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Solar batteries are a great way to save money on your energy bill in Phoenix, Arizona. They can provide you with up to 70% of your energy needs at your home our business. Solar batteries are a clean, renewable source of energy that will help reduce your carbon footprint. They are also very reliable and have a long lifespan.
When you include energy storage with your solar installation, you can use that stored energy to power your home after sunset. Batteries also supply your home with energy during peak hours of demand when utility companies charge the most for electricity. Drawing power from your battery instead of the grid saves you money on electricity.
You can also finance battery storage systems in the same low-interest loan as your solar system. This gives homeowners an affordable monthly payment that saves them money on electricity. Further, the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (Solar Tax Credit) was recently raised to 30%, and now includes solar batteries.
If you’re considering solar batteries, now is the time to act. Prices are dropping and technology is improving. Don’t wait any longer, the future is solar. Schedule your free consultation today!
Never Be Left in the Dark Again
Without a battery, your panels will not provide solar power to your home during power outages. This is because the National Electrical Code requires solar systems be shut down when the grid goes down for safety reasons.
This leaves you and your family without power to critical appliances like your refrigerator, freezer, and lights. But, if you have a solar battery, you can maintain power to your home when the grid goes down.
As soon as the grid goes down, the battery detects it and starts supplying your home with power in milliseconds. You won’t even notice the switch to battery power has occurred. The battery will start supplying your home with electricity, and it will continue to be charged by the solar panels. You can also connect a generator to your system to charge the battery at night.
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Types of Solar Batteries
The two main types of batteries used in solar installations are lithium ion and flooded lead acid. Despite being expensive, lithium ion batteries are becoming the most popular choice for residential solar batteries. This is because they have a long lifespan and require no maintenance.
Lead acid batteries have been around for the longest. They are known for their low cost and reliability, but they require regular maintenance.
Batteries used in solar energy systems are deep cycle batteries. This means they are designed to provide a consistent flow of energy over long periods of time. Their ability to deeply discharge and to recharge a large amount of electricity is essential for solar systems.
Lithium Ion Batteries
Lithium ion batteries are a type of battery chemistry. They are often used in laptop computers and cell phones. Lithium ion batteries have a higher energy density than other types of batteries. This means that they can hold a lot of power in a small package.
The most popular lithium ion products are the Tesla Powerwall, Generac PWRcell, Enphase IQ, LG Chem, and Sonnen batteries. Most of these items are Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. LFP batteries are maintenance-free and ideal for both full-time and intermittent use. They’re also safer because they consist of a different chemistry than small lithium batteries which can overheat and catch fire.
The storage capacity of single lithium on batteries varies from about 5 kWh to 20 kWH. To see how long a battery will charge your household appliances, see our Appliance Wattage Chart.
Advantages of Lithium Ion Batteries
Lithium batteries are ideal for most residential consumers because of their reliability, durability, and maintenance-free operation.
There are several advantages to lithium ion batteries. They are the most efficient way to store solar energy. Lithium batteries have more than 95% efficiency. This means that if 1,000 watts of solar energy is generated, the battery will store 950 watts.
Lithium ion batteries have the longest lifespan. They will last for over 3,000 charging cycles if used in the proper conditions. Lithium batteries require no maintenance. They are the most compact and lightweight batteries per kWh of storage capacity.
Flooded Lead Acid Batteries
Flooded lead acid batteries are another type of battery chemistry. These batteries are often used in cars and trucks.
The advantages of flooded lead acid batteries are that they have a lower up-front cost per kWh of storage. They also are durable and have a long lifespan if maintained correctly.
Flooded lead acid batteries do require regular maintenance in the form of watering, cleaning, and equalizing. They are also sensitive to the elements and temperature changes, so they must be placed inside.
See our page on the Cost of Solar Batteries for more information on that topic.