Is anyone currently living with a solar plus battery storage system, and what has your experience be

Brendaneldridge
Brendaneldridge Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
in New Battery Technologies #1
I’m considering installing solar with a home battery system to reduce electricity bills and have backup power during outages. I’ve heard that battery storage is becoming increasingly common in Australian homes, but I’d like to understand what it’s really like in everyday use. For those who already have solar battery storage, how much has it helped overall, and do your batteries usually last through the night?
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 483 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    I can't speak specifically to Solar Plus but my LFP04 battery bank can go two days with no charging input if needed. So yes, definitely over night  o:)
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • Graham Parkinson
    Graham Parkinson Registered Users Posts: 191 ✭✭✭
    #3
    Essentially, if you design the system correctly (capacity/efficiency vs loads etc.) and buy good gear you can get what you pay for!   So the short answer is, yes - batteries can just work.

    For example, our off-grid system is designed for our cloudy climate in which there is often 3-4 days with no solar input whatsoever.  During that time if we are careful in our power use, our 30 kWhr LiFePO4 battery array will power our highly energy efficient fridge, freezer and LED lights (as well as occasional micro-wave, toaster, phone chargers, router and laptops).  Thanks to energy efficient appliances, our cool climate and no phantom loads we use about 4 kW-hr a day. Meaning a "theoretical" endurance of over 5 days with no sun.

    You need to use something like the freely available PV-Watts software to determine your seasonal-daily PV input and compare that to your actual daily power usage to answer your question. 

    Offgrid in cloudy PNW

    Full Schneider system with 18 REC 420W panels, 100A-600V controller, XWPro, Insight Home, six Discover AES Rackmount 5kW batteries, Slimline enclosure, Lynk II, AGS, H650,  H2200, H3000 (Propane conversion on Victron AutoTrans with Gen Line 2 wire AGS on AC1), Kubota 4500, Onan 7500 (on second AGS and AC2).

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