The market for home energy storage options like the Tesla Powerwall has taken off in recent years, and costs are falling quickly. Many homeowners and businesses are thinking about adding a battery backup to their solar panel system.
The benefits of a home battery can be significant, especially if you have solar: you can use more solar energy onsite, or save it to use as backup power in the event that the grid goes down. If you are on time-of-use (TOU) rates for your electricity or pay monthly demand charges, you can even save money by using power from your battery when rates are high.
How difficult is it to add a backup battery to your solar panel system?
The level of difficulty associated with adding a battery depends on whether your solar panel system was designed with the intention of adding energy storage later on.
If you have a so-called “storage ready” system, you already have an inverter that can easily integrate a battery into your solar panel setup. In this situation, a battery is relatively simple to install, and the installation process won’t require much additional equipment.
If your solar panel system was not originally designed with the ability to add storage later, the installation will be slightly more complicated. In this scenario, you have two options: an AC coupled solution, or an inverter replacement.
AC coupled solution
If you choose an alternating current (AC) coupled solution, your battery will be installed with a separate inverter that is integrated into your home’s energy system.
If you install an AC coupled solution, you can keep your solar system’s existing inverter, which can save money up front. You can also be more flexible in terms of the size of your battery, relative to your solar panel system. However, choosing an AC coupled solution does result in some efficiency loss over time.
Most buildings use AC power, but your solar panel system produces electricity in direct current (DC) power. When your solar panels’ inverter converts the DC power to useful AC power, there is a small amount of electricity that is lost in the conversion process. If you install an AC coupled battery backup system, there are additional conversion steps. As a result, AC coupled systems are less efficient than systems with a single inverter.
Inverter replacement/DC coupled solution
The alternative to an AC coupled solution is to replace your existing solar inverter with one that works with a battery. String inverters need to be replaced every 10 years or so, so if you have a solar panel system that’s at least five years old, you may want to think about swapping your existing inverter for an all-in-one solar and storage inverter option.
The primary benefit of a DC coupled solution is that your system will be more efficient – that is, it will lose less of the energy your solar panels produce during the conversion process. However, this option will be more expensive upfront. Replacing your inverter to accommodate a battery can result in additional costs associated with system redesign and rewiring. However, the exact costs will always depend on your current system and the installer you’re working with.
To learn more about the differences between AC and DC coupled batteries, check out this blog.
What solar batteries are compatible with your panels?
While there are some exceptions to the rule, most solar batteries designed for small-scale use are compatible with existing solar panel systems. The battery that you choose for your home or business depends on your reason for installing an energy storage system.
Most batteries cannot take your home fully off the grid to the point where you sever your connection with your utility – they simply don’t have enough storage capacity to power your home for days on end in the event of an extended bout of cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather. If you want to go off-grid with solar, you’ll need much more storage capacity than most common lithium-ion batteries can provide. One solution? Stack multiple batteries together to make a larger battery bank.
If your primary goal is to have a few hours of backup power in the event of a power outage, a larger battery like the Sonnen eco will best serve your needs. However, if your utility has TOU rates or demand charges, and your goal is to reduce grid electricity consumption when rates are high, you can choose a smaller battery like the Enphase Encharge.
Every energy storage project is different. If you want to add a backup battery to your existing solar panel system, make sure to share the specifics of your system, your electricity use, and your storage objectives with your installer to determine what kind of system is the best fit for your home.
How much does the installation labor cost for a backup battery?
Adding a battery to your solar panel system is a relatively simple process in terms of installation. You can think of installing a battery as more of an electrical project, rather than a roofing project like with solar panels.
When your solar panel system was installed, your installer likely brought in an installation crew to work on your roof. By comparison, batteries are installed on the ground, usually in a garage. With fewer people needed to complete the installation and simpler logistics, you’re likely looking at a smaller installation charge than for your panels.
Assuming that your solar panel system is in good working order and there are no major upgrades to be made, the labor cost to add a battery shouldn’t be more than a thousand dollars (of course, this depends on the hourly cost of an electrician in your area). If you are also replacing your inverter as part of the installation, the job will take longer and cost more.
Who should you contact if your installer doesn’t install storage?
Energy storage is growing in popularity, but it still isn’t as common today as solar. Many, but not all, solar installers will install batteries. If you contact your installer and are told that they don’t offer energy storage, you have a few options:
Ask your installer for a recommendation.
Chances are good that you aren’t the first customer who has asked your installer about storage. They are the first place you should go to find out about other companies that offer storage options in your area.
Look for referrals from friends, family, or neighbors.
Referrals are one of the most common ways that property owners find an installer for a solar panel system. If you know anybody else who has installed solar (or even better, has installed a battery), ask them for their recommendation. Even if your installer doesn’t offer energy storage, somebody else’s installer will!
Find an installer through battery manufacturers’ networks
If you know what type of solar battery you want, you can often go directly to the manufacturer and ask them to help you find an installer. Most battery manufacturers for home storage systems have their own network of installers that are trained to work with their equipment.
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