Solar power is one of the most basic clean, renewable energy forms. Solar energy can be created by either solar cells or solar panels (or both). When sunlight strikes a solar cell, the light energy is converted to electric power, which can be used for whatever purpose.

But, can you store solar energy? You may ask.

Yes, you can store solar energy, and we will tell you how.

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How Do You Store Solar Energy?

You can store solar energy in a battery. A battery is a device that can store electric energy and be used to power an appliance. A battery can be a lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or any other battery.

A solar cell can produce electric energy when sunlight strikes it. The electric power produced can be used for various purposes.

To store solar energy, we need to convert the electric power produced into a form that can be stored in a battery.

How Do Solar Batteries Work with Solar Panels?

To understand how solar batteries work with solar panels to store energy, we must learn how solar panels work to produce energy.

Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight and converting it into electric energy. This process is called photovoltaic.

And then, this energy is used to produce electricity which charges a battery. When the battery is charged, it stores the electricity produced by the solar panel. The stored electricity can be used to power an appliance at any time.

How Do I Know Which Solar Battery Is Good?

As you have learned how solar energy can be stored, you may want to buy a solar battery, but how do you know which one is best?

So, to pick the best solar battery to store solar energy, here are some factors that you would want to consider:

Battery capacity – kWh
Technology
Charging/discharging current
Lifecycle depth of discharge (dod)
Smart grid trading
Monitoring
ACvs DC battery systems
Powercut supply
Warranty

Here we described them below.

1. Battery Capacity kWh:

The capacity of the battery is measured in kWh, kilowatt-hours. The larger the battery capacity, the more energy can be stored in it. A higher capacity means a longer lifetime.

The battery capacity indicates the amount of energy that can be stored in the battery.

It is recommended that you go for a battery with a battery capacity of at least 10kWh.

That is the minimum capacity for most homes.

A 20kWh battery will be sufficient for a family of 5. A 30kWh battery will be sufficient for a family of 7.

If you have a large family and you are living in a rural area, you may need a 40kWh battery.

2. Technology:

Battery technology is the most important factor in determining the battery life. In addition, battery technology determines the efficiency of the battery.

There are two main types of battery technology. These are the lithium-ion and lead-acid.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery, and they are used for a lot of applications. This is because lithium-ion batteries are very energy efficient and they have a very long lifespan.

3. Charging/Discharging Current:

The charging/discharging current determines the maximum amount of power that can be drawn from the battery. The higher the current, the faster the battery will charge.

The charging/discharging current is measured in amperes (A). The higher the current, the faster the battery will charge and the higher the energy efficiency of the battery.

It is recommended that you go for a battery with a charging/discharging current of at least 2A.

4. Lifetime Depth of Discharge (DOD):

The lifetime depth of discharge (DOD) is a very important factor in determining the life of the battery. The higher the lifetime depth of discharge (DOD), the longer the battery will last.

Households in the UK and Europe are typically looking for a lifetime depth of discharge (DOD) of 80%.

5. Smart Grid Trading:

The smart grid trading indicates whether the battery is compatible with the smart grid. The smart grid is a system which can collect, store and transmit solar energy.

It is recommended that you go for a battery which has smart grid trading.

6. Monitoring:

Monitoring is the most important factor in determining the life of the battery. Therefore, it is recommended that you go for a battery with a built-in battery monitoring system.

Having this feature lets you see the energy usage in daily life, whether the battery is charging or not, and how much the current state of charge is.

7. AC vs DC Battery Systems:

There are two basic types of battery installation systems; AC and DC. An AC-coupled solar battery system directly connects the solar panels to the inverter, while a DC-coupled system has the solar panels connected to a transformer.

While an AC-coupled system allows your solar panels to directly feed into your batteries, a DC-coupled system is more efficient at converting the power of your solar panels to electric energy.

8. Powercut Supply:

The powercut supply indicates how the battery can be used in a power cut. Therefore, it is recommended that you go for a battery with a powercut supply.

A powercut supply is a safety feature that enables the battery to continue to supply power to the solar system even when the power is out.

9. Warranty:

Like any other product, the warranty is a critical factor in determining the life of the solar battery.

The more extended the warranty, the longer the battery will last.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, solar energy is one of the most sustainable and renewable forms of energy. Solar batteries can store solar energy for later use. Having a solar storage will help you save money on your energy bills, so it’s good to consider adding one to your home.

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