A standard U.S. home consumes around 30 kWh daily. When choosing a solar battery for your residence, it is recommended to consider a 47 kWh capacity, though this may vary based on battery efficiency and Depth of Discharge (DoD). That’s an approximate value if you plan to completely offset your dependence on electric grids. For a partial backup, the value might differ with the appliance wattage and number of hours they’ll run. Meanwhile, commercial or industrial setups use more heavy-duty appliances, and you’ll need high-capacity battery storage.
Solar generators are the best way for residential setups to minimize dependence on electric grids or keep your appliances running during extended power outages or blackouts. Jackery Solar Generators use LiFePO4 and NMC batteries, which are far more reliable than lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries. The solar-powered generators with large battery capacities ensure they can power small to heavy-duty residential appliances like ACs, refrigerators, and heaters.
Key Takeaways
- Solar battery storage keeps the excess energy generated by the solar panels and discharges it when needed.
- Electricity rates, usage scenarios, and load determine electric battery storage needs.
- A residential setup might need around 47kWh for whole-house backup, considering their average consumption is around 30kWh per day, the battery efficiency, and Depth of Discharge. For partial backup, determine the total load to determine the actual solar battery storage capacity.
- To set up a solar battery, you must pay the upfront costs, installation and inverter chargers, and permitting fees.
Understanding Solar Battery Storage
A solar battery storage system uses a battery to store the excess electricity generated by solar panels. This way, you have electricity even when the sun isn’t shining, like at night or cloudy days. Let’s understand how it works.
How Does Solar Battery Storage Work?
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular solar battery types due to their high energy density, longer lifespan, and more. When a solar panel produces excess electricity, it charges the battery by moving lithium ions from the anode to the cathode through an electrolyte. The lithium ions return to the anode when a home appliance is plugged into a battery. At the same time, electrons move in the opposite direction, powering the appliance.
Residential solar battery storage combines multiple Li-ion batteries joined in a complicated circuit to regulate the performance and safety of solar power systems.
Factors That Determine Solar Battery Storage Needs
Understanding your solar battery storage needs is fundamental, and many factors are crucial. These are as follows:
- Electricity Load: It is the amount of electricity the battery takes to power your residential appliances. The more appliances, the greater the load, and you’ll need more solar battery storage.
- Usage Scenario: The purpose of installing a solar system determines the storage you need. If you plan to use it as an emergency backup or go full off-grid, you'll need more solar battery storage.
- Utility Electricity Rate: Depending on the utility, electricity rates can be flat or variable. With a flat rate, you want enough storage to rely on the grid as little as possible. Meanwhile, a variable rate plan like a time-of-use rate ensures enough storage capacity to run through the high-cost times.
Solar Battery Storage Sizing: How to Calculate What You Need
Calculating the number of batteries you need can be daunting. If you get it low, your energy needs won’t be fulfilled. At the same time, too many batteries means an additional expense gets added to your system.
Residential Solar Battery Storage Sizing Guide
According to the EIA, a standard US home consumes 30kWh of energy daily, which translates to around 10,500kWh per year. Electricity consumption typically cycles daily, with the lowest demand occurring in the early morning while the demand peaks in the daytime. Utilities often term this period of high electricity consumption as “peak electricity hours.” It ultimately falls during late evening hours.
However, every household’s electricity needs are different, so home batteries aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Now, to calculate solar battery storage, decide what type of backup system you need: partial or whole-home. Whole-home backup solutions are designed to power your entire home during an outage. Meanwhile, you pick a few home appliances for a partial home backup, such as a refrigerator, internet, TV, lights, or more.
Now, to size a solar battery storage, use the formula:
Battery Capacity = Daily average energy consumption (kWh)/ (Depth of Discharge × Efficiency)
Depth of Discharge (DoD) is the percentage of battery capacity you can use before recharging. Considering 30kWh as average energy consumption, 80% as DoD, and 80% efficiency, the calculation goes as follows: battery capacity = 30/(0.8 × 0.8) = 46.9kWh ≈ 47kWh.
Partial Backup:
For partial backup, Daily energy consumption = Total wattage of appliances × number of hours to run.
Let’s assume you’ll run a TV (120W), refrigerator (900W), and laptop (100W), so the total wattage is 1120W. If you run them for 2 hours, daily energy consumption is 2240Wh or 2.24kWh.
