For many homeowners interested in installing solar power or who’ve already embraced it, adding a battery may be the next step. Whether it’s to further lower energy bills and reduce reliance on the grid, participate in a local virtual power plant (VPP) program, or keep powering your home during unexpected power outages, batteries are becoming the “must have accessory” in solar. But understanding the differences in solar batteries is crucial to maximizing the value of your PV investment. With that in mind, here are some of the most common questions you should be asking about batteries for your home, including some bonus terms at the end to help you get acquainted!
SolarEdge’s battery for the home combined with the SolarEdge Home PV system and EV charger
There are many reasons to consider adding a battery to your home solar energy system:
AC or DC coupling refers to the way in which solar PV inverters are connected to the home’s electricity system. As solar panels produce DC energy, and batteries store DC energy, DC-coupled PV systems are more efficient for battery storage because the solar energy goes directly into the battery without needing to be converted through the inverter. In an AC-coupled solution, the energy is converted to AC through the inverter, then back to DC to store in the battery, then once again back to AC to be used in the home. With each of these conversions, some energy is lost. In a DC-coupled solution, the energy is converted only once, making the whole process much more energy efficient.
DC-coupled batteries therefore enable more energy to be stored and used. Also, energy that would otherwise be clipped can be sent directly to the battery, helping to ensure it‘s fully charged by the early evening.
Like the lithium-ion batteries installed in electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries used for home battery storage, such as the SolarEdge Home Battery should be properly commissioned and installed by a certified professional to ensure safety. Our battery solutions for homes are engineered with multiple layers of safety features to mitigate potential risks. And when everything comes from a single vendor, such as SolarEdge Home products and components, they are designed to work together seamlessly, safely, and efficiently. In addition, the SolarEdge Home Battery 400V was one of the first residential batteries to pass the strict ULA unit level test for fire safety hazards, allowing for indoor installations.
The SolarEdge Home Battery 400V, a lithium-ion battery, is ULA compliant, achieving a high certification standard for safety of energy storage systems and equipment.
The length of time a home can operate on battery backup is influenced by several factors. These include the number of batteries, the capacity of each, the power consumption of the home, and how efficiently the homeowner uses their stored energy. It's important to bear in mind that while batteries combined with backup interfaces are intended to provide electricity and keep appliances running during a grid outage, there may be limitations when it comes to powering high-energy electrical devices or large appliances for extended periods of time.
In order to understand how long a home can run on a battery or how many batteries a home needs, when homeowners are going to use their electrical loads and for how long they will be using them during an outage. Do they want to provide backup for the whole home, or just the essential loads? For this, it is important to understand the concepts of intermittent and continuous loads. Intermittent loads are electrical appliances that cycle on and off throughout the day, such as lights, stoves, fans, and HVAC systems. Continuous loads are devices that need to run continuously for the homeowner to live their daily lives. This can include Wi-Fi, refrigerators, computers - anything that needs to be running through an outage.
So, for a four- or five-person family in the U.S., having one SolarEdge Home 400V battery paired with the SolarEdge Home Backup Interface will allow them to use two or three intermittent loads and two or three continuous loads at one time for about a 10-hour period. However, it is still important to conserve energy throughout the home and be cautious when trying to run everything at once. For families who can conserve their power during an outage, one battery with backup may be enough. If they need more flexibility and more home backup capacity for extended outage protection, homeowners may want to consider installing extra batteries.
Yes! SolarEdge Home system owners with a battery can use the mySolarEdge app to configure their battery preferences according to their electricity needs. There are three options to choose from:
More sophisticated energy management software can leverage the home’s solar energy and battery storage to create a sophisticated daily energy plan. This is becoming especially important in areas with time-of-use rates (such as California) or dynamic rates, such as some parts in the Netherlands are now introducing.
Understanding the key terms associated with batteries for the home is essential to make an informed decision about which battery suits your needs. Here is a breakdown of some common home battery terms:
Solar power has made remarkable strides over the past decade, becoming one of the most affordable and widely deployed forms of renewable energy. Yet, as sunlight is intermittent, battery storage solutions combined with smart energy optimization systems hold the key to unlocking the full potential of solar by bridging the gap between the supply and demand. As we shift towards a low carbon future, more revenue streams, such as Virtual Power Plants, can benefit homeowners with battery systems. As clean energy continues to expand, solar and battery storage for the home will continue to play an important role in advancing technology and reducing our carbon footprint in an increasingly electrified world.
