Check the power rating for your specific devices when creating a loads list. *The figures above are averages and are meant for example use only. Example critical loads list for battery backup System Pro tip: Google “(refrigerator model) wattage” or check the labels on your appliances to determine the power needs of your critical backup loads. This will start to give you an idea of how much capacity you’ll need to power these systems on battery power alone. Next, you’ll make a “loads list” that adds up how much electricity each system uses. But smaller systems, like the ones listed above, are routinely backed up by home solar and battery. These systems typically include:Īir conditioning and electric heat consume a ton of electricity and therefore typically aren’t included in essential battery backup systems. How long you want to be able to power themįor example, if your goal is to power critical systems during grid outages, then the first step is to identify those systems.The next step to sizing your solar battery is determining the maximum load you want it to power. What’s the next step to determining the right battery size? Step 2: Determine the size of the load So, let’s say your primary goal is to power critical systems during grid outages. For example, if you have a 10 kWh backup battery you may also be able to use it for solar self-consumption (with the understanding that you won’t get much or any backup power if the grid goes down shortly after your battery has been discharged). ![]() There may be cases in which you can use a single battery system for two purposes. However, with time-of-use rates becoming more common and net metering policies eroding across the US, using battery storage for solar self-consumption is gaining popularity as a cost-saving strategy. Historically, home battery systems are most associated with critical loads backup. Self-consumption: Storing excess solar power produced during the day to avoid buying expensive electricity from the grid at night.Whole-home backup: Powering the entirety of your home electrical systems during grid outages.Critical loads backup: Powering a select number of essential electrical systems during grid outages.There are three basic roles battery storage can play: The first step to sizing your solar battery is determining which function(s) you would like it to perform. Next, follow three steps to figure out how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you want your solar battery to hold. So, when choosing a battery size, make sure to focus on the usable capacity. Usable capacity refers to the maximum amount of electricity the battery can discharge at once without exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations for depth of dischargeįor example, the SunPower SunVault 13 has a nameplate capacity of 13 kWh, but a usable capacity of 12 kWh after factoring in that only 92% of its full capacity can be discharged without affecting its lifespan. ![]()
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