Solar Battery Storage

Solar batteries are optional in grid-tied photovoltaic systems.

For many homeowners, the costs of electricity storage may have once outweighed the benefits.

However, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, the National Grid infrastructure is ageing, and fossil fuel supplies are dwindling and subject to renewed uncertainty due to the geopolitical climate — and climate change.

With solar battery technology rapidly growing more efficient — and dropping in price — more and more homeowners are looking to hybrid PV systems for energy security and maximising return on investment.

People who already own solar panels and a feed-in PV system are increasingly motivated to retrofit their existing setups with solar batteries to achieve similar aims.

If you’re a homeowner that fits either description new product line from EcoFlow could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

If you’re a solar installation professional, EcoFlow has partnership opportunities that are too good to pass up.

Read on to find out more.

A solar battery stores electricity produced by solar panels or other photovoltaic modules like solar shingles for later use.

Renewable energy sources, like wind, hydro, and solar, offer virtually inexhaustible supplies of clean electricity.

However, each shares a common drawback: intermittency.

Turbines won’t produce electricity if the wind doesn’t blow.

Solar panels can’t generate electricity at night.

Residential solar power systems solve the problem of intermittency in one of two ways (or a high hybrid of both):

On-Grid Systems: Grid-tied solar panel systems integrate with a power or utility provider through a balance of system that includes a bidirectional meter or similar component. During daylight hours, a home runs on the electricity produced by solar panels. If energy generation is insufficient to meet consumption, solar power is automatically supplemented by electricity from the grid. If the system is registered with the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme or a similar program, excess electricity produced during the day is sold back to an SEG Licensee (utility or power company).

The money residential SEG Generators receive can be used to offset their on-grid electricity costs. Depending on the amount of electricity produced vs watt-hours consumed, earning income via the SEG is technically possible.

The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme in 2022. Many people still refer to the process of selling electricity back to the grid as “feeding-in.”

Off-Grid Systems: For many consumers, achieving energy independence is the prime motivation behind switching to solar power. With sufficient electricity generation (solar panels) and storage (solar battery) capacity, reducing or eliminating reliance on the utility grid is possible.

In off-grid systems, a solar battery is not optional. There’s no way to generate electricity from sunlight at night. On cloudy days, electricity production will be reduced. Solar batteries solve the problem of intermittency — without one (or more), the system simply won’t work.

Grid-Tied with Storage (Hybrid): A solar battery is optional in on-grid systems. When electricity consumption exceeds production, a grid-tied system automatically draws power from the utility provider.

There are two primary reasons why homeowners add solar batteries to a new or existing grid-tied system.

• Energy Security: For worker safety and other reasons, on-grid solar power systems do not operate during power outages. By opting for a residential PV system with battery storage, homeowners can rely on stored electricity during a blackout. EcoFlow PowerOcean is an example of an on-grid solar power system that offers expandable LiFePO4 battery storage.
• Electricity Bill Savings: By controlling when and how on-grid electricity gets consumed, users can avoid peak billing times and save even more money on their electricity bills. EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit is a groundbreaking solar battery retrofitting solution for existing residential systems. It can substantially increase return on investment and shorten the solar payback period. However, it will not provide electricity during a blackout.

There are many different types of solar batteries, but the basic principle remains the same. Solar batteries store the electricity produced by photovoltaic modules (usually solar panels) for use when a PV array generates less electricity than a household consumes.

As detailed above, intermittency is one of the biggest shortcomings of solar and other renewable energy sources. Solar panels cannot produce electricity at night. Solar battery storage enables a residential PV panel array and balance of system to provide electricity without sunlight — either on or off-grid.

There are countless different types of solar batteries on the market when it comes to model and manufacturer. However, the essential distinguishing factor between storage systems is solar battery chemistry.

Here are the most commonly deployed battery chemistries for residential solar power systems.

Lead acid is the oldest form of rechargeable battery technology. It was first discovered in the late 1800s, and for many years — alongside Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) — it was the only choice available to consumers.

For a century-plus-old technology, lead acid batteries are still remarkably common. However, they lag significantly behind newer lithium-ion-based battery chemistries in almost every area except price.

VRLA batteries are often called “deep cycle” batteries and offer significant improvements on traditional lead acid solar batteries.

However, they still lag behind newer technologies like LiFePO4 and NMC in performance.

VRLA batteries come in two common varieties: absorbent glass mat (AGM) and gel cell (gel battery).

Nickel cadmium (NiCd) was once a popular choice for solar battery chemistry.

However, consumer use of Nicad batteries has been increasingly restricted by the EU since 2006. It’s rare to find new NiCd solar batteries for residential use.

Since making their commercial debut in the 1990s, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become ubiquitous in everyday life. From smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, Li-ion and newer lithium subsets like LFP are the batteries of choice for many other applications.

They also offer numerous benefits over lead acid and VRLA (sealed lead acid) batteries.

Solar battery storage systems vary significantly depending on whether the residence is grid-tied or off-grid. Off-grid systems need solar batteries to function. With on-grid, they’re optional.

