A solar battery installation greatly reduces your reliance on utilities. A solar storage solution provides the ultimate benefits to people who dwell in areas experiencing frequent electricity outages, remote areas with no grid connection, areas that do not allow net metering, and areas with battery rebates and incentives. With all the advantages that solar batteries offer, people are increasingly desirous of installing some but delay due to their current high pricing. What is it though that makes solar batteries expensive? Read on to find out.
What influences solar battery pricing?
The make
Much like everything else, the brand of solar battery you select determines its cost. Different battery manufacturers use different production processes that may involve different production costs.
The Sonnen solar batteries from Germany are a deluxe range of batteries. Some Sonnen solar batteries cost more than $30,000, while a Tesla Powerwall solar battery is priced at $11,500.
The number of batteries you want
Another factor that influences the cost of your solar storage battery system is the number of batteries you want to install. For more batteries, the cost will obviously be higher.
The number of batteries you want depends on:
- a) your power consumption
- b) the electronic equipment on your property
- c) the hours you want to energize your appliances for
- d) battery storage capacity
In the event of a power cut, one to two solar batteries will have enough backup power storage to supply the energy needs of most households.
Battery Chemistry
Lead-acid batteries were very common until lithium-ion batteries were introduced. Their storage capacity is lower, life is shorter, and they need routine maintenance, but some people still choose them over lithium-ion batteries as they are cheaper in price.
Of all other battery types available on the market, lithium-ion batteries are most commonly installed with residential solar panel systems. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) are two chief lithium-ion chemistries used for solar storage batteries. LFP batteries are newer and are slightly costlier than NMC batteries which have been around for a while.
Cost of installation
One of the factors that impact the cost of a solar battery is the amount of labor involved in the battery installation.
If the solar battery is being installed at the same time as your residential solar panels, the labor costs will be lower.
Labor costs will be higher if you are adding a storage battery system to existing residential solar panels as it may require extra electrical work, filing for permits, and solar battery incentive forms.
Solar battery incentives
The cost of installing a solar battery will be greatly impacted by the kind of solar rebates and incentives available in your area. Handsome rebates on battery installation can considerably help lower upfront battery costs.
Critical load panel
If the backup batteries have to power all of your appliances, you will need to install multiple batteries. Therefore, for your batteries to provide backup only for the most important things, like the lights and the refrigerator, during a power outage or if you live off-grid, you need to install an additional sub-panel (also called the backup load or critical load panel) which will add about one to two thousand bucks to the installation costs.
Conclusion
Adding solar batteries to residential solar panels is becoming more common for households that often experience power outages as it provides mental peace for homeowners in such a situation. Tesla Powerwall solar batteries are a popular choice of excellent quality backup storage in the medium price range.
However, going for a storage battery might not be the right choice for all. Investing in a battery is not for you if your area allows full-retail net metering and/or offers incentives on solar battery installation.
Get in touch with Solar Power Nation for excellent deals on high-quality solar equipment in the premium and budget segments.
