Batteries

Are Solar Batteries worth it? 

Battery storage technology has been getting a lot more exposure lately.

There is a lot of discussion around battery technology within the energy industry, and for good reason.

It is being heralded as the future of electricity. In Australia, we have the highest adoption of rooftop solar panels in the world. As a result, many battery producers are focusing Australia as a lucrative market.

Due to concerns over ever increasing electricity costs, many Australian families are looking at batteries as a renewable energy solutions.

As battery technology improves they are becoming a viable alternative to drawing power from the grid.

But are solar batteries really worth it?

There are many things to consider so there is no 'black and white' answer.

Here's a few things you will need to consider when deciding whether a battery storage system will suit you and your situation.

We will look at whether installing a solar power battery storage system could save you money.

If you are considering installing a solar battery for your home or business, here are some things you should know.

How do solar batteries work?

There is increasing evidence that solar panels are a great way to power your home with renewable energy, and save money in the process.

It is clean and sustainable, and allows you to use the sun to generate your own energy supply rather than drawing energy from the power grid.

Using less energy from the grid helps you save on your electricity bills by providing a cost-effective way to power your home.

When you think of solar power you instantly think of solar panels.

Solar panels, however, are just the start when creating a sustainable solar setup.

Install a battery to your solar power system.

As we indicated, solar panels are a great start, but they will only generate energy when the sun is shining.

That’s where a solar battery can help.

A solar battery will store unused energy from your solar panels and use in at on cloudy days or at night.

You are drawing less power from the grid and therefore you’re paying even less for your energy use. You will be using your own stored solar energy.

Some battery systems can interact with other solar home batteries in your neighbourhood. This creates a Virtual Local Power Plant and supports the grid when required, like on a hot day when lots of people turn on their air-conditioners at the same time.

How do solar panels and batteries work together?

Home solar systems are made up of a number of components.

Firstly, you need your solar panels. These solar panels feed energy into an inverter.

From the inverter the power travels through a switchboard where it is directed to the appliances in your home.

When the sun is not shining, your home draws power from the grid steps to keep your appliances running continuously. If you’re solar system is generating more energy than you need, that energy will transfer back into the grid. You will receive a solar feed-in tariff (FiT) from this power as a credit on your electricity bill.

If you have a battery solar system, the switchboard directs any excess solar energy you are generating to the battery. The battery stores this power for later use. When the sun goes down or you’re using more energy than your panels produce, your battery’s stored energy will power your appliances. If your battery is empty, the grid will help recharge it back to maximum capacity.

How much does a solar battery cost?

The current cost of the battery devices is the biggest factor impeding further growth in the solar storage market.

Storage size is the biggest factor influencing the cost of batteries for solar power storage. Prices for solar batteries are around $1,000 – $2,000 per kWh storage capacity.

As a guide, a solar panel battery system can cost from $2,000 to $12,000 depending on the size of your system.

Most homeowners choose systems with a 4kWh capacity, which will cost around $6,000 to $8,000.

You will also need a compatible inverter.

If you would like to discuss your needs or ask any questions, give us a call or fill out the enquiry form. We look forward to chatting with you.