Overview
Electricity bills can be difficult to manage when a large part of your home’s energy use happens after the sun goes down. Solar panels can generate plenty of electricity during the day, but your household may not always use that energy when it is being produced.
This is where home battery storage System can make a difference. A solar battery can store excess electricity generated by your solar panels and make that energy available later when solar production is low.
But installing a battery is not automatically the right choice for every home. Your electricity usage, solar system size, battery cost and energy tariff all affect the potential benefits.
What Is Home Battery Storage?
A home battery storage system stores electricity so it can be used at a later time. When connected to a solar PV system, the battery can capture excess solar energy that your home does not immediately need.
Without a battery, excess solar generation is generally exported to the electricity grid, subject to your system’s export arrangements. With a battery, some of that unused energy can instead be stored for later use.
This can increase solar self-consumption, meaning you use more of the electricity generated by your own solar system rather than purchasing as much electricity from the grid.
How Does a Solar Battery Work?
The basic process is straightforward:
Solar Panels → Home Uses Solar Power → Excess Solar Charges Battery → Stored Energy Used Later
During the day, your solar panels generate electricity. Your home uses this electricity first, and any suitable excess can be directed towards charging the battery.
Later, when solar generation falls, the stored energy can be used to power household appliances. If your battery does not have enough stored energy to meet demand, electricity can still be drawn from the grid.
The Australian Government explains that batteries can store solar energy for use when panels are not generating enough electricity, such as at night or during periods of lower sunlight.
How Can Battery Storage Help Reduce Electricity Costs?
The biggest potential advantage of a solar battery system is that it can help you use more of your own solar energy.
For example, imagine your solar panels generate significant electricity during the afternoon while the household is using relatively little. Instead of sending all suitable excess generation to the grid, a battery can store some of it.
Later in the evening, when the solar panels are producing little or no electricity, the stored energy can be used in the home.
This may reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from your retailer.
A battery can also potentially provide financial benefits through factors such as time-of-use electricity tariffs and reducing reliance on grid electricity during more expensive periods. However, the Australian Government notes that battery savings vary between households and that the cost of a battery may not always be recovered within its warranted lifetime.
That is why it is better to calculate your potential savings rather than assuming a battery will automatically reduce your bills by a particular amount.
When Does a Home Battery Store and Use Energy?
During the Day
Solar panels generate electricity while the sun is available. Your home uses the electricity it needs, while suitable excess generation can charge the battery.
In the Evening
Solar production decreases as daylight fades, but household electricity use can remain high. Stored battery energy can then be used to help power appliances.
Overnight
The battery may continue supplying stored energy depending on its remaining charge, capacity and household demand.
The Next Day
When solar generation starts again, the system can resume supplying the home and recharging the battery when there is suitable excess energy.
This daily cycle is one of the main reasons homeowners consider solar battery storage.
What Size Home Battery Do You Need?
Choosing a battery should not simply be based on getting the largest capacity available.
Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and represents how much energy the battery can store. The power output, measured in kilowatts (kW), determines how much power the battery can deliver at a particular time.
When considering what size battery you need, look at:
- Your daily electricity consumption
- Existing solar system size
- Evening and overnight electricity usage
- Household size
- Available solar generation
- Electricity tariff
- Backup power requirements
A correctly sized system should reflect how your household actually uses energy rather than simply maximising battery capacity.
What Are the Main Benefits of Battery Storage?
Better Use of Solar Energy
A battery allows suitable excess solar generation to be stored and used later instead of immediately exporting all of it to the grid.
Reduced Grid Dependence
Using stored solar energy can reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid, particularly when your solar panels are not generating.
Greater Energy Control
Battery storage gives households greater control over when their stored energy is used. Depending on the system and electricity plan, its operation can be configured around different energy-use priorities.
Potential Long-Term Savings
Using more of your own solar-generated electricity may reduce your electricity purchases. However, the financial outcome depends on your system, usage patterns, electricity prices and battery installation cost.
The Australian Government’s Solar Consumer Guide also recommends considering your household needs, costs and potential savings before choosing a solar and battery system.
What Should You Consider Before Installing a Solar Battery?
The battery itself is only one part of the overall system. Before choosing a product, consider:
- Battery capacity and usable capacity
- Power output
- Round-trip efficiency
- Warranty conditions
- Expected operating life
- Solar and inverter compatibility
- Monitoring features
- Backup capability
- Installation requirements
- Total installed cost
Safety and product quality are particularly important. The Australian Government recommends checking the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list and reviewing warranty, product quality and manufacturer support before purchasing.
