Whole Home Battery Backup: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Battery storage represents a monumental leap forward for residential solar owners, unlocking new energy management and sustainability possibilities. To truly grasp the intricacies of battery storage, homeowners can find it helpful to draw parallels with a familiar everyday item: their cell phone battery.
To begin, consider your home battery storage system like a brand new cell phone, charged to its total 100% capacity. Like your phone, the home battery undergoes cycles of charging and discharging, aptly referred to as “charge cycles.” Each time your phone’s battery runs low and needs recharging, it completes a cycle, and over time, these cycles gradually reduce the battery’s overall capacity.
For instance, a typical lithium-ion cell phone battery has a 2-3 years lifespan, encompassing 300-500 charge cycles as specified by manufacturers. After this period, the battery’s capacity will decrease by approximately 20%. By examining the “depth of discharge” (the percentage of energy drained from the battery) alongside the number of discharge cycles, one can observe how the battery’s overall capacity declines with each cycle.
In essence, understanding home battery storage becomes more accessible when comparing it to the familiar workings of a cell phone battery. By recognizing the similarities in cycles, capacity, and lifespan, homeowners can better appreciate the nuances of solar energy storage, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their energy needs and management.
Comparing your home storage equipment warranty to your phone battery warranty
A manufacturer’s warranty is a promise made by the manufacturer or seller of a phone to repair or replace the phone if it develops certain problems within a specified period of time after purchase. The warranty terms, including what is covered and for how long, vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific phone model.
With your home battery storage system, your equipment will come with a standard manufacturer’s warranty to protect you from any faulty equipment or issues that arise within the first few years. During the time of installation, you can also have it covered under a Solar Insure 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty. Having this additional protection can help with battery repairs, parts and labor, as well as a complete replacement if your battery falls below 50% capacity in years 11-20.
In general, most battery storage manufacturers only cover the equipment for 10 years or above 70% capacity.
How often do battery storage systems need to be replaced on a residential solar system?
The lifespan of a residential solar system’s lithium-ion battery can vary depending on the specific battery technology, manufacturer, usage, and manufacturer specifications. Lithium-ion batteries used for solar energy storage generally have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. Some high-quality batteries might last even longer, up to 20 years.
Battery degradation is a natural process that occurs over time as the battery goes through charge and discharge cycles. As the battery degrades, its storage capacity and performance will decline.
To maximize the lifespan of your battery storage system, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for usage, specifications, and temperature management. Regular inspections and monitoring can also help to identify any issues early on and ensure the system operates efficiently.
If a battery storage system is used in a way that is outside of its design specifications, it may need to be replaced sooner than expected. In general, it is a good idea to plan for the eventual replacement of a battery storage system as part of the overall lifecycle management of the system.
How can offering battery storage help solar installation companies grow?
Offering battery storage as a part of a solar installation package, especially now as batteries are financially incentivized, can help solar companies grow in several ways:
Increased customer satisfaction: Many customers are interested in having a battery storage system as part of their solar installation so that they can use the stored solar energy when the sun is not shining. By offering battery storage, solar companies can provide a more comprehensive and attractive package to their customers.
Increased revenue: Installing a battery storage system can be a significant upsell for solar companies, as it can add thousands of dollars to the total cost of a solar installation. This can lead to increased revenue for the company.
Enhanced reputation: By offering cutting-edge technology like battery storage, solar companies can enhance their reputation as forward-thinking and innovative companies, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and more referrals.
Diversified service offering: Offering battery storage can help solar companies diversify their service offerings and reduce their reliance on the solar installation market, which can be subject to fluctuations due to factors like weather and policy changes.
Ability to participate in new markets: Some markets, such as those with high electricity prices or those with incentives for energy storage, maybe more attractive for solar companies that offer battery storage.
What are the benefits for homeowners of adding battery storage to their solar installation?
Adding a battery storage system to your solar system along with a Solar Insure 20-year monitoring and warranty can provide several benefits, including:
Energy independence and reliability: A battery allows you to store excess solar energy for use during peak demand periods, at night, or during power outages. This enhances your energy independence and provides a reliable source of power.
