Enphase Energy Inc.
12/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 04:32
How to find your ideal solar power storage battery capacity
How many solar batteries do I need for my house?
Finding the number of solar batteries you need for your home is not a one-size-fits-all answer. However, the number of batteries you'll need can generally be determined by your primary solar energy storage goals.
Today, most homeowners seek out a solar battery installation for one of the following reasons:
- Financial savings
Grid-tied solar batteries configured for self-consumption-but not configured for essential or whole-home backup-can still help you maximize long-term savings on energy bills in California and other parts of the U.S. with net energy metering (NEM). For maximum savings, these batteries can store your daily excess solar electricity production and let you use that stored energy in the evening when utility rates are highest. You could even use that stored energy overnight if you have sufficient storage-so you don't have to draw and pay for grid power then either. In states with more favorable net metering rates, stored energy may also be exported to the grid during periods of peak demand and peak rates to help your system pay for itself in avoided utility costs.
- Backup for essential systems
When extreme weather or aging utility grids cause local power outages, a solar battery configured for backup can provide electricity for your home's essential devices. With one or two batteries, a small solar energy storage backup can help power your refrigerator, lights, security systems, and more, whenever grid electricity is unavailable.
- Whole house backup
To back up your entire home with solar energy during grid power outages, you'll need to install more batteries than would be necessary to run essentials only. Depending on your property's energy demand, a whole-house backup may consist of anywhere between one and ten premium solar batteries.
- Energy independence
If your goal is to reduce your dependence on grid electricity as much as possible, a whole-home backup system can help power your property with solar energy all day, night, and year. As total energy independence requires the most solar batteries installed, it can also lead to the highest installation expenses and is not always cost-effective when utility electricity is also available.
Although the exact details of your installation depend on several factors, understanding the capabilities of solar power storage systems can help you determine your project goals and get a basic idea of the number of batteries you may need. If you need additional solar energy storage capacity after your initial installation, it may also be possible to incorporate another battery into your storage bank with the right technology and system design.