Capacity
One of the biggest factors that drive solar battery cost is the battery's capacity. Simply put, a battery's capacity is the total amount of energy that can be stored within the battery. This measurement is most often expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Batteries that have a higher capacity will usually be more expensive when all other things are equal. To figure out what capacity of solar battery your home requires, you'll need to consider a few different factors, including your normal energy usage, the number of appliances you're hoping to power, and the period of time you hope to power those appliances when you have little or no sunlight.
Type of Battery
Solar batteries come in a variety of different types, each of which has its own pros and cons. These different battery types, from lead-acid to lithium-ion, rely on different chemical reactions and use different materials to store energy, which is a determining factor in answering the question, “How much are solar batteries worth?” For instance, lead-acid batteries are usually more affordable than other battery types in terms of upfront costs, but they have shorter lifespans and more maintenance requirements relative to lithium-ion batteries, which have a higher upfront cost but much longer lifespans.
Solar Battery Manufacturer
Because of their brand reputation, as well as research and development and quality assurance, solar batteries produced by more well-known and reputable manufacturers will tend to cost more. Knowing this, it might be tempting to turn to a lesser-known brand for a solar battery that costs less. This can be a misstep, as these lesser brands can lack reliability and performance, which will cost you more in the long term.
Number of Batteries Installed
Your energy needs and storage requirements will determine how many batteries you will need to adequately power your home. Factors such as the size of your home, the amount of solar panels your home has, and the number of appliances you hope to run from battery power will determine the amount of energy storage you will need. If large enough, your energy needs may necessitate more than one solar battery, which will change the cost of solar power batteries in your use case.
Labor Costs
How much is a solar battery to install in your home? In addition to the size and complexity of your solar installation, the specific energy requirements your home has will influence the cost of labor to install your solar batteries. If you're considering purchasing solar batteries, you'll want to consult a professional like the solar experts at Axia to accurately estimate the cost of labor for your specific installation.
Incentives & Rebates
Some state and local governments offer incentives and rebates to help homeowners offset the cost of solar batteries. With various incentives in the form of tax credits, government subsidies and grants, or even incentives offered by local utility companies, it's likely that you can find a program that can help minimize your solar battery cost.