With few exceptions, a grid-interactive solar energy system can’t provide power to your home without battery backup. Batteries allow stored solar power to be used at night and during cloudy weather. They also buffer times when your usage is greater than your solar production.
Battery backup can technically be installed with or without solar panels, but it is much more practical with solar panels. There are many types of battery backup solutions available, each tailored to your specific home and needs. Backup systems can cover your whole home or just critical loads that you need during an outage.
The Enphase Battery 5P Is A Powerful Backup Option That We Recommend
Battery Backup System Components
When we talk about batteries in the modern solar industry, we are really talking about a variety of battery types and components. There are traditional “dumb” batteries that need an inverter to convert DC to AC power. There are also “smart” batteries that have integrated inverters. All systems need a transfer switch of some kind. Charge controllers may be needed. It all depends on the system type.
There are schools of thought on whether older DC-coupled technology or newer AC-coupled technology is better. Both have come a long way. Each has its own merits and its own place where it shines. The type of system you should purchase depends on many factors. If you have an existing PV system or modest backup needs, you may be better off with an AC-coupled system. If you need a very large system and you’re starting from scratch, a DC-coupled system may be better.
The battery chemistry itself has evolved dramatically recently. Lithium Ion batteries, the type used in laptops, phones, and electric vehicles are gaining popularity. Older lead-acid batteries, like the type used in vehicles, are tried and true, and offer lower pricing for the same storage, but are much larger, heavier, and messier. Most modern system are switching to Lithium Ion of some sort. While these are more expensive initially, they offer much longer lifespans.
Should I Buy Battery Backup
Battery backup for solar panels is not for everyone. A strictly grid-interactive solar energy system is the most economical way to participate in the solar energy revolution. There is a distinct and attractive return on investment and environmental benefit.
Battery backup has become wildly popular recently, fueled by increasing hurricane activity and utility outages that come with them.
Battery backup owners will be rewarded with stable, quiet, and endless power as long as the systems are used within their design parameters. This might mean you need to alter your lifestyle to some extent when utility power is lost, but whole home backup is achievable. The benefits can be tremendous for those with a realistic understanding of what batteries can and can’t do.
What Types of Batteries Do We Recommend?
At this time, we recommend the Enphase battery backup system with IQ Battery 5P, primarily because we recommend Enphase microinverter grid-interactive systems. However, we also recommend other brands of LiPO battery systems that use the flexible Sol-Ark inverter/chargers for off-grid systems. Tesla Powerwall 3 is another great option for some clients that incorporates a battery with a solar inverter. If you are installing new solar panels, this can be a cost effective and powerful option.
Other batteries and inverters are possible, but we find these three systems cover most needs.
Tesla Powerwall 3 Is A Scalable Battery Backup Option
How To Get Started With Battery Backup
You need a solar consultant that is going to tell you the truth about batteries and advise you on what can be done based on what your needs and desires are. Battery backup is very complex with many factors controlling how good your experience will be. Sizing a system right from the start and understanding the capabilities and limitations of battery systems is key to a successful implementation.
Schedule a consultation with us and learn whether batteries are right for you, or if a simple grid-interactive solar energy system is what you want.
