When it comes to determining how many solar batteries are needed to power a house, unfortunately there’s no straightforward answer. You must weigh several factors, including your particular goal, the size of your home, how much energy you consume, the amount of storage you want, the battery type, and the electricity rate in your area. Aside from that, you must account for the budget, as the highly efficient Li-ion batteries are pretty expensive.
If you don’t want to get into intricacies and get your goal right, such as how much electricity you need and having a limited budget, Jackery Solar Generators are a great choice. It packs in reliability, power, low maintenance, and portability, which aren’t with traditional batteries.
Key Takeaways
- Solar batteries store the electricity produced by the solar system.
- The number of solar systems you need depends on your needs, including cost savings, backup essential systems, or powering the entire house.
- You must consider factors like home size, storage space requirements, energy usage, and the electricity rate in your area.
- Solar batteries are of four types: lithium-ion, lead-acid, lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4), nickel-cadmium, and sodium nickel sulfide.
What Is A Solar Battery?
A solar battery is a device added to a solar array to store the electricity it produces, and it is used to power your home appliances all year round. Without a solar battery, the excess electricity from solar power goes to the grid for others to use, and you won’t get it when the panels can’t generate enough electricity.
Now, let’s understand how these solar batteries work. Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular among other solar batteries in the market. The science is simple, and the same is true with smartphones and other high-end batteries. The electricity from solar panels initiates a chemical reaction inside the battery, and the resultant chemical is stored before converting into electrical energy. Then, the electricity is passed on to power your electrical appliances.
Solar batteries allow you to generate and use electricity at any time, which increases the reliability of solar power and less on traditional electric grids, so you save a lot on your monthly electric bills. Also, using stored energy from your solar system helps reduce your carbon footprint.
However, the ones attached to solar panels are useful only for household appliances. If you want added convenience, opt for Jackery Portable Power Stations. These, with Lithium batteries, are as efficient as traditional ones but with added portability, safety, affordability, and noise-free.
How Many Solar Batteries Do I Need?
The answer to how many batteries I need for solar power depends on why you’re installing a solar array with batteries. Here are the primary reasons for that:
Goal 1: Cost Savings from Load Shifting
To save the most from solar batteries, you must store enough power to keep your home self-sufficient during peak hours. The peak hours depend on where you live, your utility provider, and your plan.
Typically, you’ll need around two to three solar batteries to offset the use of electrical appliances during peak hours or when your panels aren’t generating enough power. You’ll still rely on grids but will be energy-independent enough to maximize your solar investments.
Goal 2: Backup essential systems
Solar batteries are a reliable solution for powering your basic essential items when there’s a power outage due to grid failure or extreme weather hindering solar systems' power generation ability. A single battery suffices if you only need to power a few basic appliances during emergencies.
Goal 3: Whole House Backup
If you want your solar system to power your entire house and go off the grid, you’ll need around 8-12 batteries. It will vary depending on the energy you use, the appliances you power, for how long, and the size of solar systems.
Factors Affect Solar Battery Quantity
Aside from deciding on the number of batteries from your needs, consider other factors when making a decision, which are as follows:
Home Size
Your home size primarily determines the number of solar batteries you need for two reasons: one, the bigger your home, the more energy you use, and two, the larger the solar system you need. Also, large homes have large roofs, accommodating more solar panels. Long story short, you will need more solar batteries if you reside in a large dwelling.
How Much Storage Do You Want
As mentioned, the amount of electricity you want to store is a pivotal factor in determining the batteries you need. In other words, how heavily you want to rely on your personally generated electricity. For example, you’ll need 2-3 batteries to power your appliances during peak hours and up to 12 batteries to offset your dependence on electrical grids.
Energy Usage
Irrespective of your home size, the differentiator in the number of solar batteries from one homeowner to another is their respective energy usage. Some families have only a few appliances to power, while the scenarios are opposite for some. Calculate your average energy usage by dividing your past year’s consumption by 12 to determine how much your home uses electricity every month. It should give you a fairly accurate idea of how many solar batteries you need.
Flat vs. Variable Electricity Rate
Lastly, your electric plan determines the number of batteries to purchase. Depending on the electricity rates in your area, you can sell any surplus electricity to the utilities at a premium price. It refers to arbitrage, and it varies from one state to another. If you live in a state with high rates, you can invest in more batteries to generate more income for that energy store.