And, Battery Capacity = 2.24/(0.8 × 0.8) = 3.5kWh.
Commercial Solar Battery Storage Systems: Sizing for Business Needs
Commercial solar battery storage systems offer multiple benefits, including energy cost savings, reliability, and support for renewable energy. Businesses can draw power from their storage system during peak demand hours and reduce dependence on electric grids. This way, they save on transmission costs and enhance energy efficiency.
Step 1: Similar to residential, energy consumption in commercial setups varies with the appliance type. A large retail store will consume more energy than a mid- or small-sized store. To calculate the needed solar battery storage size, use the formula:
Battery Capacity = Daily average energy consumption (kWh) / (Depth of Discharge × Efficiency)
Considering the average commercial electricity consumption is around 60kWh/day, battery capacity = 60 /(0.8 × 0.8) = 93.75kWh, where DoD and efficiency are assumed to be 80%.
Step 2: For partial backup, Battery Capacity = (Total wattage of appliances (kW) × Number of hours to run)/ (Depth of Discharge × Efficiency).
Let’s consider you own a mid-sized retail store where you’ll run a POS machine (150W), a computer (200W), LED lighting (60W for six units), CCTV cameras (30W for two units), and a refrigerator (800W). So, Total wattage = 150 + 200 + 60 + 30 + 800 = 1200W or 1.2kW.
Battery Capacity = (1.2 × 6)/ (0.8 × 0.8) = 11.25kWh
Industrial Solar Battery Storage: Large-Scale Power Backup & Grid Independence
Industrial operations have unique energy requirements depending on the specific manufacturing process. These can include continuously running high-temperature furnaces, machinery, drying processes, and specialized energy sources like high-pressure steam. Battery storage must be capable of meeting the fluctuating energy demands based on production cycles.
Step 1: Considering the power requirement is this high, balancing the solar generation and sizing the battery storage can be tricky. When sizing the battery for industrial purposes, sort out your high-power loads and where your savings can be maximized. For example, you are running industrial appliances like motors (2100W), LED Lighting (60W for six units), conveyor systems (1800W), and welding equipment (3500W).
So, Total wattage = 2100W + 60W + 1800W + 3500W = 7,460W or 7.46kW
Step 2: When calculating the storage, determine the maximum hours the machinery will take energy from battery storage. Let's consider it as three hours. Now, using the formula, Battery Capacity = (Total wattage of appliances (kW) × Number of running hours)/ (Depth of Discharge × Efficiency).
If DoD and Efficiency of the solar battery storage is assumed at 80%, then,
Battery Storage = (7.46kW × 3)/ (0.8 × 0.8) = 34.96kWh.
Please Note: The appliance wattage, DoD, efficiency, and other values are based on assumptions. Check the appliance's user guide and respective battery storage to obtain the actual values.
Solar Battery Storage Cost Analysis
The solar battery storage system costs depend on the battery size and capacity. Bigger the storage, the pricier are the batteries.
Breakdown of Solar Battery Storage System Cost
The cost of a solar battery storage system includes the cost of batteries, installation, inverter, and permitting. Here’s a typical cost breakdown of a typical solar battery installation:
Battery: Solar batteries, on average, cost between $400 and $1,344 per kWh. So, costs get higher with its capacity, with the residential batteries the lowest, followed by commercial and industrial. For example, a typical home solar battery costs between $36,000 and $60,000 each, while commercial batteries range between $48,000-$84,000. Meanwhile, industrial batteries cost $3,600,000 and more.
Inverter and Installation Costs: The inverter and the costs of setting everything up add up to the final price. A typical residential solar inverter and installation costs between $8,000 and $10,000, while it stays between $20,000 and $30,000 for commercial setups. The costs for an industrial system are the highest, typically between $25,000 and $45,000.
Permitting: Solar battery permitting costs vary by jurisdiction and the type of project. The cost of permitting is highest for industrial setups, followed by commercial and residential setups. As per Energy.gov, the residential solar battery storage permit costs around two-thirds of the system cost. For commercial and industrial projects, the costs depend on the project size.
Please Note: The actual cost of installing a battery (residential, commercial, or industrial) will vary with its type, brand, and complexity.
Tax Credits and Incentives for Solar Battery Storage
The best tax credit for solar battery storage is the Investment Tax Credit, which, according to the EPA, provides 30% of the cost of your solar system if it meets certain conditions. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), all systems over 3kWh in size are eligible for a 30% residential clean energy credit if purchased before 2032. It applies to some Jackery Solar Generators, including Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (4kWh), and others.
