Solar Home Batteries

Solar batteries are one of the most misunderstood components of a solar system, since they really are not anything “solar” by themselves. Instead, a solar battery is used to hold any excess energy that has been generated, and becomes available for use when solar energy is not being produced. A solar battery is an important component in any residential solar system, especially if the home is run on solar power alone. The energy stored inside the battery is used during nighttime hours, and is also helpful during days where direct sunlight is not available.

The battery is connected to the photovoltaic cells through a charge controller and inverter, so it is responsible for storing solar energy that has already been converted to usable electricity. A solar battery can store up to about five days worth of usable electricity, but the storage size depends on the size of the battery as well as the age. Newer batteries are able to store more than older models, but the storage capacity of a solar battery can be easily jeopardized by using small amounts of energy from the battery on a regular basis.

The size of the battery needed will depend greatly on the electricity consumption of the home, as well as climate conditions and exposure to sunlight. Because a battery is also used as a backup plan for sunless days, it is important to purchase a battery large enough to store enough electricity for the home. A solar battery can also be used in homes that use electricity as their main source, since it can be used in the event of a blackout or power outage.