How to choose the battery size for my solar panel system?
Solar panels are increasingly becoming a popular choice for industries making the switch to clean green energy. Sustainability, lower operating costs and eco-friendliness – there are plenty of reasons why industries are increasing their investments in solar panels.
If you are planning to invest in solar panels, you have to consider several factors. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to take is – choosing the right type of solar battery and its size. Check this great blog post on understanding the pros and cons of each solar battery type and how to find the right one for your needs.
If you’re interested in finding the right solar battery size, continue reading below. To find the right battery size, you need to consider four main factors. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.
1. Solar Battery Usage
There are several reasons why people use solar batteries. They are:
- To go off grid or to reduce their reliance on the grid
- To store energy for power cuts
- To use the energy stored in the battery, thereby reducing electricity bills
- To reduce carbon footprint
If you are looking to go off grid completely, then you need to invest in a big battery. On the other hand, if you are looking for a battery to power your appliances during a power cut, then a smaller battery will do. If you want to maximise solar energy consumption, then you need to consider your usage while deciding the battery size.
2. Electricity Usage
The next factor to consider is how much electricity you use and when will you use it. Generally, most solar panel installations use a third of their total electricity from the solar panels and the rest is purchased from the grid. So, if you use 30kWh power in a day, you need to look for a battery with a capacity of at least 10kWh.
If you are not sure how much energy you use in a day, take a look at your electricity bill. It shows the total units consumed in a month. You can divide it by 30 to get the approximate usage per day.
3. Budget
Note that solar batteries are available in a variety of sizes and budgets. You can find one that suits your price. Keep in mind that the final price of a solar battery depends on its size and brand. Look for leading brands like Tusker Power that supply both solar batteries and inverters. This way, you can purchase a solar battery + inverter combo for the best value.
Additionally, check out if you qualify for any solar incentives offered by the centre or state. With the push to solar power, the government offers various incentives for solar installations. This can help you cut down the cost of the battery significantly.
Also, don’t purchase a solar battery just because it costs the lowest. Look for batteries that offer you guarantee so that you can get them replaced if any repairs occur down the line.
4. Size of the Solar Panels
The final factor you have to consider while figuring out the size of the battery is the solar panel size. Also, you’ll have to consider whether you are planning to integrate the battery into an existing solar installation or whether it will be used for a new system.
- When adding Solar Batteries to an Existing System
In this case, the battery capacity should match the capacity of the solar panels. However, note that if you only have a couple of solar panels and all the energy generated directly powers your appliances, then you don’t have to invest in a solar battery. This is because, there will be very little or no power leftover to store in the battery. Alternatively, you can consider expanding the capacity of the solar panels before you invest in a battery.
- When adding a Solar Battery to a New Solar Panel System
If you’re installing solar panels from scratch, then you can easily find a battery that suits your power needs exactly. If you’re not sure, you can always get the help of the solar battery supplier to help you decide the right battery size.
Do your Homework
As you can see, there are several factors to consider when deciding the solar battery size. Make sure to discuss your goals, energy usage, budget and other factors with battery suppliers to help you find the right batteries. Also, keep in mind that a solar battery is a long-term investment. So, it pays to shop around, compare brands and get quotes from different manufacturers to help you save time and money.
If you have any questions, you can always reach out to EuroIndustriel and we can help you with all your sizing needs.
