What Is a Solar Battery System?

To better explain what a solar battery system is, let’s start with explaining how a solar power system works.

The short version is that your solar panels turn the light of the sun (the solar part of solar power) into direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity is run through a power inverter to turn it into alternating current (AC) electricity that is used by the power company and your appliances. You use the AC power to run your appliances, and any excess is sold to the power company.

The problem is that solar power only works during the day when the sun is out, and it has to be used when it is generated. When it’s nighttime, you still need power and most solar power systems will draw on the power company’s grid during this time. For times when you can’t draw off the grid, you need some way of storing that power and that’s what a solar battery system is.

Consider these common questions below before purchasing a solar battery system:

How Many Things Are You Going To Power, And For How Long?

This is your biggest question and it answers many of the questions you will be asking later.

The more things you want your solar batteries to power when the solar panels cannot provide power, and how long you want them to be powered, the larger the battery system you will need. Most battery systems are rated to amp-hours, which is how many hours they can provide power (the amps) to the system at a time.

How Long Do You Want The Batteries To Last?

Most solar battery systems are rated for about a five to fifteen-year lifespan, which is usually twice as long as the solar panels themselves. This is not a bad thing, as battery technology is steadily improving with the needs of things such as cell phones and electric vehicles requiring more powerful and higher endurance battery systems.

Where Are You Going To Put It?

Many solar battery systems require you to mount it externally, usually near the main power box or somewhere close. One of the parts of any assessment of your solar battery system needs is where you will have it.

How Much Are You Willing To Spend?

Solar battery systems are not cheap, especially for systems big enough to power a business or whole house for long periods of time. If your plan is to have an off-the-grid system, the costs will go even higher as you will need enough solar panels to both provide power for your house and charge the batteries at the same time.

If you decide that you want a solar battery system, Westcoast Solar Energy can help you decide and install the system you want. From a battery backup system for your critical commercial needs to an off-grid system for a home, we can help you find the right solar battery system.