Are Solar Battery Backups Worth the Price?

A solar battery backup can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000 to install, which leads many homeowners to question whether the peace of mind these systems provide justifies the price. As of 2020, only about 4% of residential solar installations have battery backups. Find out whether the benefits of a battery backup could outweigh the costs for your home or business in Orange County.

Battery Backup Pricing

Several types of batteries are used to back up solar power systems. Battery prices range based on the chemistry and the brand. The following battery types are used as solar power backups:

Lithium iron phosphate

Lithium nickel manganese cobalt

Lead-acid batteries

Lithium iron phosphate or LFP batteries have the longest life cycle for stationary applications and pose a lower fire risk. Lithium nickel manganese cobalt or NMC batteries tend to be more affordable than LFP batteries. Lead-acid batteries cost less than lithium batteries but have shorter lifespans and lower capacities.

Battery Backup Features

A solar battery backup can provide power during grid outages, heavy cloud cover, or after the sun goes down. As photovoltaic solar panels generate energy, a direct current flows through an inverter. Alternating current provides power and charges the battery backup. The solar power system can then run at least limited loads on stored energy.

Battery Backup Pros and Cons

One big advantage to investing in a battery backup is less need for a generator. The cost of battery backups is the only drawback, but most batteries last for 10 to 15 years, which is plenty of time to recoup battery backup installation costs.

If you decide to invest in a solar battery backup for a home or business in Orange County, you should have skilled professionals connect the battery to a solar power system. A battery backup lets you store power to use later or run critical loads during outages.