A solar battery is a device that stores electricity for later consumption and is connected to the solar power system. It can help you keep your appliances running during nighttime, power cuts, or whenever the need arises. However, to pick a solar battery that serves your requirements, you should understand what makes a good solar battery. And apart from the solar battery price, there are many other factors you must consider.
In this article, we will look at the things you need to focus on when buying a solar battery, so let’s get started!
Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing Solar Battery Prices
Energy storage systems like solar batteries provide several benefits, from emergency power backup to cost savings; however, due to their complex terminology, people usually find solar batteries hard to understand.
So, to make it accessible, here are the key things you need to keep in mind when buying a solar battery:
1. Power Rating
The power rating of a solar battery refers to the kilowatt of power that it can provide at one time. In other words, the power rating shows both: the number of appliances the battery can handle at once and which are those appliances.
Different appliances use a different amount of power. For example, a lightbulb uses 12 watts of power, a 3-ton AC consumes about 4.8 kW, and so on. Power rating is an important factor to consider apart from the solar battery price.
2. Battery Storage Capacity
The storage capacity of a solar battery is the amount of electricity that it can store and supply to your house. The battery storage capacity simply tells you how long the solar battery can power your house. Therefore, make sure to check the battery capacity as it represents the amount of electricity stored that you can access during emergencies.
3. Efficiency
Efficiency is a metric that measures how well the solar battery system converts and stores electricity. There are always losses with an electrical process, which means that you will lose some electricity while converting it from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The efficiency of a solar battery tells how many units of electricity you can get out of every unit of electricity you put into it.
4. Battery Life and Warranty
The battery life is another important factor to consider other than the solar battery price. Make sure that the battery you buy provides a long warranty. The warranty period of a solar battery is usually specified in terms of the number of charging and draining cycles it can endure, or the years it will function.
5. Depth of Discharge
Depth of discharge is the measure of the battery capacity that can be used. Manufacturers specify this metric because the battery needs to retain some charge at all times to provide efficient and optimal performance. This is a vital factor you should consider other than the solar battery price.
6. Safety
A solar battery must meet certain safety requirements. The safety of a solar battery is determined by its performance at high temperatures. The best solar battery performs well at all temperatures. Apart from the solar battery price, safety is one of the most significant factors that must not be overlooked.
7. Chemistry
The chemistry of the solar battery is the primary compound that is used to store electricity. It may be the most important characteristic to consider other than the solar battery price. The solar batteries with different chemistries come at significantly different price points, so make sure to choose a battery with a composition that fulfils your power requirements.
8. Brand
The lifespan and warranty of the solar battery depend on the brand. Make sure to buy the battery from a reputed brand to get a battery that provides sufficient capacity and optimal power backup in times of need.
Make sure to keep the above factors in mind when comparing solar battery prices, as investing in high-grade solar batteries can continue to benefit you for many years to come.