Welcome to part five of our Home Battery Series, where we've already investigated topics like how long a battery will power your home during an outage, which appliances it will power, how it interacts with the grid and more.
As the use of solar power is becoming more and more common around the country, more users are realizing the immense value of utilizing a solar battery for power storage as part of their system. This often creates a need to find solar batteries that will integrate with your setup, an important task when it arises.
At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're proud to serve as one of the top solar companies in all of Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho areas, offering a wide range of solar power services that includes home battery installation and several other battery-related services. Here are some basics on why it's important to find the right battery for your system, plus some of the situations that commonly arise when it comes to integrating a battery into an existing solar panel setup.
Why the Right Battery Matters
There are a few key reasons why finding the right battery for your solar panel system is crucial:
- Costs: First and foremost, you want a battery that fits within your budget. Solar batteries can vary widely in cost depending on factors like size, technology, brand and several others.
- Efficiency: You also want a battery that will provide the necessary level of efficiency for your home's specific needs. This generally relates to how much power it can store and how quickly it charges.
- Compatibility: Different solar batteries are compatible with different types of solar panels and setups. Some may not work at all with certain systems, while others may only have limited compatibility.
Situations When Battery Integration Arises
There are a few different situations that may be in place when you're looking to integrate a battery into an existing solar panel setup. Here are some basics on each:
- Storage-ready system: The simplest and most ideal setup is a system that was designed from the start to include a battery. In this case, all you need is a compatible battery and installation services. There are a few different reasons why you may have waited on actually adding the battery during installation, from battery cost to a desire to keep your up-front costs low. In any case, designing the system with a future battery in mind makes its installation quite easy.
- DC coupled system: With a DC coupled system, your inverter will typically not be compatible with a battery, so you'll need to make a change here. You'll be adding what's known as a hybrid inverter, which charges based on the DC power produced by your panels but then converts it to AC power for use in your home.
- AC coupled system: In the case of an AC coupled setup, you'll need a second inverter (known as the charger) to charge the batteries with excess solar electricity. These are used when homeowners want to add a battery after already having a solar panel system installed.
Other Key Factors at Play
In addition to the type of battery installation you'll be utilizing, there are a few other factors that may influence this installation:
- System size and capacity: Depending on the size and capacity of your solar system, you may need to add a certain type or size of battery. Larger systems will often require larger batteries with higher storage capacities.
- Usage patterns: If you're someone who uses a significant amount of energy during peak hours, for instance, this may influence which battery technology is best for your needs.
- Battery need: Do you need a battery for occasional backup power during outages, or do you want one that can provide primary power on an ongoing basis? This will also determine the type and size of battery you require.
At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're here to help with all your home battery integration needs. Our professionals will assist you in finding the perfect battery to meet your needs, plus handle installation and any other relevant services. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about any of our solar panel or battery-related services around SLC, Utah and Boise, Idaho areas.