LiFePO4 battery is the best you can buy among any deep cycle batteries. However, there are countless options, even among LiFePO4 batteries. These batteries come in different voltages, ampere-hour ratings, features, and many other parameters. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a lifepo4 battery to buy the right one.
This article will provide all the information you need on the subject. You will know about all the factors that play a role in buying decisions. You will also learn about the best places to get these batteries.
LiFePO4 battery stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. They are named so because the cathode material is LiFePO4. The anode is made of graphite. LiFePO4 batteries are a considerable improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, their performance is leaps and bounds ahead of lead-acid batteries. These reasons have made LiFePO4 the most popular battery choice in recent years.
Different users will have different preferences when buying a LiFePO4 battery. Your decision should be based on factors like:
The capacity of a battery represents how many appliances it can power and for how long. It is measured in Watt hours (Wh). The capacity is the primary factor to consider and the main factor that drives up the LiFePO4 battery cost.
Users often get confused when they cannot see a Wh rating mentioned on the battery. Instead, they find voltage and Amp hours (Ah) ratings.
That is alright. You can find the Wh rating by multiplying voltage and amp hours.
Wh = V x Ah
For a 12V battery with a 320 Ah rating, the Wh will be:
Wh = 12 x 320 = Wh
To find out how much capacity you need, you can add the wattage of all the appliances you use. Then you can multiply it by the hours you want to run them without charging the battery. This will give you the minimum watt hours of the lithium-ion batteries you should buy.
For instance, if you want to run a total of 300W load for 10 hours, you require a minimum of:
Minimum Wh = 300 x 10 = Wh
Since the load or running time can increase or decrease, the required battery should have more capacity than the minimum Watt hours you require. Therefore, the Wh battery will be a good fit for the Wh minimum capacity.
Many users focus on ‘price’ as the deciding factor. However, a better factor to consider should be the value for money of the battery.
Lead acid batteries are the cheaper option in the market today. However, their lifespan is only one-tenth that of a LiFePO4 battery. While LiFePO4 batteries can last over 10 years, a lead acid battery will run out after a year or so. Additionally, there is always the risk of cheaper batteries running out while on the job.
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Therefore, opt for value for money instead of the price as the deciding factor. It can save you countless trouble in the long run. This brings us to our next important criterion.
It is essential to consider how many years a battery will last. You can save money and buy lead-acid batteries if you want a short fix for a few months. However, most users do not want that. Instead, they require a long-term solution.
A LiFePO4 battery is the best option in terms of battery life. A good quality LiFePO4 battery will easily last upward of 10 years. AGM and conventional lithium-ion batteries can work well for three to four years.
Cycle life means the number of charge and discharge cycle that your battery can undergo. A longer cycle life means a battery will last longer. Batteries do not come with a suggestive lifespan on the box. However, they do mention a cycle life. Choose an option with a longer cycle life for a better return on investment.
Warranty is a good indicator of the build quality of the battery and its lifespan. Lead acid batteries come with a 6-month warranty. Therefore, they are workable for up to a year until they demand replacement. LiFePO4 battery is a whole different game.
You will find different kinds of warranty periods with different LiFePO4 manufacturers. Eco Tree Lithium is the leader in the game as it provides a warranty of an astonishing 6-year. You can expect the Eco Tree Lithium batteries to easily work for over 10 years with a warranty like that.
Depth of Discharge (DoD) is a significant factor that makes people switch from existing lead acid batteries to lithium iron phosphate batteries. Depth of discharge denotes the usable capacity of the battery.
For instance, the depth of discharge for lead acid batteries is 50%. Therefore, you can use these batteries to 50% of their capacity. After that, they will require charging. However, for Eco Tree Lithium’s LiFePO4 battery, the DoD is a whopping 100%. You can use LiFePO4 through the full rated capacity.
Here is an example for putting things in perspective. Suppose your capacity requirement is 200 Ah. You can meet this requirement with a 200 Ah LiFePO4 battery. However, you will need a 400 Ah battery capacity if opting for a lead acid battery due to its half depth of discharge.
Every battery has a distinct maintenance requirement. Lead acid batteries have many requirements like electrolyte top-ups and venting the buildup gases. Fortunately, maintenance of LiFePO4 battery is much simpler and easy.