For commercial properties, the Clean Electricity Investment Credit (CEIC) offers a credit of up to 50% of the project cost for solar battery storage installations. The credit starts at 6% and increases if the project meets specific requirements, such as using US-based materials or located in an energy community.
Other than that, many states offer tax rebates, which, combined with federal ITC, can save more of your money. For example, the Maryland Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program provides $1000 grants to homeowners who install solar panels.
Here’s a detailed cost breakdown of a solar battery installation for various setups:
|
Parameter |
Residential |
Commercial |
Industrial |
|
Required Battery Capacity (kWh) |
30-50 |
40-70 |
3,000-6,000 |
|
Initial Cost (considering per kWh battery cost at $1,200) |
$36,000-$60,000 |
$48,000-$84,000 |
$3,600,000 and more |
|
Installation and Inverter Cost |
$8,000-$10,000 |
$20,000-$30,000 |
$25,000-$45,000 |
|
Tax credits and incentives |
$13,200-$21,000 |
$23,800-$39,900 |
$1,260,000 and more |
|
Total System Cost Estimate |
$30,800-$49,000 |
$44,200-$74,100 |
$2,356,250 and more |
Please Note: These are estimated values, and the actual costs vary with the type of appliances, additional state-based incentives, and more. Also, as commercial tax rebates range from 6% to 30%, the calculations are performed with a 35% rebate.
Jackery Solar Generators for Essential Home Backup
Jackery is a leading name in solar-based products and manufactures highly efficient and portable solar generators, power stations, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators consist of Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels and Jackery Portable Power Stations, which collect, convert, and supply electricity to essential appliances.
Jackery Solar Generators can be an excellent backup solution to keep you connected during power outages and blackouts. You can also use them to power your appliances during peak hours and see a major drop in electric bills.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus + Smart Transfer Switch
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus has a large battery capacity and can run most household appliances for hours, even heavy-duty ones. It can be refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, and others. Its pull rod and double wheels make it easy to transport from one place to another. With a Jackery Smart Transfer Switch, you can connect Jackery Solar Explorer 5000 Plus to the electric panel, and it switches it to the backup power within 0ms, that is, almost immediately. It ensures a seamless power switching to keep the essential appliances running during power outages.
Appliances Working Hours
- Hair Dryer (1500W): 2.8H
- Window AC (1800W): 2.3H
- Countertop Microwave (1300W): 3.2H
- Electric Oven (2500W): 1.7H
- Coffee Machine (1500W): 2.8H
Customer Review:
“I bought this as a backup power option for power outages. This is an absolute beast of a home battery supply.”- Kendra.
Solar Battery Storage FAQs
How long will a 10kW battery last?
A 10kW battery will last up to 10 hours for a typical household that consumes around 1kW an hour. However, the actual number will vary with the type of appliances you want to power and their duration, so calculate accordingly.
How many ACs can run on 10 kW?
A 10kW solar battery can power four ACs simultaneously for an hour, considering their respective wattage is 2,000W. The numbers will change depending on the type of AC and its respective wattage.
How much does it cost to add battery storage to a solar system?
According to Energy.gov, adding battery storage to a solar power system would cost between $12,000 and $22,000. The prices depend on battery capacity, brand, and system requirements.
How many years does a solar battery last?
Typically, a solar battery lasts 5 to 15 years, but it depends on multiple factors. It includes Depth of Discharge, the percentage of battery capacity used before recharging, battery type, usage, and maintenance.
How many solar batteries are needed to power a house?
Two to three solar batteries are typically suitable to power a house. However, the number varies with the homeowner's specific goals and requirements, such as whether they plan to save on electric bills or run the appliances during power outages, and battery capacity.
How many 200Ah batteries can power a home?
Typically, 2 to 10+ 200Ah batteries will provide sufficient backup power. The actual number of 200Ah batteries needed to power a home depends on the appliances and the home’s average power consumption.
Conclusion
Solar battery storage is crucial as it determines how much energy it can store and lets you leverage it when needed. Understanding how much power you need in your residential, commercial, and industrial setup allows you to invest right and offset a chunk of the electric bills. Jackery Solar Generators are one of the most reliable and efficient solar generators. They are safe and can power your household appliances for hours.
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