However, remember that you can’t just keep on installing batteries to store a ton of energy and sell it back. Some states have a cap on the maximum amount of electricity you can arbitrage every month.
How Many Solar Batteries Are Needed to Power A House?
Once you’ve set your goal and understand what needs to be kept in mind, it’s time to calculate the number of batteries you need. For that, follow the steps in order:
Step 1: Estimate Your Storage Needs
Firstly, calculate the amount of solar energy you want to store, i.e., the electricity you need to fulfill your goals. If your goal is to use the batteries during peak hours or emergencies like cloudy days or power outages, you’ll need electricity that suffices through that peak time-of-use period (typically 4-9 pm). For example, to power lights, entertainment devices, water, heating, and appliances for 24 hours, you want at least 8kWh of usable battery capacity. If you want to completely offset your dependence on electric grids, calculate your daily energy usage and get a battery backup power accordingly.
To calculate your energy usage, use the formula:
Monthly Energy Usage (kWh) = Yearly Energy Usage (kWh)/12
Yearly energy usage is typically obtained from your previous year’s bills. So, for example, if your annual energy usage is 144kWh, then
Monthly Energy Usage (kWh)= 144/12 = 12kWh
Step 2: Pick a Battery Size
Now you have a precise idea about your storage needs, it’s time to start shopping for the batteries. Most lithium batteries have a capacity in the range of 3-18kWh, so get one that fits your needs best. In many cases, you can pair two batteries to create high-capacity systems. For example, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station with 2042.8Wh capacity can be paired.
Step 3: Configure the Batteries
Now, it’s time to configure the batteries to fit your storage needs. For example, your energy usage is 12kWh, so there’s more than one way to achieve the desired system size. For example, connect five add-on Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus with 1*Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Stations.
Types of Solar Batteries
Solar batteries are primarily of five types: Lithium-ion, lead-acid, Lithium-ion Phosphate (LiFePO4), Nickel-cadmium, and Sodium nickel sulfide. The first three types make up most modern solar batteries, but these are constantly evolving, and it’s worth keeping an eye on all of them. So let’s explore them in detail:
Lead-Acid Battery
Lead-acid batteries once were a popular choice for solar storage, and they remained so for a long time due to their efficiency and reliability. These batteries contain a mixture of sulfuric acid and water as an electrolyte, which breaks down to release loose electrons in a chemical reaction.
These are less expensive than Li-ion batteries, much bigger, heavier, and often require regular maintenance. In general, it’s ideal for delivering shorter bursts of energy and unreliable for prolonged home backup needs.
Pros
- Proven technology
- Low upfront cost
- Wide operating temperature range
- Around 95% recyclable
Cons
- Low Depth of Discharge (~50%)
- Shorter lifespan
- High long-term maintenance costs
- Low energy density
Lithium-ion Battery
Lithium-ion batteries are a predominant choice in most solar battery backups due to their long lifespan, low maintenance, small size, and high energy density. Compared to Lead-acid batteries, these have an energy density of up to 300Wh/kg, so you can pack more power in a small space.
A Li-ion battery comprises four elements- a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte solution, and a separator. The electrolytes in these batteries are typically a mixture of lithium salts, solvents, and additives. Depending on what it contains, Li-ion batteries are of six types:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
- Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)
- Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)
- Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)
- Lithium Titanate (LTO)
- Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA)
Overall, it’s a much better choice than any type, but it has its disadvantages, which are as follows:
Pros
- High density
- Longer lifespan
- 80% Depth of Discharge
- Wide range of model options
- No maintenance
Cons
- High cost
- Risk of a fire if not installed properly
If you want a reliable power station with a Li-ion battery that’s reliable, doesn’t require any installations, and is most importantly portable, Jackery Portable Power Stations are a great alternative. Whether you’re looking for a power station to power your home, workplace, or outdoor appliances, Jackery's range of power stations has you covered.
LiFePO4 Battery
LiFePO4 batteries are a subtype of Li-ion batteries which has slowly been made into people’s houses due to their safe nature, long lifespan, and high efficiency. You can typically find these rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles, backup power systems, off-grid solar generators, etc. Jackery Portable Power Stations are a popular name to use these batteries with the ability to charge up to 99% of your home and outdoor appliances.
The drawback of these batteries is that they are currently more expensive than typical Li-ion batteries, mainly because of the new technology available to a few suppliers.
