You don’t have to be a renewable energy aficionado to have noticed the rise in the popularity of solar batteries. With feed-in tariffs (the money you receive for sending your excess solar power to the grid) significantly declining, batteries offer owners the chance to increase their energy independence. Using a solar battery helps you generate, store and use your power on your terms and enjoy life without the hassle of blackouts or high electrical bills. However, are solar batteries a good solution for everyone? Are solar batteries worth it?
Do I need a solar battery?
The intricacies of incorporating a solar battery mean nothing if you don’t require one. So, do you need a solar battery? If you’re considering the switch to solar energy, or if you’ve already got a basic panel and inverter system, it’s almost imperative to have a battery incorporated into your system.
Why? Well, with feed-in tariffs continuously declining into insignificance, you’re no longer being adequately compensated for the cost of pulling power from the grid when the sun’s down. This is criminally wasteful – earlier in the day you generated enough energy to keep your house running after dusk! So, to make your system efficient and economical and to get solar working for you, you need a battery storage solution.
Are solar batteries affordable?
Some people object to getting a solar battery on the basis of cost. This expense is dependent on the battery's size and capability – the greater the kilowatt hour (kWh) capacity, the higher the price. The range is somewhere around $4,500 all the way up to $18,000 (this is without installation costs). Solar batteries require long-term vision – over time, your continual savings and increase in energy independence mitigate this upfront cost.
However, here at Plico, we’re on a mission to make it as easy as possible for people to make the switch to green, renewable energy. We’ve eradicated these upfront costs and offer members one low weekly instalment for our solar + battery solution, with installation and up to ten years of ongoing support included!
Learn more by reading our article on how much it costs for both solar panels and a solar battery.
How much solar battery storage will I need?
This is an important question to ask – if you buy a battery that’s bigger than you need and that you can’t fill, the extra expense is money wasted. With some minor investigating of your most recent electrical bill, you can locate your ‘average daily usage’ and find the numerical figure of kWh you use. From this, you can begin to craft an idea of the capacity of solar battery size you’ll need.
If this seems like a confusing process, don’t worry. Plico has a team of specialists, and we can come out to your property for an obligation-free appraisal, letting you know the optimal size of your solar + battery solution.
Sooner than we think, more of us will be charging an EV with solar panels at home, so you'll want to ensure your system can cope with this increased demand.
Read our article, What Size Solar Battery Do I Need? for more information on sizing your battery.
How long do solar batteries last?
Solar batteries last between five to twenty-five years, but different solar battery types have different estimated lifespans. Additionally, a higher-quality battery will last longer.
Plico’s solar batteries have a cycle life of more than 6,000 cycles, equating to around fifteen years of productivity. For lithium-ion batteries, this is an industry-leading lifespan. When looking at which solar battery system to invest in, also take note of the warranty attached. Plico members receive up to ten years of ongoing support; our technology can monitor your system to mitigate potential faults.
You can learn more about solar battery longevity by reading our article How Long Do Solar Batteries Last?
How much money will I save with a solar battery?
This heavily depends on your overall energy consumption, but a good starting place is looking at our solar savings calculator. Of course, how much you save depends on aspects specific to your situation – so give our friendly team a call on 1300 175 426 to get a more refined idea of your savings.
Beat blackouts with the right solar battery
Blackouts, or power outages, happen when electricity demand outweighs supply and creates power failures. Blackouts can impact many suburbs at once and last for long periods. They’re extremely inconvenient for residents as they can cause fridges to warm and food to go off; air conditioners and heaters won’t work, so temperatures can be uncomfortable; there’s the new issue that electric car owners won’t be able to charge their car!
A Plico solar battery gives you blackout protection, meaning that you’ll be able to keep your house powered no matter what’s happening with the grid. For electric car owners, this means you can keep charging your vehicle no matter what.
For more information on solar batteries and blackouts, read our article How to Prepare for a Power Outage or Blackout.
What if you already have solar panels but you want a battery?
You might be tempted by the benefits of installing a solar battery, but be wondering how it works if you already have a solar-only system. Plico can add a solar battery to your existing solar system.
There’s a high demand for retrofit solar batteries, and it makes sense since the lifespan of solar panels is longer than that of batteries. We have battery technology that’s purpose-made for adding to an existing system. View our battery-only products.
What are the disadvantages of using solar batteries?
As we’ve already touched on, for most, the major detraction of solar batteries is their upfront price tag (something Plico members don’t need to worry about). Other disincentivising factors could be the increased maintenance of your system and the worry of having to go through the process all over again if the lifespan of your battery is short.
We understand these concerns, and that’s one of the major incentives that drove us to provide ten years of ongoing support – to ensure that our members are able to maximise the benefits of using clean, renewable energy in a way that is better than shared community batteries.
Read our article on getting the most out of your solar battery to ensure there isn’t a solution to the disadvantage you‘re thinking of.
So, are solar batteries worth it in 2024?
In 2024, solar batteries are more worth it than ever, with improved technology, longer lifespans, and Plico's innovative no-upfront-cost model making them accessible to more households. As solar feed-in tariffs continue to drop to negligible levels, solar panels just don't make sense without a battery. Without a battery, you’re paying for your electricity as soon as the sun disappears. Conversely, a battery gives you the confidence to be in total control of your power – even blackouts become a thing of the past. In addition, your financial savings increase significantly when your system has a battery, and if you partner with Plico, you won’t have those big upfront costs to worry about.
Click the following link to read our post on the best solar battery in Australia.
Want to know how much a Plico solar + battery solution could save you? Get in contact with us and we’ll be able to give you a better idea of the money you could be saving.
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