What should I look for in a solar battery

There are several factors to consider when determining which battery will fit your system's storage needs. Low prices are always attractive, but it can easily affect the quality and solar system battery life. Having to finance frequent battery replacements may not be such a good deal in the long run.

Always consider the capacity of a battery or the amount of energy it can store. Voltage is also vital to ensure it at least equals your system's requirements. Battery bank voltage is often determined by the inverter's specifications. A battery's cycle life is probably the most critical consideration. This accounts for the number of charges/recharges the unit can provide before production drops beneath a certain percentage of the full load capacity. This can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer on the same size batteries.

How do I know what battery is right for my home?

Never make the mistake of underestimating the size of the battery you need. It can be frustrating to purchase a battery that doesn't give you enough stored electricity on an overcast day or one that isn't large enough to hold additional output on sunny days. Answering these questions can help you choose the right battery for your home:
•What is your average daily electrical usage in kW Hours?
•Do you have a backup system? How efficient is it? For example, a net metering agreement or a generator that will kick on automatically.
•How reliable is the daily sunshine in your area?
•If poor or unpredictable, about how long would you estimate your system would be able to cooperate without it?

You should also consider how often you use appliances with high power needs.
These questions may seem tedious, but a battery that isn't fully charged or one that can't hold a charge cannot give you what you need or last long. Plus, you can find some of the answers with the help of the  solar estimator.