’s representative chemical company, contributing to the development of the national economy and helping to turn South Korea into one of the world’s technological superpowers.
A great investment
A solar battery takes your solar system and your self-reliance to another level.
We all know the biggest problem with solar panels is the weather – what do you do when the sun’s not shining?
Well, a solar battery solves this issue by storing all the electricity you generate to be used when you need it the most.
Whether that’s at night, during cloudy weather, or in the middle of a power cut.
If you would like to be in charge of your own energy generation and storage, then contact us today.
We have been in the solar business for decades, installing solar PV systems for both residential and commercial properties. Our highly skilled engineers are fully accredited and licensed by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), so rest assured- you are working with experienced professionals. We can handle any job, no matter what size, and with years of experience we have the know-how, professionalism, and technical skills to ensure you get the perfect system for your unique needs.
We want to put your mind at rest giving you free, honest advice with no commitment to buy.
If you have any questions about buying solar panels or would like some advice about what you need, then please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Our professional engineers will be happy to have a chat about any issues you have or answer any questions regarding solar batteries.
Bright Earth Solar offers a range of exceptional solar products, helping you save money while doing your bit to save the planet. We keep you up to date with new technology, innovation and trends in renewable energy.