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As of March 2024, Australia continues to lead globally in solar adoption, boasting the highest uptake of solar energy among nations worldwide. Approximately 30% of households in Australia have installed rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. According to recent data, surpassing statistics from November 9, 2021, over 3.5 million rooftop solar PV systems now illuminate homes and businesses across the country, showcasing a significant increase in solar installations over the past few years.

This trend has led to an increase of the demand for solar battery storage systems as more Australians are looking to take the next step in their solar journey and adopt a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Solar batteries provide some significant benefits to residential and commercial solar systems and are becoming a consideration for those looking to install solar.

 

 

 

What is a solar battery and how it works?

Solar batteries are simply a storage that allows your unused solar electricity to be saved for later use, rather than sent back to the grid. They store the excess electricity generated from a panel array, boosting energy capacity and making power available for use at night time or on cloudy days when your system isn’t generating electricity. It gives you greater control over your everyday energy uses and supply.

See the below video to get an easy guide to the basics of how battery storage systems work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-Cl3Sx86I&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=EnergyQueensland

 

Pros and Cons of installing a solar battery

Once you understand what a solar battery is and how it works in solar energy systems along with solar panels, you may now wonder if installing batteries is a good investment. As with everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at some of the top pros and cons of implementing a solar battery system.

Repairing solar panels

 

Pros

  • Independence of your energy

Utilising a Solar battery means you will benefit from independence in your energy usage. You will no longer need to rely on energy companies to provide you with energy in times when solar is not available.

  • Protects you from outages

You may have experienced a power outage at least once in your life. In this event, you can have assurance that your electrical appliances will continue to receive power supply from your backup power stored in the batteries despite the grid being down.

  • Better for the environment by reducing carbon footprint

Electricity from the grid is created by burning fossil fuels which produces CO2 emissions and greatly contributes to environmental issues. However, solar power is completely carbon-free. Having a solar energy storage system will reduce your carbon footprint significantly since you can get energy supply from your batteries rather than drawing power from the grid.

 

Cons

  • High cost

It is true that battery storage is quite expensive upfront and has a relatively long pay-back period, so it might not always make financial sense to install an energy storage system. Depending on your needs and goals, solar batteries can run from $2,000 to over $10,000. A solar installer can include this within your quote, and recommend a battery that meets your requirements in size and warranty.

  • Complexity

You may be concerned that designing and installing batteries on top of your solar PV system increases the complexity in management and the possibility of things going wrong. At the design and installation stage, it’s crucial to size the battery system correctly for the requirements, as well as placing in the right location considering many different factors.

  • Increased maintenance

Whereas solar PV systems are relatively easy to maintain, adding a battery system will increase maintenance requirements. However, it depends on the type of battery technology you are using. Although some types of batteries, like deep cycle lead-acid batteries, may need extra care to be taken, other more modern types of batteries such as lithium-ion are generally maintenance-free.

 

Choosing the right battery

Lithium Ion batteries are the leading technology for solar batteries due to their safety features, low maintenance and up to 15-year life expectancy. There are alternatives, but at the moment, Lithium-ion provides the most reliable package for solar system owners.

Solar batteries connect to your home through either AC or DC batteries. AC will connect directly to the switchboard and is typically used fitting to existing panel systems. DC Batteries will be connected through a hybrid solar inverter and is typically used when installed alongside a new solar panel system.

AC Coupled

DC Coupled

Solar Battery rebates

As mentioned above, the Australian Government offers generous solar battery rebates and incentives at a national and state level through various programs. With the implementation of such financial support, the current ROI on a battery-ready solar installation is approximately 2-3 years and is projected to be a more cost-effective solution with innovating battery technology on the solar market.

  • Victoria: Solar Homes Program

The Solar Homes Program is supporting eligible Victorian households to install a solar battery, by providing a point of sale discount up to a maximum of $4,174. Interest-free loans are not available under the solar battery rebate. For more information about this program, go to Solar Victorian.

  • New South Wales: Smart Home Battery Scheme

If you’re a homeowner in the Hills District of Sydney, the Smart Home Battery Scheme will save you up to $4,000 when you buy and install a solar power system and solar battery. There is also a solar battery loan offer that helps homeowners in the Hunter region access interest-free loans to install solar battery systems. Get more information here.

Should you invest in solar batteries in 2024?

In conclusion, while batteries can provide you a range of benefits that can ultimately save you money and contribute to a more sustainable environment, whether installing a solar battery system is going to be worth it or not really depends on various internal and external factors. To make the best decision that can be beneficial to your energy consumption and budget, you should assess your energy needs before investing in batteries. There’s no point buying more capacity than you can use—surplus electricity should instead be fed into the grid for a profit. Having a high-quality solar installation that fits your needs and budget and the surrounding environment will be also extremely crucial to increasing solar system efficiency and electricity savings.

Does it sound complicated and overwhelming? Tesla Electrical will provide you with a personalized guide as to when it is the right time to install battery technology and what products to use. In the meantime, we recommend having a solar Installation that is battery-ready using the technologies that we recommend on our products page.

Article Updated March 2024

 

What are our clients saying?

Julian Staveley
Julian Staveley
2020-08-19
I've worked for soooo many solar companies throughout the years and when it came to doing a solar system on my property I knew what to be looking for. I worked out a deal with Clayton to give him a hand on my system to make it a little bit cheaper and so I could make sure that none of those dirty shortcuts sales companies use to make jobs quicker and substandard were not going to happen on my system. I was suprised and even learned a few things off Clayton and his team that improved the system beyond my experience. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOUR ARE GOING TO GET ROOFTOP SOLAR GO STRAIGHT THROUGH AN ELECTRICIAN!!! Clayton's the man for any job.
Amanda Sztrajt
Amanda Sztrajt
2020-08-14
Came out on short notice and fixed an ongoing problem that was not sorted out by the last electrician. Very happy with the work and price.
Lauren McGloin
Lauren McGloin
2020-07-23
Teslar were great at explaining the process for the solar rebates, our best options for a two storey house and helped us along the way with the application process. The installation was done professionally with care and timeliness. Especially while our young family was home there. Thankyou for a great job
Malcolm Eames
Malcolm Eames
2020-06-25
Clayton did a very professional job with the installation of solar to our property. He advised us as to which system was best for our location and he carried out the work in an efficient and professional manner. He also made himself available after the installation to answer any queries that we may have had. I would have no hesitation in recommending him for future installations. Since installing our solar his has provided solar to both my sisters premises.
Ross Fuller
Ross Fuller
2015-09-22
Was very friendly and professional. Arrived on time and was thorough.
Ben Caneva
Ben Caneva
2015-09-22
Clayton was brilliant in getting our job done. Professional, friendly and exceptional quality of work. Would highly recommend Tesla to anyone looking for Electrical work. Thankyou
Alex Lankmiler
Alex Lankmiler
2014-10-03
Great service!
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