Battery dimensions are important for applications like motorhomes. The battery compartments can accommodate a particular size battery bank. LiFePO4 battery has prefixed size groups to denote the standard size of the battery. Match the lithium battery group with your requirement.
Weight is not always on the priority list of important parameters. However, some users find having a lighter battery preferable. If that is the case, any lithium battery is a better buy over a lead acid battery. For instance, a lead acid battery pack of 500 Ah can weigh around 850 kg. The same job can be done by a 250 Ah lithium-ion battery weighing 210 kg. This means a considerable difference in weight.
The main differences come from the eliminated weight of lead plates and electrolytes. Additionally, lithium iron phosphate batteries have lighter electrodes.
Safety becomes essential when you operate your battery near life and property. There have been instances where lead acid battery leak fluids that cause corrosion of the battery and nearby appliances. Conventional lithium batteries have fire and explosion hazards with them. However, lithium iron phosphate batteries are made using very stable compounds of iron and phosphate. These will never explode or cause fire injury.
The voltage of the battery pack is important because it determines its usability. For instance, you cannot replace a 24V battery with a 48V battery and vice versa. Every type of voltage rating has a distinct application, advantage, and disadvantage. If you are replacing your old batteries, you will need to find old voltage rating and match new batteries with the same rating for a constant voltage.
Common voltage ratings are:
All batteries are known for performance stuttering in extreme temperatures. Freezing conditions can lead to battering running flat. These batteries often do not recover once the temperature toll takes place. Therefore, find the optimal temperature range of the battery. Better yet, choose Eco Tree Lithium batteries with an inbuilt heater for cold weather.
Modern batteries come with many features that add to the convenient user experience. Take the case of this battery. It has a Bluetooth feature to check your battery stats remotely. You do not have to open the battery compartment. You don’t have to use a multimeter to check the voltage and current parameters. You can manage the battery remotely from a Bluetooth device.
Other secondary features can include LED indicators for the charging system. Having a handle to transport the battery is also a handy feature to have.
Always choose a LiFePO4 battery that comes with a BMS. A battery management system has a lot of safety protocols against potential hazards. All batteries are prone to irreversible overcharge and over-discharge damage. BMS protection measures cut off the circuit to eliminate any possibility of damage.
Modern energy technologies are pushing towards greener initiatives. It is recommended to choose an environmentally friendly battery option. For instance, cobalt-based batteries (like lithium cobalt oxide) are not environmentally friendly. This is because cobalt is rare and toxic in nature. LiFePO4 battery is one of the greenest battery out there.
Cobalt and lead come in toxic heavy metals category. These materials can cause health hazards if they come into human contact. Therefore, batteries that include these metals are considered unsafe. This includes all lead batteries. However, a lithium iron phosphate battery does not have any toxic substances in them.
Additionally, lead acid chemistry leads to the emission of toxic gases. You might be familiar with the pungent smell that often comes from lead batteries. Therefore, choose a battery that does not have any such risk. You will never need to vent lithium iron batteries because it releases no toxic gases.
Yes, you should always buy a LiFePO4 battery with a BMS. Lithium iron phosphate battery is a hefty investment. A BMS protects that investment from any harm. BMS will prolong the life of your battery significantly by monitoring every parameter.
Battery management systems come with surge protectors to avoid the harm of excessive currents. Additionally, many other circuits shield the battery from adverse situations. Many BMS also come with displays and relays that monitor data.
Eco Tree Lithium is the best place to buy a lithium iron phosphate battery. These batteries outperform most batteries on the market. They have features like BMS, Bluetooth, an in-built heater, and a 6-year warranty. Additionally, you get the brand name of the leading LiFePO4 battery supplier globally.
You can easily choose the best battery with the above information. You can also differentiate between LiFePO4 and other lithium-ion batteries. A good battery can be the driving point for a decade of worry-free operation. A lousy option can lead to hazards, breakdowns, and chasing the manufacturer for a replacement. Therefore, spend extra time choosing the battery to avoid wasting your time later.
Here are the answers to some common questions regarding LiFePO4 batteries:
No, all LiFePO4 batteries are not the same. The build quality of the batteries differs between manufacturers. These batteries also come in many different types, dimensions, capacity, voltage rating, and features.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Home Lithium Battery.