Which home battery is right for me?

Every day, more and more Australians are adding home battery storage to their solar power systems. The motive behind this is to store electricity generated by their solar panels for use later on. But with so many home batteries on the market, choosing the right option for you can be a challenge.

What is Battery Storage?

In most Australian homes, a large proportion of the energy produced by solar power panels is sent back to the grid because it’s generated when it’s not needed, i.e. the middle of the day. However, adding home battery storage to a new or existing solar power system allows you to store your unused energy to use: 

• At night
• On low sunlight days
• When utility rates are more expensive
• During blackouts

Battery storage is a smart way to offset your electricity costs as you maximise your solar energy usage and minimise your reliance on the grid.

Key Considerations

There are a few key things to consider if you are looking for a battery for your home.

1. How much power do you currently use on average per day? Also, does your household generally use the most energy at night? It is important to have an idea of the capacity (kWh) you need in your battery. Note: You can refer to your power bill to see how much power is used.
2. Is your family still growing? You will need a system that can accommodate your changing needs.
3. Maximum Depth of Discharge (DoD): This indicates the percentage of the battery that can been discharged relative to the overall capacity of the battery. For example, if a 6 kWh battery has a 90% maximum DoD, then you shouldn’t use more than 5.4 kWh before recharging the battery. Otherwise, its lifetime may be compromised.
4. Warranty Make sure you choose a provider that has longevity and a good reputation.
5. Budget: How much are you looking to spend upfront?

Two main types of Battery Storage Solutions

What you will also need to consider is the type of battery storage solution. Below is an overview, which will give insight into the key differences between the two different popular solutions:

• Lithium-ion: Currently, the most popular option for solar systems. Lithium-ion batteries are typically lighter and have a higher maximum DoD than other solutions, typically around 90%. The majority of new battery technologies use some form of lithium-ion composition, but they are more expensive than lead-acid.
• Lead-acid: batteries are often used in off-grid situations with much shorter lifetime and a lower maximum DoD.

Solahart is home to a great range of lithium-ion batteries.