Cost savings: By using stored solar energy during peak demand times, you can avoid higher electricity rates and reduce your utility bills. In some cases, you might be eligible for time-of-use pricing or net metering programs that provide additional cost savings.
Financial incentives: As of January 2023, homeowners can receive an uncapped 30% tax credit for a battery storage installation. The average tax credit will be around $5,400, depending on the size of the system.
Increased property value: According to NREL, your property value increases by $20 for every $1 you save on energy bills. Homes with solar storage systems are often more attractive to potential buyers, as they offer energy independence, cost savings, and environmental benefits. This can increase the property’s value and make it easier to sell in the future.
Peace of mind with warranty coverage: A 20-year monitoring and warranty from Solar Insure offer long-term protection for your battery storage system. This coverage ensures that any issues with the system are promptly addressed, minimizing downtime and maintaining optimal performance.
Environmental benefits: A solar storage system helps reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and lowers your carbon footprint. By using clean, renewable solar energy, you contribute to a more sustainable future.
How can adding Solar Insure 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty provide a competitive edge?
Solar Insure’s unique 20-year Battery Monitoring and Warranty is a game changer for homeowners. What is included: Monitoring software that supports installers in staying on top of service calls and claims processing, parts, labor, $0 deductible for covered claims, and battery replacement below 50% capacity between years 11 and 20.
What Battery Manufacturers are on the Solar Insure AVL?
While the list of batteries covered under the Solar Insure 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty continues to expand, below is an introduction to some of the battery manufacturers covered under our AVL. You can find an up-to-date list of batteries covered by going to our Approved Vendor List here.
Tesla Powerwall
Tesla Powerwall is an integrated battery system that stores your solar energy for backup protection, so when the grid goes down, your power stays on. Your system detects outages and automatically recharges with sunlight to keep your appliances running for days. There are several factors that make Tesla’s battery storage systems unique.
High energy density: Tesla’s battery cells have a high energy density, meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small space. This makes them ideal for use in battery storage systems, as it allows for a compact design.
Long lifespan: Tesla’s battery cells are designed to last for a long time, with a projected lifespan of over a decade in many applications. This makes them a good choice for use in battery storage systems, as they will not need to be replaced as frequently as other lead-acid batteries that would typically be put in an internal combustion engine vehicle.
High efficiency: Tesla’s battery cells are highly efficient, meaning that they are able to convert a high percentage of the energy they store into usable power. This makes them a good choice for use in battery storage systems, as it means that less energy is lost during the charging and discharging process.
Advanced control and monitoring: Tesla’s battery storage systems come with advanced control and monitoring systems that allow users to closely monitor and manage the performance of their batteries. This can be useful for optimizing the use of the battery storage system and ensuring that it is operating at its best.
Sustainable materials: Tesla’s battery cells are made with sustainable materials, such as lithium-ion, which are less harmful to the environment than other types of batteries. This makes them a more environmentally friendly choice for use in battery storage systems.
What is the cost of replacing a Tesla battery?
One question that gets asked often is the cost of replacing a Tesla battery. The cost depends on several factors, and the price can range between $9,200 and $14,200. For homeowners with Solar Insure’s 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty, the cost to replace your battery is zero for covered claims under 50% capacity from years 11-20.
Generac
Generac is a manufacturer of a range of power generation equipment, including battery storage systems. Some features that may make Generac battery storage systems unique include the following:
Scalability: Generac offers a range of battery storage systems with different capacity options, allowing customers to choose a system that meets their specific energy needs.
Compatibility: Generac battery storage systems are designed to be compatible with a variety of renewable energy sources, including solar panels and wind turbines.
Reliability: Generac is a well-established and trusted brand in the power generation industry, and its battery storage systems are designed to be reliable and durable.
Ease of installation: Generac battery storage systems are designed to be easy to install, with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions.
Advanced features: Some Generac battery storage systems come with advanced features, such as remote monitoring and control, to allow customers to manage their energy usage and optimize their system’s performance.
It’s important to note that there are many other factors to consider when choosing a battery storage system, including cost, performance, and specification requirements. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and compare different products before making a decision.
