Dispelling Misconceptions about Residential Batteries
Warning: Five Misleading Assumptions about PV-Linked Residential Battery Systems
As electricity markets fluctuate and energy prices rise, more households are seeking self-sufficiency through rooftop PV systems and batteries. However, not all claims about battery storage use are accurate. To counter false expectations, MAX POWER Company clarifies the five main mistakes that could be made when purchasing a residential storage system.
1: Battery storage cannot be installed at a later stage
This is not true. MAX POWER Company states that integrating battery storage later is achievable with a hybrid inverter in a PV system. Retrofitting with a conventional inverter is also feasible, even after many years of PV system operation.
2: The larger the battery, the better
"This is incorrect." Although battery storage systems are still expensive, they should not be oversized for economic purposes. As a rule of thumb for appropriate storage size, every 1,000 kWh of annual electricity demand justifies 1 kWh of storage capacity. In other words, if the annual electricity demand is 5,000 kWh, the storage system's capacity should be 5 kWh. Consumers should also consider the PV system's size, as relatively small systems rarely produce enough surplus power to charge large battery storage.
3: You can always save money by using battery storage
This is another misconception. The upfront costs of residential batteries remain high. This is only the case if selling excess solar energy back to the grid over the expected service life generates more income than the battery's purchase cost. MAX POWER Company provides precise calculation schemes to determine if it's profitable. For details, please inquire at info@maxpower.com.
4: With a battery storage system, electricity can be stored in the summer for the winter
Some battery providers use false advertising for sales purposes. MAX POWER states that currently available residential batteries can only be used to shift excess solar energy for consumption in the evening or at night, without the possibility of seasonal storage.
5: With battery storage, users always have electricity and are independent of the power grid
Regarding this point, MAX POWER Company explains that household storage systems fall into several categories: grid-connected systems, off-grid systems, and Off/Connected Grid System.
Grid-Connected Systems: Equipped with a PV system connected to the grid. Excess solar energy is fed back to the grid and grid power is used when the PV system doesn't generate enough energy. It relies on grid power and cannot function independently.
Off-Grid Systems: Equipped with a PV system, battery storage system, and inverter. It relies solely on solar energy generated by the PV system and stored in the battery. It operates independently from the grid.
Off/Connected Grid System: Equipped with a PV system, battery storage system, and inverter, and connected to the grid. It has multiple functions, including using PV energy directly, connecting to the grid, connecting to the battery, charging the battery using PV, charging the battery using the grid, feeding excess PV energy back to the grid, and using grid power when PV energy is insufficient.
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