Energy storage has become very popular as power prices continue to escalate, some feed-in tariffs schemes end and as battery technology evolves. Prices of battery systems have also reduced drastically meaning more and more solar owners can store their generated energy for use at night.
Not everyone has an understanding of the reasons for all the hype about batteries. The following FAQ will help pick apart the key motivations and possibilities for installing a battery system in your home.
QUICK FAQ:
1. Are batteries financially ‘viable’? The answer is YES. It is very possible to achieve payback within the warranty period of 10 years. Consider this, what else have you ever bought that will pay for itself before the warranty expires (and then for many years more!)
2. What does a battery do and why would I want one? Five key reasons motivate our customers to get a battery:
3. Is my solar system compatible with a battery? The answer is YES. Despite a common solar marketplace misconception, the fact is ALL batteries can be compatible with any solar system. That’s because both your solar system and battery system are commonly plugged into your switchboard as two separate appliances, i.e. they don’t actually need to be plugged into each other to do their jobs.
Still not convinced? Give us a call and and we can review your existing system and tell you.
4. What is Reposit? This Canberra based startup is changing how battery systems are being used in Australia. By selling your excess battery power during peak demand times, Reposit allows you to make money from your battery and contribute to the grid.
5. How many batteries do I need? Every battery is different and they come in different sizes. The question is more accurately phased as: “How much energy storage do I need and what battery will meet my needs?”. We specialise in helping you answer these questions. Enquire today and and we can use your electricity bills to tell you.
6. Can batteries be installed outside? YES – at least all of the batteries in our range can. They can also be either wall or ground mounted. Be careful of cheaper brands that aren’t weather proofed…
7. How much will a battery cost me? That depends on what you need. Most battery systems are in the range of $10,000 – $14,000 fully installed. Although, there are some small ones that are under $10,000, or cheap knock-offs from China that are even cheaper. Our experience is that “you get what you pay for”.
8. Are batteries dangerous? Billions of dollars of R&D have gone into making the leading brands safe for consumers. Be careful of:
Since 2008 we have installed both grid connected and off-grid battery systems across Victoria, here are the current battery products we stock:
One of the most well-known brands of home battery currently available, Tesla Powerwall 2 has taken the whole world by storm. The first Powerwall was one of the most anticipated products ever released.
Owner and founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, also installed the world’s largest battery system for South Australia in late 2017, which uses the same technology as the Powerwall 2. The results have been staggering.
Tesla Powerwall 2, has a seriously large battery pack of 13.5 kWh which is enough for most homes (sometimes too much). Powerwall 2 also has a built-in battery inverter which means you don’t need to buy that extra bit of hardware. It is compatible with ANY solar power system.
We have installed many Powerwalls – EnviroGroup is proud to be one of the few Authorised Installers in Australia. Many of our customers have already signed up for one and they very popular, so don’t wait longer than you should to get your own.
LG Chem batteries have become the most commonly installed of the high quality battery systems in Australia. We have installed many of them and have been very pleased with the results. Check out the video below to see an example.
LG are known for their consumer electronics, but their battery division LG Chem, are one of the largest producers of lithium in the world (alongside Tesla/Panasonic).
LG is recognised around the world as a manufacturer of great quality and excellent value electronic appliances. They manufacture batteries for electric cars such as GM/Holden, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz.
The latest generation of LG Chem ‘RESU’ home solar batteries come in multiple sizes, can be wall or floor mounted and can be installed both indoors and outdoors. They are also compatible with the super popular Reposit Power monitoring/trading platform.
Depending on your energy consumption, LG Chem RESU can also be a cost effective solution for residential energy storage.
While not a battery, Reposit is intelligent software which works with your solar and battery system to maximise energy use and reduce payback times.
Reposit learns, adapts and predicts your energy usage so you’re getting the most from your solar. And during certain times of the year, Reposit even sells your power back to the grid when the prices are highest – earning you GridCreditsTM and an even lower power bill.
Reposit even tracks the weather so you know when you’re going to be getting a high solar day. You can then turn on your electrical appliances to make use of the extra energy.
There is so much more to say about Reposit than we can cover here. Click the link below to find out more.
Enphase Energy who are world leaders in Microinverter technology also offer their own AC Battery system. Starting in 1.2kWh units, the batteries are suitable for homes with smaller energy demands.
The compact battery system is designed to be modular so it can be easily expanded. While the lithium ion phosphate battery comes with a built in battery inverter and uses the Enphase Envoy S for energy management and monitoring. The Envoy S which measures the home’s energy usage and solar generation, directs excess solar energy into the battery for use at nigh