Enphase Energy
Enphase Energy manufactures and sells a variety of energy storage products, including battery systems for residential and commercial use. Some of the key features of Enphase’s battery storage systems include:
Modular design: Enphase’s battery systems are made up of individual battery modules that can be added or removed as needed, allowing for flexible and scalable energy storage.
High efficiency: Enphase’s battery systems are designed to be highly efficient, with round-trip efficiency ratings of up to 95%. This means that they are able to convert a high percentage of the energy they store into usable power.
Advanced monitoring and control: Enphase’s battery systems come with a cloud-based monitoring and control platform that allows users to track their energy usage, set up alerts, and control their system remotely.
Safety: Enphase’s battery systems are designed with safety in mind, featuring a range of protective measures to prevent fires, explosions, and other hazards.
Compatibility: Enphase’s battery systems are compatible with a wide range of solar panels and inverters, making them easy to integrate into existing solar energy systems.
Durability: Enphase’s battery systems are built to last, with a projected lifespan of up to 10 years, with minimal maintenance required.
Overall, Enphase’s battery storage systems are known for their flexibility, efficiency, and advanced features, making them a popular choice for residential and commercial energy storage.
Panasonic
Panasonic is a leading manufacturer of battery storage systems for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Some of the unique features of their battery storage systems include:
High energy density: Panasonic’s battery cells have a high energy density, meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small space. This makes them ideal for use in battery storage systems where space is limited.
Long lifespan: Panasonic’s battery cells are designed to last for many years, with a lifespan of up to 20 years in some cases. This means that their battery storage systems can provide reliable, long-term energy storage for a variety of applications.
Advanced safety features: Panasonic’s battery cells are equipped with advanced safety features to protect against overcharging, overheating, and other potential hazards. This ensures that their battery storage systems are safe and reliable.
Versatility: Panasonic’s battery storage systems are versatile and can be customized to meet the specific needs of different applications. They are available in a range of sizes and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
Overall, Panasonic’s battery storage systems are known for their high performance, reliability, and safety, making them a popular choice for a wide range of energy storage applications.
SolarEdge
SolarEdge specializes in the production of photovoltaic inverters and energy storage systems for solar panels. The company’s battery storage systems are designed to be used in combination with solar panels to allow households and businesses to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low solar production.
SolarEdge inverters are designed to optimize the performance of solar panels by maximizing the energy output of each panel and enabling the panels to operate at their maximum efficiency. By pairing a SolarEdge inverter with a SolarEdge battery storage system, users can take advantage of the enhanced performance of their solar panels and also have the ability to store excess solar energy for later use.
Another unique feature of SolarEdge battery storage systems is their modular design. These systems are made up of individual battery modules that can be added or removed as needed, allowing users to scale their energy storage capacity up or down based on their needs. This flexibility makes SolarEdge battery storage systems well-suited for use in a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Overall, SolarEdge battery storage systems offer a combination of compatibility with SolarEdge inverters, modular design, and high performance that make them a unique and appealing option for those looking to add energy storage to their solar panel systems.
Sonnen
Sonnen is a German company that specializes in the design and manufacture of advanced battery storage systems for residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. The company’s battery storage systems are designed to enable users to store excess solar energy and use it later, allowing them to reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on their energy bills.
One unique aspect of Sonnen battery storage systems is that they are designed to be scalable and modular, meaning they can be customized to meet the specific needs of the user. The systems are also designed to be easily expandable, allowing users to add additional battery modules as their energy needs grow.
Sonnen also emphasizes the sustainability and environmental benefits of its battery storage systems. The company claims that its systems are made with recyclable materials and have a long lifespan, making them a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources.
Additionally, Sonnen offers a range of services and support options for its battery storage systems, including remote monitoring and manufacturer specifications, as well as a customer service team that is available to assist users with any questions or issues they may have.
