Solar Panel Battery Pack – Cost and Charging

If you are looking to install or use a solar panel system, you have probably come across or heard the discussion about solar batteries. In recent times, battery systems have become increasingly popular. Despite this, most homeowners or even car owners don't know a lot of details about them.

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A solar battery pack lets you store the energy produced by your solar panels for later use. When you pair solar panels with solar batteries, you will get to create a hybrid solar system which comes with a lot of advantages. The excess electricity will go into the battery instead of going to the grid. You get to store this backup energy for your devices while at the same time reducing your energy costs.

In this guide, we discuss all you need to know about a solar panel battery pack, the cost, and the charging requirements. 

Solar Panel Power Packs

A solar power pack is a low-maintenance and integrated system that consists of a solar charge controller and a grid charger. The packs always provide smart charging techniques (bulk, float, and absorption). The pack consists of a solar panel, solar regulator, an inverter, and a deep cycle solar battery. A solar regulator can also be referred to as a charge controller. It is used to regulate the current from the solar panels and prevent the batteries from overcharging. Most solar regulators have a low voltage disconnect feature that will switch off the supply to the load if the battery voltage falls below the cut-off voltage. Regulators are also beneficial as they prevent the battery from back-feeding into the solar panel at night, which can result in a flattened battery.

The solar panel power pack can be with direct current (DC) output to power Direct Current load or with an inverter of single-phase or three-phase output to power Alternating Current (AC) load. The solar panel power pack is a multi-function system that combines the functions of an inverter, solar charger, and battery charger. With such a system, you are guaranteed to get uninterrupted power support.

A deep cycle battery used in solar power systems is designed to discharge over a long period and recharge hundreds of times, unlike conventional batteries. These batteries should not be discharged 70% beyond their capacity as it will significantly reduce their life. The solar panel-powered pack is usually installed with a deep cycle battery or batteries. The solar system is off-grid as it is not connected to the utility power grid and is mostly used as a standalone unit. 

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The solar panel converts sunlight into Direct Current (DC) electricity to charge the batteries. This energy is fed to the battery via a solar regulator that ensures the battery is charged properly and safely. In case you have appliances that use AC, you will need to install an inverter between your solar panel and battery. The inverter will convert the DC electricity into AC (alternating current) to power your devices.

Solar Panel Battery Pack Cost

Installing a solar battery system is a great way to get the most value out of your solar panels. The batteries are an excellent source of backup power as they will increase your energy independence and save you money that you would have spent on electricity bills.

However, installing a solar battery system comes at a cost. Some people may find it on the expensive side, but if you live in an area that experiences widespread blackouts or frequent power outages, having a solar panel battery pack will be beneficial. Despite this concern, there is an upside as solar battery technology continues to fall.

Depending on a battery's chemistry, a solar panel battery pack can cost anywhere from $200 to $15,000. This cost will cover the installation fee. Despite this, there is no definite amount as the battery pack cost depends on different factors. Below are some factors that will determine the cost of your solar panel battery pack;

Solar battery manufacturer- the battery brand you choose will impact the pricing as different brands offer different services and have different manufacturing processes.

Battery chemistry

Battery size and capacity

The type of solar inverter required

The number of batteries you need to be installed.

Labor cost

Note

If you are looking to install a solar panel battery pack, make sure you contact multiple reputable battery storage installers within your country or state. Doing this will ensure you get the highest quality installation at the best possible price.

Solar Panel Charging Battery Packs

You can easily charge your battery packs using the solar panel. But, as stated above, it is advisable to first install a charge controller or regulator which will help regulate the voltage from the solar panel to protect against overcharging. On sunny days, the solar panel may produce more energy than your battery can handle when you fail to install a regulator. This, in turn, will damage your battery.

On the other hand, a solar panel can be connected directly to a 12V battery. It must be monitored if it is more than 5 watts. Generally, solar panels that are rated higher than 5 watts should not be connected directly to a battery. There are certain requirements to be followed when you are using a charge controller. First, when acquiring a charge controller, it is advisable to observe the voltage requirements. You should only connect the correct batteries for which the specific charge controller is designed. This means that a lead-acid battery charge controller should be connected to a lead-acid battery and not a Li-ion.

Let us look at how you can connect your solar panel to charge your battery packs with a charge controller.

First, check the back of your solar panel for the wattage.

Divide the solar watt rating of your panel by the voltage of your battery to get the amps your charge controller needs to safely charge the battery.

Choose a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller for better efficiency.

Mount the charge controller somewhere grounded and safe out of weather elements as it is not weatherproof.

Connect positive and negative wires to your battery terminals.

Slide at the end of the wires into the input ports on the charge controller.

Connect the wires from the charge controller to the solar panel.