If you own a grid-connected solar power system, your property will rely on the utility grid when it uses more power than your solar panels can produce. With this in mind, your panels might also not be able to power your property during an outage. Most solar stops working when the power goes out, but Smart Wave Solar offers an emergency power supply at no additional cost. We’re able to offer this through technology we’ve developed and patented. Contact us today to learn more (add link).
Having said that, you might also want a backup battery to store electricity. But while this is convenient to have in a blackout, you may wonder how long solar panel batteries last?
Let’s look at this and other concerns related to having solar panel batteries.
Adding Battery Backup for Solar Panels
Installing batteries to your existing solar energy system is possible. However, it can be challenging, especially if your system isn’t designed for such functionality. Below are a few possible ways to get it done.
AC Coupling
An AC-coupled system feeds direct current (DC) from your existing solar energy system into a battery-based inverter, which converts DC to alternating current (AC). You can either use an inverter to convert AC back to DC power for storage or send it to another inverter that does the same. Any battery-stored power must be reversed three times before you can use it in an AC-coupled system.
DC Coupling
Solar panels in a DC-coupled system send DC power to a charge controller, which regulates the voltage and current from the panel to the battery to prevent overcharging.
This removes the need to convert solar energy from DC to AC and back again before it can be stored in the battery since the charge controller links directly to the battery system. Regardless of whether the power produced by the solar panels travels from the batteries to your home’s electrical system or the grid, it will only be reversed once (from DC to AC).
Storage-Ready Inverter
Consider replacing your grid-connected inverter with a storage-ready one
instead of retrofitting your system with AC or DC coupling.
If your string inverter is nearing the end of its useful life, replace it with a hybrid inverter. It converts DC voltage from your panels to AC to provide power, but it can also transform AC from the grid to DC to recharge the batteries. Since it can be connected to the grid, you’ll be able to send surplus power to the grid for credits.
How Long Do Solar Panel Batteries Last?
The standard warranty of solar panel batteries is 10 years, so expect them to last as long as their coverage. However, their lifespan may be shorter or longer depending on operating temperature, usage, and maintenance.
Routine repairs and frequent inspections ensure your batteries are always in excellent condition and operating at peak efficiency. They’re likely to break down and fail earlier than usual when you neglect them.
How Much Is a Battery for a Solar Panel?
The cost of a battery backup for your solar energy system depends on its capacity—the larger it is, the more expensive it will be. However, the price of a single battery doesn’t determine the total cost of a backup system.
The entire project cost is increased by factors such as the number of required batteries, battery chemistry, inverter, and installation fees. Adding batteries to your solar panels will, of course, cost money, but it will be a worthwhile investment in the long term, particularly if you sell surplus electricity back to the grid. The best way to get an accurate cost on a backup battery system for your solar panels is to get a custom bid from one of our Energy Consultants. We offer bids free of charge, and absolutely no pressure.
If you’ve looked into solar backup batteries before and have been discouraged by the price, Smart Wave Solar can help! Our patented emergency power system comes free with any standard solar installation and can be combined with a smaller portable battery. These portable batteries start as low as $1,099.
Be Outage-Ready with Battery Backup
Smart Wave Solar offers a variety of dependable emergency power systems that can keep your solar panels running in the event of a power loss. If you have any queries regarding power backups or how long solar panel batteries will last, our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
Contact us today to get a free estimate on your specific needs.
