Solar batteries are making it possible for households and commercial properties to save on their utility bills while contributing to improving the environment. As the technology aims to salvage the sun’s energy, solar batteries ensure you have power available at the flick of the switch. In fact, with more options for solar power units available, it’s becoming possible to opt for a unit that aligns with your energy needs, space availability, and budget without compromising on quality or performance.
Solar energy storage systems like solar batteries offer an easy and practical way to store solar energy for later use. Due to this, it is essential that you opt for a solar battery system that aligns with your energy goals without having to take on the responsibility of additional care and maintenance needs. It is often during this time when people end up making mistakes that not only make it difficult for them to utilize their solar batteries to their full potential but also impact their quality of life.
If you are planning to get a solar battery soon, the following are the mistakes to avoid.
A battery’s capacity indicates how long it can power your living space. If you end up with an undersized solar battery, it won’t be able to store enough energy to power essential appliances, leaving you to use energy with extreme caution and care.
It will also increase your reliance on the grid because the solar battery alone won't meet your energy requirements, eventually defeating the purpose of getting one in the first place.
On the other hand, an oversized battery will always have some capacity for unused power. Over time, this can damage the battery, and the set-up will fail to fetch a return on investment as you will not be fully using the energy units produced and stored.
Your region’s climatic conditions and weather have a significant impact on the capacity of solar batteries you will need. A 10kW battery is usually enough to power a home in case of power outages.
To avoid paying peak utility prices, you can consider opting for 2-3 solar batteries, as they can comfortably keep your living space powered while minimizing the worries of higher power bills.
However, if going completely off-grid is something you are planning to achieve, getting about 10-12 batteries (depending on how large or small your living space is) should be sufficient.
Cutting costs by opting for a cheap solar battery will initially seem like a great investment, but as days pass, the solar battery can fail to withstand your daily requirements. Besides, a cheap solar battery may also put your safety at risk.
These batteries are often made with low-quality materials, resulting in shorter lifespans and reduced performance over time.
There will also be higher discharge as the materials deteriorate, posing a risk of fire or explosion in the worst cases. Aside from these risks, low-quality batteries can also negatively impact the performance and efficiency of other components of the solar power unit.
Several problems can arise due to improper installation of solar batteries. For instance, if the solar batteries are not correctly installed, they cannot be charged fully or appropriately discharged, causing a significant reduction in energy output.
If the wiring is incorrectly done, there’s also an increased risk of electrical hazards. Besides, an improper installation can also damage the battery cells, leading to reduced storage capacity and premature failure in the worst cases.
There’s also a higher scope of inconsistent power supplies, leading to frequent fluctuations in voltage and current, damaging your electrical appliances.
Most solar batteries come with a warranty to give users peace of mind if the battery breaks down or needs repair work. To ensure you can use the warranty in full effect, spend time understanding the terms and conditions mentioned in the warranty documents.
This step is important as not all warranties are made the same. Knowing the extent of coverage, conditions, and terms will help determine if the investment in the product is worth it or not.
Registering the warranty within a certain period is necessary to ensure it doesn’t run void and your solar batteries are covered under warranty.
Opting to harness solar power is an effective way to get off the grid in the most sustainable way possible. However, to achieve this goal, it is crucial that you pay attention to the solar batteries you are opting for. This is primarily because solar batteries are responsible for storing electricity units, and a poor-quality or improperly maintained battery can make it challenging to achieve your energy goals while also increasing your expenses due to repair requirements.
