Before deciding whether you want to install a battery now or in the future, ask yourself: Why do I want a battery? Do I need one?
A battery is a big purchase – one that typically adds more than $10,000 to your overall cost to go solar. And in some areas of the country, you may not see a financial return on that upfront investment.
A solar battery can help you save money if your utility has demand charges, time-of-use rates, or doesn't offer net metering. By storing solar electricity onsite in a battery, you can avoid pulling expensive electricity from the grid when your solar panel system isn't generating enough power to meet your needs (like at night).
Resiliency is another good reason to add a battery to your solar panel system. If you experience frequent power outages and want to keep your lights on when the grid goes dark, a battery can help you do just that. Installing a solar battery for home backup may not save you money in the long run, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it: After all, you can't put a price on peace of mind, right?
If none of these reasons jump out at you as compelling enough to add a battery, that's okay! It probably means you shouldn't install one right now. But if you know you want a battery, just need an answer on timing, read on.
The four main types of batteries used in the world of solar power are lead-acid, lithium ion, nickel cadmium and flow batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have been in use for decades and are one of the most common types of battery used in automotive and industrial applications. They have a low energy density (meaning they cannot hold much energy per kg of weight), but remain both cost-effective and reliable and thus have become a common choice for use in a home solar setup.
Lead-acid batteries come in both flooded and sealed varieties and can be classified as either shallow cycle or deep cycle depending on the intended function and safe depth of discharge (DOD). Recent technological advancements have improved the lifespan of these batteries and lead-acid continues to be a viable option for many homeowners.
The technology behind lithium-ion batteries is much newer than that of other battery types. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and offer a smaller, lighter and more efficient option. They allow the user to access more of the energy stored within the battery before needing to be recharged, making them great for use in laptops and phones—and in your home.
The major drawback of lithium-ion batteries is the significantly higher cost to the consumer. If improperly installed lithium-ion batteries also have the potential to catch fire due to an effect called thermal runaway.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are rarely used in residential settings and are most popular in airline and industrial applications due to their high durability and unique ability to function at extreme temperatures. Nickel-cadmium batteries also require relatively low amounts of maintenance when compared to other battery types.
Unfortunately, cadmium is a highly toxic element that, if not disposed of properly, can have a significant negative impact on our environment.
Flow batteries depend on chemical reactions. Energy is reproduced by liquid-containing electrolytes flowing between two chambers within the battery. Though flow batteries offer high efficiency, with a depth of discharge of 100%, they have a low energy density, meaning the tanks containing the electrolyte liquid must be quite large in order to store a significant amount of energy. This size makes them a costly and impractical option for most household use. Flow batteries are much better suited to larger spaces and applications.
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