Should you Buy a Battery & how do you Choose the Right One?

Why should you buy a battery?

If you have, or intend to get, a well-designed PV system you’ll notice that on some days your system exports large amounts of energy back to the grid. This is because your system’s generating more energy than your home is using at that particular time. For instance, if you’re out of the house on a sunny day, your home probably won’t be using all of the energy your system generates and so energy will be exported straight back to the grid.

At other times in the evenings you’ll be buying energy back from the grid because your system isn’t generating at that time. So, sometimes you’re producing more energy than you’re using and at other times you’re not producing enough – there’s a mismatch in supply and demand!

This is the problem that a battery helps to solve. It can store the solar energy that’s generated but not used at the time, so you can use it later on when your system isn’t generating.

So, for most PV system owners, the simple answer to “should you buy a battery?” is “yes you should!”

There are a few vital matters to consider before buying a battery and we have noted these below.

8 key matters you should consider when choosing a battery

1. Usable Capacity

This refers to the amount of energy the battery can store, which can then actually be re-used in your home.

Be aware that the advertised “total capacity” of a battery may not be the same as the “useable capacity”. It’s important to be aware of a battery’s usable capacity as a lot of batteries are mis-sold by advertising total capacity, without making clear that the usable capacity is different.

For instance, the new Tesla Powerwall 2 has a 14kWh total capacity, however it is actually sold as 13.5kWh as this is its usable capacity.

2. Power Output

This figure is hidden by some companies selling the cheaper battery systems, but it’s probably the most important thing to look out for when choosing a battery!

What is it? It’s basically the amount of energy you can actually take (draw) from the battery at any one point.

Regardless of the capacity of your battery, if the output is too small you may not be able to power more than one appliance at any given time, even if the battery is full of power. For instance, some battery systems will have a maximum power output of 900 watts, which is rather pointless if you want to boil a kettle or do anything other than watching a bit of TV with some lighting on!

If your battery has a low power output you will still be buying energy from the grid if you turn anything significant on in the house.

Our general advice would be to make sure the power output is always above 3.6kW. The LG and Tesla Range of batteries have a very good power output rating.

3. Life Span

This can be quite hard to understand as some battery units offer cycle warranty and others offer years warranty.

A cycle is when a battery goes through a complete discharge and then one full recharge.

Basically, any warranty for around 5000 cycles or 10 years is fairly decent.

4. What chemistry is the battery?

The main ones you will come across are either lead acid or lithium ion. Our advice is to stick with the lithium ion! Quite simply, it lasts longer and will deliver a lot more power over its lifetime.

5. What’s the cost?

In terms of the cost-benefit for you, it’s sensible to consider the following:

1. How long do you intend to stay at your home? Are you likely to stay long enough to reap the benefits of the battery you choose?
2. How much are your bills after the solar covers some of the demand? Therefore, what potential further savings might be available for you on your energy bills?
3. What future financial benefits and income might the battery offer you? Please see more on this at 7 & 8 below
4. What are the costs involved for the battery you are considering? How does this compare with the answers to questions 1, 2 and 3 above?

These simple questions will help determine which battery offering is of best value to you, which ones are worth considering and which ones aren’t.

Generally you tend to get what you pay for and actually the more expensive battery options are often more flexible to install so usually offer better all-round value. Remember this is always going to be a long term investment.

6. Power cuts!

Will your battery kick in when there’s a power cut and the lights go out? Most battery options have the facility to take over when the power from the grid drops out, but this may come as an optional extra.

Make sure you check if this is important to you.

7. Grid charging – buying in cheaper electricity

It sounds strange but you are going to want to do this in the future! Basically, as well as charging from your solar PV system, some batteries will in future be able to buy in energy when it’s cheaper (e.g. overnight). You can then use this energy later when you need it rather than buying it from the grid at a time when its more expensive.

Not all batteries will be capable of doing this and this is where a larger battery with the software to enable grid charging can offer a huge advantage in the winter months.

8. Grid services – get paid for having a battery!

You’ll probably have heard about the strain the grid is under at certain times when demand for energy suddenly increases, for example at half time in a football match when everyone gets up to put the kettle on.

In future, it is likely that the grid will pay domestic battery owners a sum to have access to some of their battery that the grid can call on when demand is high, to help supply peaks in demand at short notice.

Unless your battery is set up to be able to do this and has sufficient capacity you will miss out on this potential income stream.

Is now the right time to get a battery?  

We’re often asked this question. The battery market has improved quite significantly over the last few years. Prices have come down a little as better products have emerged on to the market.

Currently, there are some fantastic options available and there are many people already taking advantage of these.

In our opinion if it’s affordable then the time is right. But, go for the best you can afford as it’s a long term investment. Energy prices are starting to increase fairly rapidly now so those that can may as well start saving now!

Why buy energy in if you are producing enough on your roof not to?

So, you want a battery, who should you get to install it?

Our advice would always be to go to a reputable, accredited installer and ask for evidence of other battery systems they have installed.

If they’re any good they should have some happy customers that you can speak to. If not, get back on the internet!

Take your time making the right decision and grill your installer to check that they are offering you the best solution and not just what they stock!

This blog was provided by Sungift Solar