Pros
- Extremely stable chemistry and safe
- Non-toxic and don’t contain any rare earth materials
- Can withstand higher temperatures and weather conditions
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- Low nominal voltage
- Some batteries don’t perform at low temperatures.
Nickel-cadmium Battery
Nickel-cadmium batteries are not popular for solar energy backup, but their energy density is double that of a lead-acid battery. These batteries are expensive, durable, and deliver excellent performance even at high temperatures, making them a good choice for industrial and commercial projects. Besides, Cadmium is toxic and isn’t recommended for residential use.
Pros
- Ni-Cd batteries are highly reliable and robust.
- Work well in extreme temperatures
- High discharge rate
- Good cycle life
Cons
- High cost
- Cadmium is toxic
Sodium Nickel Sulfide Battery
Sodium Nickel Sulfide batteries are comparatively new and still in development. Unlike traditional lead-acid batteries, they have a long lifespan and high energy density. They are more affordable to manufacture and environmentally friendly, but they aren’t widely available and might not be a good fit for many solar systems.
Pros
- Long lifespan
- High energy density
- Affordable than nickel-cadmium batteries
- Environmentally friendly
Cons
- Aren’t widely available
- It might not be a fit for all solar systems.
Here’s a detailed table for the chemistry, power density, temperature resistance, and other respective factors for each battery type:
|
|
LFP |
Li-Ion |
Nickel-cadmium |
Sodium nickel sulfide |
Lead-acid |
|
Chemistry |
Metallic lead, Lead dioxide, Lead Sulfate, and Sulfuric Acid |
Lithium salts (like lithium-cobalt oxide or LiCoO2), solvents, and additives |
Nickel layer, Cadmium layer, and Separator layer |
molten sodium, molten sulfur, solid ceramic electrolyte called sodium alumina. |
Lead, Lead dioxide, Sulfuric acid, Lead Sulfate |
|
Energy Density |
150Wh/kg |
300Wh/kg |
150Wh/kg |
788Wh/kg |
70Wh/kg |
|
Depth of Discharge |
Upto 100% |
80% |
90% |
80-90% |
~50% |
|
Operating Temperature |
-20-60°C (-4 - 140°F) |
15-35°C (59 - 95°F) |
−40°C to +70°C (-40 - 158°F) |
300°C (572°F) |
25°C (77°F) |
|
Ideal Usage |
Self-consumption & TOU modes |
Backup mode |
For power tools, generators, industrial and commercial use |
Load leveling, backup power, and renewable energy stabilization applications |
Emergency lighting and power sump pumps |
Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained
Jackery is a popular manufacturer of superior-quality solar products such as power stations, solar panels, and solar generators. All Jackery Portable Power Stations are equipped with an in-built inverter and multiple ports to charge appliances.
As mentioned above, these portable power stations are equipped with Li-ion batteries that are durable and last long. You can pair them with Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels with highly efficient monocrystalline silicon solar cells that collect and convert the sun’s rays to DC current and passes onto the pure sine wave inverter, which then converts it into AC current to charge home or outdoor appliances.
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station
This powerful and large Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station features a large battery capacity that can power 99% of appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, power tools, and others. Its portable and ergonomic design contains double wheels and pull rods, making it a reliable choice for camping and off-grid living. It’s even an excellent choice for indoor use, thanks to its ability to operate with less noise.
Appliance Working Hours:
- Portable Air Conditioner (1150W): 2.2H
- Refrigerator (500W): 5.1H
- Electric Oven (1600W): 1.6H
- Electric Drill (900W): 2.8H
- Microwave (700W): 3.6H
Customer Review: “Used this during my last camping trip, and it is awesome! Powered my microwave, portable fridge/freezer, 2 heated blankets at night and still have plenty of battery left the next day.” - Chris.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
If you want a comparatively smaller portable power station to power your indoor and outdoor appliances, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station is a great choice. It features a reliable LiFePO4 battery with a maximum five-year warranty and can endure several thousand charge and discharge cycles to power 96% of your home or outdoor appliances.
