Installing a solar battery may be cost-effective when the savings from using the battery exceed the cost of buying and maintaining it.
A solar battery can increase the total cost of a solar power system by over $10,000, but there are scenarios where a battery can be financially beneficial:
- If you are on a time-of-use electricity rate, you can avoid the highest costs by using the battery during the most expensive times.
- You can lower demand charges that are part of your electricity bill if your utility includes them.
Solar panels alone can’t provide a reliable backup during power outages or when the weather is poor, but a fully charged battery can power your home during these times.
Furthermore, if your electricity provider charges higher rates during peak times, using your stored solar energy can help you bypass these peak charges.
If net metering isn’t available where you live, a battery allows you to use your solar energy later rather than selling it back to the grid at a reduced value or for no credit at all.
This situation only makes financial sense if the lifetime cost of the solar battery is less than the cost of drawing power from the grid during the times you’d use the battery.
Remember that the federal tax credit, which can reduce your costs by 30%, applies to both solar panels and home batteries.
This credit can be stacked with local and utility incentives to further increase the financial benefits of a solar battery system.
Return of Investment (ROI) and Payback Period of Solar Batteries
The return on investment (ROI), savings, and payback period are crucial factors in determining the value of installing a solar battery system.
With a 6.6kW solar system and a 10kWh battery, the household can significantly increase its self-sufficiency in terms of energy usage. Here are some key points derived from your scenario:
- The combined solar and battery system is projected to fulfill 66% of the home’s energy needs.
- The battery is fully recharged on most days (98.5%), indicating a good match between the solar generation and battery capacity.
- An important recommendation is to ensure that the solar array is sized to achieve at least 80% battery utilization to maximize financial returns.
However, the financial analysis reveals a payback period of 13 years, which exceeds the warranty period of most solar batteries available in the market (5 to 10 years).
This implies that, based on the warranty, the battery may not last long enough to cover its own cost through the savings it provides.
For homeowners considering such an investment, this analysis suggests that it’s important to:
- Consider the warranty period versus the payback time.
- Assess the likelihood of technological advancements potentially reducing battery longevity.
- Factor in the possible need to replace the battery before it has paid for itself.
- Account for the benefits of increased energy independence and the potential for future electricity cost increases, which could improve the payback period.
Using an advanced solar and battery calculator, as you’ve mentioned, allows homeowners to input specific details about their individual energy usage, solar production, battery capacity, and local energy costs to get a more tailored analysis of their potential ROI, savings, and payback period.
It’s always beneficial to perform a personalized calculation before making such a substantial investment.
