Solar Panel Battery: Everything You Need To Know

The Advantages of Installing a Solar Panel Battery

Annual Savings from Generating Your Own Power

It makes sense that if you are not completely reliant on your energy supplier to supply all of your power, you will be able to make a saving annually, especially if you are savvy with it. Having a solar panel battery will help greatly, as well as minimise energy waste. You do not have to own solar panels to be able to utilise the benefits of energy storage. The battery can be charged from your current supply through the day and then used at peak times. This means that you will avoid peak prices.

Greener Renewable Energy Source

We all want to make a positive contribution towards the net-zero goals. A lot of our energy still comes from burning fossil fuels, which damages our environment. Solar energy is a very effective form of renewable energy that is readily available, even when it is cloudy. The damage to our planet is minimised further by having a solar panel battery to store more of the energy that would otherwise be wasted.

Increase Your Property Value

Having an eco-friendly energy solution in your home will allow you to increase the asking price of your home when the time comes to sell. There are a few reasons for this, which you can read more about in The Value of Solar Property report by Solar Energy UK.

Off Grid Energy Self Reliance

Depending on the size of your home, you could become completely self-reliant by having good quality solar energy storage. This is achieved by having one or sometimes several solar panel batteries, whilst using the stored energy as efficiently as possible.

When to Install a Solar Panel Battery

The best time to install a solar panel battery is during the solar panel installation. This will avoid having to change components later on. Although, this does not have to be too much of a hurdle; simply speak to an experienced installer. They will be able to advise you on which solar panel battery will work with your current system, and which will not.

As we mentioned above, if you do not plan on getting solar panels for your home, you can still benefit from having a quality energy storage system at any time. Instead of charging the solar battery with energy sourced from sunlight, you can charge it with direct supply from the grid. This means you can use the energy storage during peak times, where you would otherwise pay a higher price.

As you can see from the graph below, a battery is useful for utilising the energy captured by your solar panels during the day. In the evenings and early mornings, when the sun isn't about, you can rely on the solar battery to provide power to your home. If you're at home during the day, you can make use of solar power as it's generated, instead of draining the battery.

Lead Acid or Lithium Solar Panel Battery: Which is Best?

There are a few differences between lead-acid and lithium solar panel batteries. Lithium solar panel batteries are the current market leaders for several reasons, even though lead acid solar batteries have been around for much longer.

A lithium solar panel battery will deliver the same amount of power throughout the discharge cycle; they generally have better life spans and have larger storage capacities. The Depth of Discharge tends to be a lot higher in lithium solar panel batteries, which means that you will have more useable capacity than you would with a lead acid solar panel battery.

Lithium batteries will charge faster than SLA (sealed lead-acid) batteries, which means that you will be able to utilise the power easier, especially if you are efficient with it; using the battery storage at night or during peak hours to reduce your cost, for example.

Whilst they come with excellent benefits, a lithium solar panel battery will cost you more for the privilege of those perks, compared to an SLA solar panel battery, which are a more affordable option for anybody with a tighter budget.

Pros and Cons of Lithium Energy Storage and Sealed Lead Acid Solar Energy Storage

*Depth of Discharge (DoD) is, in other words, the useable capacity of your solar panel battery before it needs to be charged. The DoD reduces over time, especially if you charge your battery incorrectly. Much like a mobile phone battery, leaving it to drain completely before charging it will reduce its lifespan. For example, if your solar panel battery has a DoD of 80%, it is recommended that you charge it before depleting the remaining 20% of battery life.

Solar Battery Cost

Lithium Solar Battery Cost

Although lithium solar batteries are usually more expensive, their initial cost can be weighed up against the savings you will make annually on your energy bill. You could potentially save even more money with the Smart Exchange Guarantee (SEG). This scheme allows you to sell excess energy generated by your solar panels.

Below are some of the best lithium solar panel batteries on the market, their cost, warranty and capacity.

Sealed Lead Acid Solar Battery Cost

Sealed Lead Acid solar batteries have been around for a very long time, giving you endless options to pick from. A significant number of consumers will typically spend £3,000 or less, but it will depend on your energy requirements. It is sensible to check the length of warranty offered when purchasing, to ensure you are covered for as long as possible.

Other Things to Consider Before Buying a Solar Panel Battery

Solar Panel Battery Installer

Before you allow an installer to get to work, make sure they are signed up to the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). This will protect you against any problems that could arise from having a solar panel battery installed. Signed members have agreed to abide to a code of standards, ensuring you receive a high-quality service.

Upgrade Your Energy Efficiency

If you are planning to install a solar power battery with the hope of saving money, it makes sense to consider making any necessary adjustments to become even more efficient. You might like to think about how effective your insulation is, whether you could switch to eco-friendly alternatives like smart home lighting and heating control, or perhaps something as simple as preventing draughts.

Speak to an Expert

Different types of solar panel batteries will come with different benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to get as much information as possible before you purchase. For example, if you are looking for a solar panel battery that will continue working through a power cut, you will need to make sure that your chosen system has this feature.

Is it Worth Getting a Solar Panel Battery?

In conclusion with the information provided in this article, it is worth getting a solar panel battery. The advantages of having solar energy storage are clear, with the only downside being the initial cost of installing it. However, you could be eligible for a Green Deal loan, which is offered by the government. As a loan, you will need to pay this back over time.

Conclusion

We have provided you with information about the various types of solar panel battery, their cost and their advantages and disadvantages. Having read this article, you should be a step closer to making an informed decision about purchasing a solar panel battery, and whether it would benefit your home. Now all you have to do is decide which model you go for and make sure you hire a reputable installer.

If you’ve decided to invest in a solar battery, the next step is making sure you get the right deal and that’s where we come in.

All you need to do is enter a few details and we’ll take care of the rest.