3 Tips for Choosing the Right Solar Battery

Despite the popularity of solar panels today, the industry itself is still relatively new when you consider how long we’ve used conventional forms of electricity. If you think about it, the solar power industry is only in its infancy. 

So, it makes sense if you have a good amount of questions regarding solar power, especially when installing solar panels in your home. The reality is that the upfront cost is expensive, but in the long run, it can save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

If you want to make a conscious change to solar power, here’s what to know about choosing the best solar battery that lasts. 

What Exactly Is a Solar Battery?

Just like any other battery, a solar unit stores electricity. But the difference is that a solar battery stores this power for later use — when you have a power outage, for example.

The purpose of solar panels is to operate without being connected to a traditional electricity source. But sometimes, even solar panels needs backup. So this is where a solar battery comes into play. 

Solar batteries are also called deep cycle batteries because of their large and impressive capacity to operate an array of electrical appliances all at once. Check out gopowerfleet.com for a selection of solar power and deep cycle options. 

Here’s how to choose the best battery for your needs: 

1. Power Rating Is Your Top Priority 

The reading for power rating on most types of batteries is kilowatts (kW) or Amps. This basically refers to the amount of power a battery provides at any given time, i.e. how many appliances it can power. 

Different types of appliances consume different amounts of energy. The standard amount of power that most batteries offer today is around 5 kW, so don’t settle for a solar battery that offers anything less. 

Next, you’ll also need to consider whether you need a continuous power rating or a 5-minutes power rating. The difference is that one battery offers good power at a slower rate. While the other offers large bursts of power in short intervals. 

If you have a large appliance the needs a lot of power to turn on, such as a sump pump, a 5-minute power rating is your better choice. 

2. Always Look for Good Storage Capacity 

The storage capacity of a solar battery refers to its size and how much power it can store. While battery power measures in kW, battery size measures in kW-hours (kWh). This reading tells you how long your battery will power your home (or parts of it) for. 

Always look at the usable capacity of storage — it’s this number that accurately represents how much power a battery stores. Remember that your power usage impacts the length of a battery’s charge. In other words, the more power you consume, the quicker the battery will drain.  

3. Roundtrip Efficiency Is Essential 

This might sound complicated but the premise is simple. Roudtrip efficiency refers to how well your battery and inverter stores and converts electricity for you.

When it comes to any type of electrical process there is always some form of energy loss, especially when its inverted from a direct current to an alternating current. The roundtrip efficiency of a solar battery indicates how much electricity you’ll get out of it according to how much electricity (or charge) you put into it. 

Broaden Your Knowledge, Broaden Your Horizons 

When choosing a top-quality solar battery, always keep these three key considerations in mind: the power rating, battery storage, and rountrip efficiency. This way, you’re guaranteed the best return-on-investment when solar powering your home. 

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