99.9% of solar battery systems fall into one of two categories: AC or DC-coupled storage.

Let’s take a look at each.

Everyone is familiar with alternating current (AC) — that’s why it’s called household electricity.

But many people don’t realise that even if you plug a rechargeable device into a home wall socket, the power is converted and stored as DC electricity.

In residential AC-coupled solar battery systems, a solar inverter converts the DC electricity a PV array produces to AC. A storage inverter converts it to DC for storage and back to AC for consumption.

EcoFlow’s groundbreaking PowerOcean DC Fit solar batteries connect directly to existing solar panel arrays without needing any additional components like a storage inverter.

If you’re interested in adding storage to an existing grid-tied residential solar power system, there’s no easier way.

EcoFlow’s groundbreaking PV-coupled PowerOcean DC Fit solution allows you to add industry-leading LiFePO4 solar battery storage technology to an on-grid solar system without replacing the existing inverter or modifying home wiring.

PowerOcean PV-coupled solar batteries start at 5kWh of storage, and you can expand the system up to 15kWh. That’s enough electricity storage to keep almost any home running after the sun sets.

Not only is installation hassle-free, but you won’t need to apply for a new on-grid permit, which can be an extremely time-consuming and frustrating process.
Adding PV-coupled solar batteries to your existing solar panel system is an excellent alternative to AC and DC coupling when retrofitting storage. You can keep your current solar inverter and don’t need to add a storage inverter.

Adding PV-coupled solar batteries to your existing solar panel system is an excellent alternative to AC and DC coupling when retrofitting storage. You can keep your current solar inverter and don’t need to add a storage inverter.

Adding PowerOcean DC Fit LiFePO4 solar batteries to your existing system can reduce your dependence on utility grid electricity and substantially decrease or eliminate your electricity bills. Over time, your savings will more than outweigh the costs of purchasing the system.

You’ll get 15 years of daily use before hitting 70% of the battery’s original capacity. Backed by an industry-leading 15-year warranty, that’s more than enough time to pay off your system and start making money instead of spending it on electricity bills!

PowerOcean DC Fit makes achieving optimal savings on your utility bills easy. The EcoFlow App and Web Portal give you complete control of your system from anywhere there’s internet. Programming your system to auto-switch between on-grid and solar battery-stored electricity to avoid paying on-peak rates is virtually effortless. If you do require grid power, you can buy it at the lowest price — no matter what time it is.

One essential thing to note. PowerOcean DC Fit will not supply electricity during a power outage. Unlike some other storage solutions, the grid must be operational for PowerOcean DC Fit to supply electricity to your home.

If you want to maximise your ROI from your existing solar panel array, adding PV-coupled solar battery storage with PowerOcean DC is the ideal retrofitting solution.

Yes, you can add AC or DC-coupled solar batteries to an existing grid-tied solar power system.

Both options require the purchase of additional components, for example:

Now, there’s a better option. EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit is a game-changing solar battery retrofit solution.

Thanks to proprietary PV-coupling technology, installers can connect existing solar panel arrays directly to LiFePO4 solar batteries without requiring additional components like a charge controller or storage inverter.

It’s the simplest way to retrofit an existing grid-tied solar panel array.

EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit adds industry-leading LiFePO4 solar battery storage technology to an on-grid solar system without replacing the solar inverter or integrating the system with existing home wiring.

Modular LiFePO4 solar batteries start at 5kWh of storage and are expandable the system up to 15kWh.

Installation is virtually hassle-free, and there’s no need to secure a new on-grid permit.
EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit significantly reduces a household’s dependence on power company electricity. Homeowners can achieve substantial savings and even eliminate electricity bills completely. In the mid to long term, savings on utility bills should more than outweigh the cost of the system.

EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit makes optimising electricity bill savings easy. The EcoFlow App and Web Portal give users complete control of the system from anywhere with an internet connection. Switching between on-grid and battery-stored electricity to avoid peak rates is virtually effortless.

However, EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit DOES NOT supply electricity during a power outage. Unlike other hybrid solar + storage solutions like EcoFlow PowerOcean, the grid must be operational for PowerOcean DC Fit to function.

Retail Price of a New Grid-Tied Solar Panel and Battery Storage System
EcoFlow PowerOcean is an all-inclusive solar inverter and battery solution. Aside from solar panels and third-party components like a bidirectional meter and transfer switch, everything needed for a grid-tied residential solar power system — with home backup power — is included.

With storage capacity starting at 5kWh (expandable to 45kWh) and up to 14kW of solar charge input (35 x Ecoflow 400W rigid solar panels), EcoFlow PowerOcean is an easy-to-install solar panel and battery solution that’s suitable for almost any home.

EcoFlow PowerOcean offers extensive customisation and expansion opportunities. The retail cost of the system will depend on factors like:

Consumer Price of a Retrofit Grid-Tied Solar Panel and Battery Storage System
For homes with solar roofs and an on-grid balance of system already installed, EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit is an elegant and cost-saving solution.

With EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit, there’s no need to install a new inverter or alter home wiring and grid integration. And since the homeowner has already invested in solar panels and a balance of system, the cost of adding solar battery storage is considerably lower than starting from scratch.

EcoFlow makes retrofitting storage easy with virtually wireless installation. EcoFlow Power Ocean LFP batteries start at 5kWh of storage and are expandable to 15kWh.

In off-grid and hybrid PV electrical systems, solar battery storage isn’t optional. It’s a prerequisite for this type of system to operate.

In a traditional grid-tied system, you can do without a solar battery. But you’ll also have to do without electricity in a blackout.

If the electricity grid is reliable in your location, the added expense of adding battery storage to an existing grid-tied solar power system may not be worth it. Particularly as traditional retrofit solutions often require new or additional inverters and permits.

If you or your customer is considering purchasing a new hybrid PV system or a solar battery retrofit, EcoFlow PowerOcean or EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit could be the perfect fit.

• Energy Security: A hybrid PV system continues to supply — and generate electricity — during a power outage. Note that it must be a true hybrid system like EcoFlow PowerOcean. Not retrofit solar battery storage like PowerOcean DC Fit.
• Electricity Bill Savings: Both EcoFlow PowerOcean solutions allow consumers to save substantially on power bills by only using grid electricity when rates are off-peak. The EcoFlow app makes it simple to configure the system to maximise savings from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Flexible Investment: One significant advantage of an innovative solar battery storage solution like EcoFlow PowerOcean is that it allows consumers to expand their capacity over time. For example, the entry-level product has one 5kWh LFP battery. Due to its modular design, the system is expandable to 45kWh in 5kWh increments. You can add solar batteries as electricity storage needs grow or as budget allows.

Solar battery installation is straightforward in new PV + storage systems. However, retrofitting AC or DC-coupled solar batteries to an existing grid-tied can be significantly more challenging unless you opt for EcoFlow PowerOcean DC Fit.

Here are some solar battery installation tips.

As a general rule, newer solar battery chemistries like lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4/LFP) require virtually no routine maintenance if installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lead acid batteries, on the other hand, require regular maintenance and use to optimise cycle life and performance. For example, you may need to routinely top up the liquid in a traditional lead acid.

Newer valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) solar batteries — frequently called sealed lead acid or “deep cycle” batteries — are less hassle. Still, both AGM and Gel variants need more attention than lithium-based chemistries like Li-ion and LFP.

Regardless of which solar battery chemistry, here are some maintenance tips.

• Temperature: All batteries are sensitive to extreme cold and heat. Charging, discharging, and storing solar batteries at room temperature delivers optimal results. Special care must be taken with traditional Li-ion batteries, which are at risk of thermal runaway in extreme heat. Innovative technology like EcoFlow’s PowerOcean solar batteries offer built-in heating to optimise performance in temperatures as low as -20° C.
• Weatherproofing: Do not store or operate solar batteries in conditions that exceed their IP rating for water and dust resistance. Unless expressly stated by the manufacturer, solar batteries should be kept indoors, dry, and in a relatively clean environment at around 20° C for safety and optimal performance.
• Depth of Discharge: Do not overcharge or discharge your solar battery beyond the manufacturer’s suggested depth of discharge. If you do, the damage may be permanently damaged. In some systems, overcharging batteries can be hazardous.
• Routine Maintenance: Lithium-ion and LFP batteries generally don’t require regular maintenance. Lead acid batteries typically do. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Electric vehicles (EVs) require a significant amount of electricity to charge.

Many home battery systems, especially portable solutions, lack the AC output and storage capacity to provide a useful charge for EVs.

However, there are exceptions.

A hybrid solar + home battery storage solution like EcoFlow PowerOcean can output up to 12kW of 3-phase electricity.

With the right adapter or home charger for the specific EV, EcoFlow PowerOcean can provide Level 1 charging or up to 12kW of Level 2 EV charging.

Level 3 (DC Fast/Supercharging) is not available at home.

By integrating EcoFlow PowerOcean or PowerOcean DC Fit solar batteries with home wiring and the power grid, solar panels can generate a significant portion of the electricity required to charge an EV fully.

The short answer is no.

While there are many government incentives for solar panels and other balance-of-system components, solar batteries alone don’t qualify for any currently available subsidies.

Here’s a list of the solar incentives currently available for eligible individuals and households.

More homeowners than ever are looking to generate electricity with solar panels.

With extreme weather events occurring ever more frequently and National Grid infrastructure ageing, even early adopters of residential solar panel systems are increasingly concerned about energy security and considering adding solar battery storage.

EcoFlowPowerOcean and PowerOcean DC Fit offer hybrid solar solutions to customers looking for new PV systems or retrofitting a grid-tied system with storage.

Contact us today if you’re a homeowner shopping for a residential PV system or a professional installer

seeking to partner with us and offer EcoFlow’s award-winning solar power solutions to your clients.