What Battery Is Best for Solar?

Solar panel systems with battery storage are becoming increasingly popular among households and businesses as a reliable source of renewable energy. 

However, the challenge with solar energy is that it can only be reliably generated when the sun is shining. In a country like Australia where the sun’s energy provides a vastly reliable and consistent source of renewable energy, homeowners have the ability to not only generate sufficient power, but store, export and sell it as well. 

Fortunately, solar batteries are a wonderful solution for achieving exactly that. Powerful, efficient, and offering a range of flexible solutions to achieving an energy-efficient home, the opportunities are endless.

But what exactly is the best battery for solar, and how can you choose the right one for your needs? 

In this article, we will explore the options available in Australia and provide data and statistics to help you make an informed decision.

What is a solar battery?

Put simply, a solar battery is a type of rechargeable battery that stores excess solar energy generated by solar panels. 

Solar batteries allow both homeowners and businesses to use their solar power systems to generate and store electricity during the day, then use it at night or during periods of low solar energy output. 

But the usefulness of solar batteries doesn’t stop there. These feats of contemporary technology also allow excess power to be exported and sold. This not only stabilises the grid, but allows savvy homeowners and businesses the opportunity to make money from the solar energy they feed into it.

You might imagine, then, that solar batteries come in various sizes and types, ranging from small batteries for portable solar power systems to large-scale batteries for commercial solar installations.

What should I consider when choosing a solar battery?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a battery for solar, such as battery capacity, depth of discharge, cycle life, and cost. Let’s take a closer look at each factor.

Battery capacity

Battery capacity is the amount of energy a battery can store, and it is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The higher the battery capacity, the more solar energy it can store. According to the Australian Government’s energy rating website, the average household consumes about 20kWh per day. Therefore, a battery with a capacity of 10-20kWh is suitable for most households. However, larger households or those with high energy consumption may require a battery with a higher capacity.

Depth of discharge

The depth of discharge (DOD) is the amount of battery capacity used during each cycle. The higher the DOD, the more energy a battery can provide, but this can also reduce its lifespan. The ideal DOD for most batteries is between 50% to 80%. According to the Clean Energy Council, the DOD of most batteries ranges from 80% to 100%.

Cycle life

Cycle life refers to the number of times a battery can be charged and discharged before its performance begins to degrade. Most batteries have a cycle life of between 3,000 to 6,000 cycles. However, some batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, have a higher cycle life of up to 10,000 cycles.

Cost

The cost of a solar battery varies depending on the type, size, and capacity. The average cost of a solar battery in Australia ranges from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the battery’s capacity and type. Lead-acid batteries are the most affordable option, while lithium-ion batteries are more expensive but have a longer lifespan.

When choosing the best solar battery for your needs, it’s important to weigh up the issue of short-term cost vs. long-term savings. While a lower-quality product may be more affordable in the short-term, this product is unlikely to win you back the long-term savings that other higher-quality models can achieve.

With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular, hand-selected solar batteries we stock at G Store.

What types of solar batteries are available?

At G Store, we do the hard work for you – hand-selecting and stocking a refined range of quality solar batteries that you can be certain will do all the heavy lifting for you.

Here are our most highly recommended products:

Tesla Powerwall

The Tesla Powerwall is one of the most popular and recognizable solar batteries in the market. It is a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that is designed to store excess solar energy and provide backup power in case of grid outages.

One of the main selling points of the Tesla Powerwall is its high energy density. It has a storage capacity of up to 13.5 kWh, making it suitable for larger households or businesses with high energy consumption. The Powerwall also features a sleek and modern design that can be wall-mounted, making it easy to install and maintain. Additionally, the Powerwall is equipped with Tesla’s proprietary software that optimizes the energy storage and usage, making it highly efficient.

You can learn more about the Tesla Powerwall here.

Enphase IQ Battery 5

The Enphase IQ Battery 5 is another incredible solar battery option.

Supremely compact and lightweight, this lithium-ion battery is designed to work seamlessly with Enphase’s incredible micro-inverter technology. 

The IQ Battery 5 is highly flexible and can be configured to suit a wide range of energy storage needs. It has a storage capacity of up to 3.5 kWh and, given its flexible and modular design, can be stacked in up to 10 units for larger energy storage requirements.

One of the best features of the Enphase IQ Battery 5 is its compatibility with the Enphase micro-inverter system. This ensures that the battery is highly efficient and can be easily integrated with existing solar panel systems. Additionally, the battery is equipped with Enphase’s premium monitoring software, which provides real-time insights and management of energy usage – a huge plus.

You can learn more about the Enphase IQ Battery 5 here.

Sonnen Solar Battery

The Sonnen Solar Battery is a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that is designed to provide reliable and uninterrupted power to households and businesses. 

Available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 4 kWh to 16 kWh, this particular solar battery is flexible, adaptable and suitable for a wide range of energy storage needs. The Sonnen solar battery is also equipped with an intelligent energy management system that optimises energy usage and storage for your home or business.

A leading characteristic of the Sonnen Solar Battery is its high cycle life. The battery is designed to last up to 10,000 cycles, which is significantly higher than most other solar batteries in the market. 

The Sonnen Solar Battery also features a modular and scalable design that allows users to easily expand the energy storage capacity as their needs grow. What’s more, the Sonnen solar battery is equipped with Sonnen’s proprietary software, which provides real-time monitoring and management of energy usage.

You can learn more about the Sonnen solar battery here.

If you’re not sure where to start with selecting the best solar battery for your specific needs and interests, our award-winning solar team can help – don’t worry, it’s what we do best!

Just give us a call today on 1300 137 567 to get started. 

Wrapping up

Are you ready to find a solar battery that’s best-suited to your specific interests and needs? 

Check out our Learning Centre for further info, or give our friendly sales team a call today on 1300 137 567 for your obligation-free consultation.

We can’t wait to meet you.