Appliance Working Hours:
- Portable Air Conditioner (1150W): 1.6H
- Refrigerator (500W): 3.6H
- Electric Oven (1600W): 1.1H
- Microwave (700W): 2.6H
- Electric Drill (900W): 2H
Customer Review: “I am impressed with how easy it is to use. No gas smells, no exhaust fumes, and plenty of power. The generator runs many different devices simultaneously as long as you keep the output wattage within the 2200-wattage range. - Franklin.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
If you want more power from a small battery backup, consider the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station. It consists of a LiFePO4 battery that can supply steady electricity to 99% of your appliances for several hours. Besides, it's safe, doesn’t make noise, is low-maintenance, and lasts long.
- Refrigerator (500W): 2.14H
- Microwave (700W): 1.53H
- Electric Drill (900W): 1.2H
- Laptop (60W): 18H
Customer Review- "Jackery is stable and lightweight enough that I can lift it easily. It charged rapidly using the wall outlet, and I got a 200W solar panel to help charge when camping and boondocking. I know my Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus will be supported and work properly." - Pat.
How to Choose The Best Solar Battery?
The below-mentioned tips will help you find the best solar battery for different applications:
Capacity: The first thing to check in a battery is the total electricity it can store or its capacity, measured in kWh. Most solar batteries are stackable, so you can pair multiple batteries for the needed capacity. But capacity doesn’t tell the whole story, as in how much it can provide at the moment. For that, check its power rating (kW), and the battery with a higher power rating delivers low electricity for a long time and vice versa.
Depth of Discharge: Due to their chemical composition, most solar batteries, especially lead-acid batteries, must retain some charge. The DoD (Depth of Discharge) is the amount of battery capacity that’s been used. Manufacturers provide the DoD of each battery for optimal performance. The higher the value, the more you can utilize it before recharging.
Round-trip Efficiency: A battery's round-trip efficiency refers to the amount of energy you can use as a percentage of the amount it takes to store. For example, if you feed 5kWh to a battery but only get 4kWh back, its round-trip efficiency is 80%. The higher a battery's round-trip efficiency, the more economic value you can get out of it.
Battery Life and Warranty: A battery’s ability to hold charge gradually decreases over time as you use it more. For example, a battery warranted for 4,000 cycles at 70% of its original capacity, which means it loses 30% of its battery capacity at the end of the warranty.
Solar Battery Maintenance
Now you have a reliable and efficient battery for your solar panel; you must maintain it to keep it performing optimally for a long time. Here are a few expert battery maintenance tips:
Keep Batteries Clean: It's important to clean batteries periodically to maintain optimal solar energy output and storage. Without that, your battery, especially the lead-acid battery, can become ineffective and prone to hazards.
Store in a Dry and Cool Place: Proper storage of solar batteries is important to prolong their lives and efficiency. Without proper storage, the batteries risk damage from humidity, temperature, and dust. Also, storing them away from direct sunlight and heat sources is essential.
Avoid Overcharging: It’s important not to overcharge your solar battery to avoid severe damage. If your backup solutions are charged too much or too quickly, they might catch fire or be permanently damaged. Make sure to check the battery’s voltage and specific gravity to check its state of charge.
FAQs
How big of a portable power station do I need for my home?
The size of a portable power station you need for your home depends on multiple factors, including the appliances you use, their wattages, and how many hours you run them simultaneously. Instead, you can calculate the working hours of a particular power station.
For example, if you use a Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station to power a Refrigerator (500W) and Microwave (700W), then its total working hours are calculated using the formula:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours = 3024Wh * 0.85 /1200W = 2.14H
Note: The battery capacity is always multiplied by 0.85 to account for the power loss during charging.
How many batteries do I need to power my house at night?
The number of batteries you need at night depends on factors like the amount of electricity required and the battery’s usage capacity.
How long will a 10kW battery power my house?
A 10kW battery can power an average house for 10-12 hours during a power outage and up to 24 hours without running AC or heaters.
Can one solar battery power a house?
Yes, a fully charged 10kWh battery can power a house.
How many batteries do I need to run an off-grid house?
A standard three-bedroom off-grid house requires 8-12V batteries, and the more the person, the more batteries are needed.
Final Thoughts
Overall, when deciding on how many solar batteries are needed to power a house, it’s essential to account for factors like usage patterns, budget, and location and invest in a solution that best suits your needs. In other words, there’s no definite answer to the question, and homeowners must consider the factors to decide which battery type and how many suits their personal needs. Or you can just figure out your needs and invest in Jackery Portable Power Stations with the capacity to power most of your appliances for an extended period.
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