Solar batteries are a smart investment for residential energy storage and DIY solar projects. People who want to go off the grid can use solar batteries to store excess energy that can be used at night or on cloudy days. A few solar batteries come in handy if you live in an area with unreliable utilities. You can also use solar power battery storage to run RVs, boats, golf carts and more.
As you compare solar batteries, keep in mind that capacity tells you what the battery can store and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Power shows a battery’s output capability and is measured in kilowatts (kW). Look for a solar battery with a depth of discharge at least 40% or higher and round-trip efficiency around 80%.
- Capacity: Capacity tells you what the battery can store and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The average American household uses about 30 kWh each day, and a typical solar battery has a capacity of around 10kWh.
- Depth of discharge: The depth of discharge shows how much of your battery capacity can be used before potentially shortening its life span. The higher the DoD, the more usage you’ll get from the battery’s capacity.
- Power: Power shows a battery’s output capability. The amount of power a battery can deliver at once is displayed in kilowatts (kW).
- Round-trip efficiency: Round-trip efficiency is the difference between the amount of energy used to charge it and the available amount of energy. Like the depth of discharge, a higher round-trip efficiency percentage is a better value.
The last thing to consider is the battery’s warranty and guarantee. Since battery performance declines over time, a warranty that guarantees a number of cycles or years of good performance is essential. It should also guarantee the battery maintains a specific capacity.
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