How Long Do Solar Batteries Last In 2023?
Credit image: Tesla Powerwall
Solar batteries are an excellent source of energy for your home but, how long do solar batteries last in 2023? Solar batteries are more popular than ever since they can keep your lights on during a power outage and possibly save you some money on your energy bill. They can be used to power lights, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
Solar batteries are one of the most essential elements of a solar energy system. They are used to store energy that is produced by solar panels. Unfortunately, they’re quite pricey, the cheapest batteries will set you back over $10,000, with most systems costing closer to $15,000.
That’s a lot of money, therefore it’s critical to understand how long a battery can power your home. The quick answer is that a solar battery has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The truth is that the lifespan of your battery is determined by a variety of things.
Lifespan Of A Solar Battery
Most solar batteries have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
A battery often comes with a 10-year warranty, so you should be able to use it for at least a decade. However, just because the warranty has expired does not mean the battery will stop working.
Because solar battery technology is still in its early stages, there isn’t much data on how long residential batteries will last once their guarantee expires. However, it is safe to assume that the battery will continue to store solar energy for at least another five years after the guarantee period has expired.
Factors Influencing Solar Battery Lifespan
Keep in mind that the average lifespan of a solar battery is 10 to 15 years. Several factors will influence how many years you can use your battery storage system.
One of the main factors depends on how well you take care of your battery. If you store your battery in a dry place, it can last longer than 15 years.
If you keep your battery in a humid environment, it will last less than 10 years. If you let your battery, get too hot, it can become damaged and short-lived.
In addition, the lifespan of a solar battery depends on how well you take care of it. If you don’t clean your battery regularly, it will accumulate dust and dirt over time. This will decrease the efficiency of your battery.
And if you neglect to charge your battery, it will not last as long as it could. This is because the battery’s ability to produce energy will be reduced.
The lifespan of a solar battery also depends on the type of battery you have. Batteries with more capacity can produce more energy than those that are less powerful.
Types Of Solar Batteries
There are a number of different types of batteries, each with different properties. The best type of battery for your situation depends on several factors including the size of your solar array and how much energy your home needs.
However, the most common for residential use are lithium-ion and lead-acid. Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, as previously stated. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years.
As a result, if you choose to install lead-acid batteries, you should anticipate replacing them more frequently than if you installed lithium-ion batteries.
Because they last so much longer than lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries are the most preferred choice among homeowners. For off-grid solar installations, lead-acid batteries are more common. Will White, a solar expert, explains the differences between lead-acid and lithium batteries:
How Do You Use The Solar Battery?
The way you use your battery has a significant impact on how long it will survive. Consider your cell phone’s battery life; as you use it, you’ll need to charge it more frequently. Solar batteries operate in the same manner. As batteries are used, their storage capacity declines, and they must be recharged more frequently.
When considering how long a battery will survive, consider it in cycles rather than years. If you entirely deplete your solar battery every day, it will not survive as long as your neighbor’s battery, which only uses half of the energy stored in it on a daily basis.
As a result, most battery manufacturers offer cycle guarantees or “throughput measurements” in addition to their yearly warranty and most batteries have a warranty of 5,000 to 10,000 cycles.
Lithium-ion batteries can endure more discharge cycles than lead-acid batteries, which is one of the reasons they have longer lifespans.
Environmental Impact On Solar Battery
Batteries’ lifespan is reduced when they are exposed to severe temperatures and harsh weather conditions. Many homeowners try to install home energy storage in garages or temperature-controlled locations to help protect their batteries.
The temperature has a greater influence on lead-acid batteries than on lithium-ion batteries, which adds to the list of reasons lithium-ion batteries have longer lifespans. Lead-acid batteries are normally rated to be stored at temperatures ranging from 40°F to 80°F, whereas lithium-ion batteries can withstand temperatures ranging from 0°F to 90°F.
Do Solar Batteries Outlast Solar Panels?
Solar batteries do not have the same lifespan as solar panels. Solar batteries have a 10-year warranty, while solar panels have a 25-year warranty. As previously stated, the warranty period is not the end of the product’s life. As a result, a battery may last closer to 15 years, whereas solar panels may last up to 30 years.
In any case, your solar panels will most certainly outlast your batteries. To continue using energy storage, you may need to replace your batteries before your solar panels.
How Long Can A Solar Battery Keep Your House Running?
The answer is dependent on a variety of factors, including the amount of energy the battery can store, the amount of power it can deliver, and the appliances you want the battery to power.
In general, most solar batteries will not be able to power a full home unless a very large and extremely expensive system is installed. They can, however, power a few key appliances such as refrigerators, lights, outlets, and a WiFi network. The chart below shows how long a standard 10 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery can run before needing to be recharged:
You can power essential appliances for 8 hours using a 10 kWh, 5 kW battery.
| Essential load | Wattage | Hours | kWh consumed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 7000 W | 8 | 5.6 kWh |
| Lights | 400 W | 5 | 2.0 kWh |
| Electric stove | 2500 W | 0.5 | 1.25 kWh |
| Microwave | 900 W | 0.25 | 0.23 kWh |
| Laptop charger | 61 W | 2 | 0.12 kWh |
| Phone charger | 20 W | 4 | 0.80 kWh |
| Television | 77 W | 2 | 0.15 kWh |
| WiFi router 5 W 8 0.4 kWh | 5 W | 8 | 0.4 kWh |
| Total kWh needed | 9.47 kWh |
How Do I Know When It’s Time To Change My Solar Battery?
While reaching the usable and/or warranty life of a solar battery is usually a solid indicator that it needs to be replaced, there are a few tell-tale signs that your battery needs to be replaced. Among these indicators are:
- Battery capacity has been reduced to the point that it no longer meets your energy requirements.
- Higher rates of self-discharge (i.e. energy leakage) and shorter cycle lifetimes.
- A battery failure or a system problem.
If you encounter any of the concerns listed above, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
Is Solar Battery A Good Investment For You?
Solar batteries are not a good investment for everyone. If your utility provides complete retail net metering, a battery makes little financial sense because it will not save you any money on your electricity bills. If your provider does not offer net metering, a battery could save you even more money.
However, batteries can cost up to $10,000, so you’re unlikely to save enough money to recoup the outlay. The most important advantage of a battery is that it can power your appliances in the event of a power outage.
So, if you live in an area with regular blackouts, a battery may be helpful! Finally, it’s up to you to determine whether the hefty cost is worth the assurance that your lights will stay on even if the power goes out.
Choosing the Best Battery For Your Requirements
It is critical to get the guidance of a skilled and experienced installation while acquiring solar batteries. A skilled installation will walk you through the best alternatives for your lifestyle requirements and budget, ensuring that your home system is built to last.
Pay particular attention to battery replacement warranties and guarantees, and make sure you buy your batteries from a reliable solar installer.
In conclusion, if you have the ability to generate your own electricity, consider installing a solar battery. If you can’t generate your own electricity, think about how much electricity your household uses, and how much that will increase if you install a battery. Finally, you must check with your utility to make sure that your home is properly prepared to handle a solar battery.
