What is a solar battery?
A solar battery stores excess energy generated from solar panels. This stored energy can be used at night to power appliances.
Kevin, a Brighte customer, installed batteries with his solar system and said: "being able to store energy during the day, and use it at night means you are not at the mercy of your electricity provider"
What are the benefits of having a solar battery?
By having a solar battery, you are less reliant on the grid network, often resulting in smaller energy bills as you utilise energy generated from your solar system first.
What is the difference between a hybrid system and an off-grid system?
A hybrid system remains connected to the main electricity grid, so is able to utilise energy from the grid once the power generated from the solar system has been depleted.
An off-grid system, or a stand-alone system, has no connection to the main electricity grid - all of the home's power comes from its solar system and battery. Off-grid systems are typically larger than hybrid systems as the requirements are generally greater.
As a backup, some off-grid systems have a generator that can be utilised if there is a greater demand for power.
Battery information
Talk to your solar installer about the below factors to help determine which solar battery would best suit your household needs.
- Rated apparent AC power (kVA)
- Nominal battery capacity (kWh)
- Depth of discharge
- Usable capacity (kWh)
- Min operating temp
- Max operating temp
The three most common solar battery types are lithium-ion, lead-acid and flow batteries.
How long does a solar battery last?
The length of time your solar battery lasts will depend on a myriad of factors, so it's best to speak to your installer for information that's relevant to you. Brighte tip: Check your warranty.
How would I dispose of a solar battery?
When the time comes to replace your battery, choose a responsible company to come and collect the battery - see more information here. We have also created a guide on the life and disposal of a battery.
Are batteries safe?
This is a common question. The Clean Energy Council have resources available that cover the considerations of owning a solar battery and important safety information. See their battery guide here.