Solar batteries can take your solar panel system to the next level, boosting cost savings, efficiency, and self-sufficiency.
Many solar customers today opt for the additional cost of batteries from the very beginning. But is it worth it? And how much do solar batteries really cost? In this article, we’ll take a look at the main factors impacting the cost of solar batteries to help you make the decision.
What Are Solar Batteries?
Solar panels often produce more energy than you need during the daytime and sunny times of the year. At other times, however, like at night, in winter, or during cloudy spells, they produce less than you need, forcing you to rely on the energy grid and its associated utility bills.
How do you solve this conundrum? Enter solar batteries — which allow you to save the excess energy your panels generate during sunny periods and use it when sunshine is scarce. It’s a way of making hay (or rather, energy) while the sun shines so you can make the most of your solar panels.
Solar batteries can lead to great cost savings this way by reducing your dependence on expensive fossil fuel energy. But how much do they cost?
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How Much Do Solar Batteries Cost?
Solar batteries in Australia tend to cost between $1000 per kWh and $2000 kWh, and a 10kWh battery can power a typical home for around 10 hours. This cost depends on a number of factors, however, such as:
The Quality of Your Solar Batteries
Not all solar batteries are created equal. There is now a wide range of different manufacturers and brands, all producing different models with different features and specs. Higher-end batteries tend to be more durable, have a higher storage capacity, and are more reliable. However, they also come at a higher price point.
The Type of Solar Batteries You Use
In addition to different brands, there are also different types of solar batteries. The three most common types are lithium-ion batteries, AGM batteries, and GEL batteries. According to research by climatebiz.com:
- A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 100 Ah and 12 V costs $938.38
- An AGM battery with a capacity of 100 Ah and 12 V costs $371.74
- A GEL battery with a capacity of 100 Ah and 12 V costs $446.08
There are also variations within each battery type. For example, lithium-ion batteries can be made from nickel manganese cobalt (which has more power density) or lithium iron phosphate (which tends to last longer and is more expensive).
Your Storage Needs
If your home or business needs to store more energy, you’ll need to spend more on batteries. A smaller home might only need one or two batteries to provide you with enough backup power to keep everything running, whereas a larger property or a business will likely need more.
Additional Features
While solar batteries are perfectly capable of doing their job on their own, you may choose to invest in some additional tools and features to improve performance. For example, a sub-panel can ensure your battery power is diverted to the highest-priority appliances in your home during events like power outages. Upgrades like this will increase the cost of your batteries.
Start Using Solar Today
Solar batteries can be an extremely useful feature of your overall solar panel system, allowing you to save money, increase reliability, and reduce your dependence on the electrical grid. At SnapSolar we help our customers through every step of the solar panel installation process, including helping you decide if batteries are right for you and which ones to opt for.
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