It is also worth comparing more than one quote and asking installers exactly what is included in the installation, warranty and ongoing support.
Is Home Battery Storage Worth It?
A battery may make more sense for some households than others.
It can be worth considering if you:
- Already have a suitable solar system
- Use significant electricity in the evening
- Want to increase solar self-consumption
- Want greater control over household energy use
- Are interested in backup power, where a compatible system is installed
However, is a home battery worth it is ultimately a property-specific question.
The Australian Government points out that battery economics depend on factors including how much electricity you use, when you use it, your electricity price, your solar system size and the battery’s purchase cost.
For a more personalised estimate, Australia’s government-supported SunSPOT calculator can help estimate solar and battery costs, savings and potential payback based on your circumstances.
Can a Home Battery Provide Backup Power?
Battery storage can provide backup electricity during a blackout, but not every battery installation automatically provides backup power.
A compatible system needs to be specifically configured for this purpose. Depending on the system design, backup power may supply the whole property or only selected essential circuits.
The Australian Government explains that grid-connected solar systems normally shut down during a power outage for safety reasons, while appropriately configured battery systems can continue supplying electricity during an outage.
If backup power is important to you, discuss this requirement before choosing the battery and inverter configuration.
Professional Home Battery Installation Matters
Battery installation involves electrical equipment, system configuration and specific safety requirements. The installation location, battery enclosure, clearances and connection to the home’s electrical system all need to be considered.
The Australian Government recommends using a registered/licensed installer who is appropriately accredited for battery installation.
Professional installation also helps ensure the battery is correctly sized, integrated with the solar system and configured according to the household’s requirements.
For consumers researching battery installation, the Australian Government’s battery guidance is a useful independent resource covering battery sizing, safety, installation, backup power and financial considerations.
Simple Ways to Get More From Your Battery
Installing a battery is only the beginning. How you use your energy can also affect the value you get from the system.
Try to:
- Monitor your household electricity consumption.
- Use high-energy appliances efficiently during solar generation periods.
- Keep track of battery performance through the available monitoring system.
- Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.
- Review your electricity plan and tariff from time to time.
- Avoid unnecessary electricity consumption.
Understanding when your home uses the most electricity can help you make better use of both your solar panels and battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does home battery storage work?
A home battery stores electricity generated by your solar system or supplied through an appropriate electrical configuration and makes that stored energy available for later use.
Can a solar battery reduce electricity bills?
It can potentially reduce electricity purchases from the grid by allowing you to use stored solar energy later. The actual savings depend on your electricity usage, solar generation, battery size, electricity tariff and system cost.
How long does a home battery last?
Battery lifespan varies by technology, manufacturer, usage and operating conditions. When comparing products, look at the manufacturer’s warranty, expected cycle life and throughput rather than considering only the number of years advertised.
What size battery do I need for my home?
The appropriate size depends on your electricity consumption, solar generation and when your household uses the most energy. A professional assessment can help determine a suitable capacity.
Can a battery work without solar panels?
Some battery systems can operate without rooftop solar, depending on their design and configuration. However, whether this setup makes financial sense depends on your electricity plan and how the battery would be charged and used.
Can a home battery provide backup power?
Yes, some systems can provide backup power, but the battery and inverter must be designed and configured for backup operation. Not every battery installation provides this functionality.
Is battery storage worth adding to an existing solar system?
It can be, particularly if you have excess solar generation and significant electricity use when your panels are not producing. However, the potential financial return should be assessed using your actual electricity consumption and current energy costs.
Choose the Right Home Battery Storage Solution
A home battery can do more than simply store electricity. When correctly sized and integrated with a solar system, it can help households make greater use of their own solar generation, reduce reliance on grid electricity and gain more control over when energy is used.
The important thing is to look beyond battery capacity alone. Consider your energy consumption, solar generation, electricity tariff, installation requirements, backup needs and the overall cost of the system before making a decision.
If you’re considering home battery storage or upgrading an existing solar setup, Green Saver Australia can help you explore suitable energy solutions for your property. You can also visit Green Saver Australia’s business profile to learn more about the business and its services.
Note: Government programs, rebates and battery incentives can change. Always check the current eligibility requirements before making a purchase. The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program currently provides support for eligible small-scale battery systems, subject to its requirements.