Solar PV systems have become increasingly popular amongst Victorian homeowners and households, offering a vastly more sustainable and cost-effective way to generate electricity than fossil fuels.

However, in order to maximise the benefits of your solar panels and ensure uninterrupted power supply for you and your household, it’s essential to consider adding solar battery storage facility to your setup. Solar batteries are incredible – they help you store, use and export additional solar energy so you get the most from the system in which you put so much faith.

But how do you determine the right size for your solar battery? In this handy guide, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting the ideal solar battery size for your household – and help you understand how to make that decision confidently.

Ready? Let’s get started.

The key consideration for solar battery size

Selecting an appropriately sized solar battery involves several crucial factors that you’ll need to consider. Let’s dive into each of these to help you make a more informed decision about which battery could be right for you.

Here’s what to think about:

Why do you want to install a solar battery?

The very first (and most critical) step in determining your ideal solar battery size is identifying your motive or reason for adding that solar battery to your current solar system. Of course, different homeowners have different reasons for investing in solar batteries, such as:

Maximising savings
Obtaining backup power for the household
Joining a Virtual Power Plant program so you can store, export and sell the excess power you generate

What are your patterns of electricity use?

Understanding your household’s electricity consumption is another vital factor in determining the appropriate battery size.

On average, most Victorian households use around 16 kWh of electricity per day. Typically, about one-third of this consumption (approximately 5.33 kWh) occurs during daylight hours – the times, of course, when solar panels do their best generation of electricity. The remaining two-thirds is sourced from the grid. To cover this grid usage, it’s simple to see that a battery with a capacity of at least 10 kWh is likely the best fit.

What is your budget?

The cost of solar batteries varies depending on their capacity. As a rule of thumb, solar batteries are priced at approximately $800-1,000 per kWh. For instance, a 10 kWh battery would cost around $8-10,000, depending on rebates and incentives. Keep in mind that the Victorian state government’s recently announced Solar Battery Loans program provides loans of up to $8,800 interest-free to eligible customers. To find out if this program is for you, give our friendly solar team a call today on 1300 766 940.

Do you have a new solar system? Or, are you adding a battery to a legacy system?

Another significant factor that helps determine your solar battery sizing is whether you are installing a new solar panel and battery system or adding storage to an existing one. Generally, purchasing a complete, new solar system with panels and batteries is more cost-effective than retrofitting storage into an existing setup.

For brand-new panel and battery systems, using a solar panel and battery size calculator can simplify the process (call us on 1300 766 940 to ask about a reputable calculator). You’ll need to input your daily electricity usage and an estimate of when you use it. The calculator will then determine the suitable battery size for your needs.

For owners of an existing solar PV panel system, we suggest considering using a solar battery storage calculator to explore different battery sizes and their impact on savings and payback periods. This approach allows you to align the battery size with your current, most likely electricity usage habits and financial considerations.

Now, let’s look at some likely battery sizes based on the most common sizes of solar panel systems:

Battery size for a 5kW solar system – a case study

Let’s have a look at an example – that is, understanding what could likely be the “right” battery size for an existing 5kW solar system.

Whether you currently have a 5 kW solar system or plan on installing one, the battery size you and your household require depends on your electricity consumption during daylight hours and your goals.

A 5 kW solar power system typically generates between 17 to 21 kWh per day, depending on your location in Victoria. Like we’ve already explained above, for most homeowners, approximately two-thirds of this energy production (around 13 kWh) is sent back to the grid. However, this surplus energy could certainly be stored in a battery if you use around 50% of your power during daylight hours, making a slightly smaller 10 kWh battery sufficient for your needs.

What if I need a bigger battery?

Most solar batteries, and certainly the batteries we sell at G Store, are modular or scalable – this means that you can build your solar battery storage capacity according to your needs, interests and budget as they change.

It follows, therefore, that if you do indeed need a bigger battery, you should be able to purchase an additional battery to add storage capacity to your system.

What brands of Solar Battery Does G Store Sell?

At G Store, we’re proud to stock a range of quality, scalable and modular solar batteries with long warranty periods, including:

Each of these wonderful solar batteries has its specific benefits and advantages. To find out more, visit our website at the links above, or contact our friendly, award-winning team today on 1300 766 940 and we’ll talk you through it.

In summary, selecting the right size for your solar battery is essential for maximising your solar system’s benefits. By knowing your motives, electricity consumption, budget, and whether or not you have an existing system, you and your household can make a more informed decision regarding your needs.

Whether your aim is to save on electricity bills, ensure backup power, or maximise the way you use solar energy in your home, choosing the right battery size will be a significant step towards your goals.

Wrapping up

Ready for some tailored advice?

To learn more about our full range of trusted, quality solar battery storage systems, visit our Learning Centre or give our team a call today on 1300 766 940.

We can’t wait to chat with you.

What Size Solar Battery Do I need?

What brands of Solar Battery Does G Store Sell?

Wrapping up