Solar Storage: Everything You Need to Know
Solar energy storage
Storing solar energy is essential to maximize the use of the energy produced by your solar panels. By capturing excess energy during periods of high production, you can use it when production is low or non-existent, such as at night or on cloudy days. This solution optimizes self-consumption and reduces dependence on the electricity grid and the kWh billed. Its installation is now easy thanks to ready-to-connect kits. Installing a battery kit is therefore an ally of choice to optimize the use of the electricity produced by your photovoltaic kit and protect yourself from future increases in electricity prices.
Batteries to store electricity
Solar batteries allow you to store the electricity produced by your solar panels for later use. They play a crucial role in optimizing self-consumption and reducing dependence on the electricity grid.
Lithium-ion storage system
Lithium-ion storage systems are popular due to their efficiency, long life, and ability to store large amounts of energy. They represent a reliable solution for users looking to maximize their energy independence.
Self-consumption of solar energy
The advantages of self-consumption
Self-consumption of solar energy has many benefits, such as lower electricity bills, reduced carbon footprint and increased energy independence. By using locally produced solar energy, you reduce the need to draw energy from the grid.
Installation of a solar kit for self-consumption
Installing a solar kit for self-consumption is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach. Solar kits are designed to be easy to install, allowing users to start producing and storing their own electricity quickly. This installation can include photovoltaic panels, batteries and an inverter.
Types of batteries for solar storage
Lead acid solar batteries
Lifespan of lead-acid solar batteries
Lead-acid solar batteries are known for their reliability and longevity. Their lifespan typically ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on usage and maintenance conditions.
Storage capacity of lead-acid batteries
The storage capacity of lead-acid batteries can vary considerably, offering flexible solutions for different energy needs. They are often used in solar storage systems due to their relatively low cost and availability.
Oscaro-Power Recommendation
Oscaro-Power does not recommend the use of lead batteries for self-consumption. Indeed, the numerous charge-discharge cycles found in self-consumption use (1 per day) greatly penalize the life of lead batteries.
For completely off-grid use, lead batteries are an interesting solution, as their cycling is much more modest.
Lithium-ion batteries for solar storage
Advantages of lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries offer several advantages over lead-acid batteries, including higher energy density, longer cycle life, and better charge/discharge efficiency.
Lithium-ion battery prices for solar storage
Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than lead-acid batteries, but their superior performance and long life make the investment worthwhile for many users.
Sizing solar storage
Calculation of storage capacity in kWh
The different factors to take into account
To calculate the storage capacity in kWh, it is important to take into account several factors, such as daily solar production, energy consumption and periods of low solar production.
Storage capacity based on electricity production
Storage capacity should be sized based on the electricity production of your solar panels. A careful analysis of production and consumption allows you to optimize storage capacity to meet energy needs. For example, a solar system producing 10 kWh per day will require a battery capable of storing this energy for use at night or during cloudy days.
Storage sizing based on consumption
Adapting storage to electrical consumption
It is crucial to match storage capacity to your household’s electricity consumption. Proper sizing ensures that you have enough stored energy to cover your energy needs, even during periods of low solar production.
Balancing energy production and consumption
Balancing energy production and consumption is essential to maximizing the efficiency of your solar system. By adjusting storage capacity based on these two factors, you can ensure a stable and reliable power supply.
Battery inverter
Hybrid inverter for lithium battery
Hybrid inverters for lithium-ion batteries are designed to optimize the integration of lithium batteries into a solar system. They enable intelligent management of battery charging and discharging, maximizing the efficiency of solar storage.
Hybrid inverter for lead battery
Hybrid inverters for lead-acid batteries offer a cost-effective solution for solar storage systems. They enable efficient use of lead-acid batteries while optimizing solar energy production.
Battery inverter for lithium battery
Specific inverters for lithium batteries ensure optimal compatibility and precise charge management, thus extending the life of lithium batteries.
Battery inverter for lead battery
Inverters dedicated to lead batteries ensure efficient use and easy maintenance of storage systems using lead-acid batteries.
Uninterruptible Power Supply Mode
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) inverters provide continuity of service during power outages, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for essential equipment. This mode is particularly useful for keeping critical home devices running, such as security systems and medical devices.
This mode can be integrated directly into the inverter, so the decoupling relays isolating your home from the electrical distribution network are directly integrated into the inverter. Another solution exists, for example Huawei offers an external box to the inverter (the backup box) this solution allows you to stage your project, the photovoltaic, then the storage and finally the uninterruptible power supply or back-up function.
Electrical protections required when using a battery
12V-24V-48V battery
The use of batteries of different voltages (12V, 24V, 48V) requires suitable electrical protections to prevent overloads, short circuits and ensure safe and efficient use of the storage system.
The low battery voltage requires high currents and therefore large cables and complex electrical protections to implement.
High voltage battery
High voltage batteries require specific protection measures to ensure their safety and reliability, including disconnect devices, fuses and advanced battery management systems.
Where to install your battery?
The location of your battery installation is crucial to ensure optimal performance and long life. It is recommended to place the battery in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area. Avoid areas exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity. Also, make sure the location is easily accessible for maintenance and regular inspections. Proper installation not only ensures safety but also the efficiency of solar energy storage.