Solar Insure 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty
No matter what battery you choose, if the manufacturer is on our AVL and you have the 20-Year Battery Monitoring and Warranty, you can rest assured you’re in great hands. Solar Insure’s core passions lie in renewable energies and the potential for transforming the world by slowing down climate change and fostering energy independence. We do so by being committed to customers and delivering the best customer service. For over 15 years, our mission has been to protect consumer investments in solar and accelerate the transition to renewable energies.
Home battery storage is moving from an exotic feature of the homes of the wealthy to a more mainstream option for any home with solar panels, incentivized by a new 30% federal tax credit. But If you think of batteries primarily as a backup technology, you're missing the main way to justify their cost: saving money on energy every day.
The new garage occupant: Home batteries can be installed indoors or out, but many will install in their garage alongside their car-charging connector.
Hands-on with home batteries
ZDNet's recent roundup of the best home battery systems inspired me to visit a home battery installation in the San Francisco Bay Area where a Generac PWRcell system was being mounted inside the garage by Northern California installer Rob Heckendorn of Future Energy Savers. The system was fed by the home's existing rooftop solar panels, something you can't do with Tesla Powerwall home batteries, which must be combined with its specific solar roof tech.
The Generac system is modular, allowing the homeowner to add batteries in 3kWh increments up to 18kWh in a single battery cabinet housing. In this case, they chose three modules for a total of 12kWh of capacity, a number Heckedorn says is as close to an average as he sees and enough power to run three or four of the home's dozen circuits for a few days.
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Think beyond blackouts
But thinking of batteries in terms of blackout coverage creates a blind spot: Yes, the US may have more power outages than other developed countries, but they remain rare. A better priority is to spec your battery system for "rate arbitrage" to save money and be more green every day.
The idea is simple: Store excess free energy from your rooftop in your batteries rather than selling it back to a utility that doesn't like the idea and offers a pittance. Instead, use that stored energy later in the day during peak times to avoid the highest electricity rates while also doing your part to take strain off the grid. It's the missing piece that makes residential rooftop solar a more comprehensive proposition.
Some of that elegance will depend on you having a large enough solar system to charge your batteries at a healthy clip, living in a home that has plenty of sun and being a customer of a utility that forces your hand with controversial time-of-use electricity rates.
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What does it cost?
Saving money on energy every day is important because home battery storage isn't cheap. As a rule of thumb expect a typical home battery install to cost about as much as a full-size solar install, perhaps $20,000 to $25,000. Calculating the earn-back on that via daily savings is complicated, so your home battery decision has to be based on your rough daily savings math, belief in the salesperson's more optimistic math and whatever value you place on having some power in a blackout. It may not be as straight a calculation as the earn-back on rooftop solar, but helping your decision should be a new 30% federal tax credit passed as part of the recent Inflation Reduction Act.
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This PWRcell cabinet can hold up to six battery modules for a total of 18kWh of capacity. A second cabinet can be added for a home maximum of 36kWh.
Generac, known mostly for generators, has recently started combining them with its home battery systems to do a better job of powering homes efficiently in some situations. If your sole focus is power during extended grid failures, an on-site generator by itself may still be your most straightforward option, at least until regulators ban all combustion-powered generators.
Generac recently began offering technology that allows its home batteries and home generators to hand off to each other seamlessly. There remains wisdom in getting a generator, especially if you want to be grandfathered in before regulations may ban them.
Charging your electric car
Focused on charging your EV? Temper that: Most home battery systems hold much less than an EV battery, so you might get a small charge for your car if you want to leave something in the batteries to keep part of your house running. This is another case where looking into an installed home generator, with or without home batteries, makes the most sense.
Focus on the warranty
As with any expensive new energy technology, pay attention to warranty coverage. Most home battery brands have a 10-year warranty but as with cars, there's also a usage component that can modify that duration. As you can see, that usage component varies by maker, so an apples-to-apples comparison is impossible:
- Generac: 10 years, 7.56 megawatt hours of throughput
- Tesla: 10 years, 70% battery retention
- Enphase: 10 years, 7,300 fully discharged cycles, 80% retention
If you've installed home solar, you're probably familiar with the concepts you need to know to shop for home batteries, but the factors are more nuanced and the value you place on peace of mind in a blackout is intangible.