There are many factors that can affect the price, but a 5 kW solar system typically costs between $5,000 and $7,000. The total cost will change depending on the required quantity and kind of panels, the inverter of your choosing, and whether or not you require battery backup. However, because batteries are still very pricey, it pays to do your research before adding battery backup. Typically, the cost of a battery system for a 5kW solar panel is between $1,300 and $2,000 per kWh. So, for a 5kW system, the total cost of battery storage may range from $7,000 to $10,000.
The components of solar system design can be influenced by a number of variables, including your individual energy needs, the quantity of sunlight your roof receives, its angle, and if it is shadowed. The inverter transforms solar energy into electrical power that may be used by your appliances.
Are Solar Batteries worth the price?
You have definitely heard about solar batteries if you have recently been seeking to install a solar panel system. Even while battery systems are becoming more and more common, many homeowners still do not have a lot of knowledge about them. You may store the energy that your solar panels generate using solar batteries. A “hybrid solar system,” which is made up of solar batteries and solar panels, has a variety of benefits, including grid independence and the availability of dependable backup power.
It is becoming more usual to combine solar panels with energy storage, but that doesn’t necessarily imply it’s the best option for everyone. Homeowners that reside in locations with frequent power outages, where full-retail net metering isn’t given, or if there are battery incentives available in their area, will profit most from installing a solar battery storage solution.
If going solar is primarily for environmental reasons, solar batteries are also fantastic because they optimize the amount of renewable energy your home uses. That is to say if you reside in a state that offers full-retail net metering, installing a battery will result in the same financial savings as doing it without one. The battery’s only purpose would be to cost your solar installation thousands of dollars more while giving you peace of mind in the case of a power loss.
How do they work?
Well, the answer to this question is simple: the excess solar energy your panels create that you do not use right away is stored in solar batteries so you can access it later. You see, the time of day when your home uses the least amount of electricity is also the period when solar panels create the greatest electricity. A typical grid-tied solar system sends the extra solar energy back to the power grid.
However, when solar panels and home batteries are used, the extra electricity is stored in the battery rather than being sent to the grid. You can then use the energy you have stored in your batteries in place of paying for electricity from the utility when the sun sets and your panels are not producing any more electricity.
Factors affecting cost difference in Solar Batteries
- Battery chemical history
Although there are many other kinds of batteries available, lithium-ion batteries are used in the majority of home systems. Nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate are the two primary lithium-ion chemistries utilized in solar batteries (LFP). Because they have been around for a little while longer than LFP batteries, like the Electriq PowerPod 2, NMC batteries, like the LG Chem Prime, are a little less expensive.
Although lead-acid batteries are less expensive than lithium-ion batteries, some homeowners prefer to use them because of their shorter lifespan, smaller capacity, and need for frequent maintenance.
- The number of installed batteries
It may seem obvious, but the cost of a solar energy storage system rises with the number of batteries installed. The number of installed batteries depends on the following factors:
- How much energy do you consume in kilowatt-hours
- The battery’s capacity for storing energy
- number of appliances you wish to power
- How long do you want your appliances to be powered?
One to two solar batteries will typically have enough energy stored in them to meet your energy needs and supply backup power to a few important circuits in the event of a power loss.
- An extra load panel
Solar batteries typically aren’t able to power your entire house. Your lights and refrigerator will continue to function, but you’ll need to add multiple batteries to have enough energy to run your air conditioner during a power outage. You may need to install a sub-panel because a battery cannot power your entire home.
This will ensure that only the most crucial components of your house will be powered by the battery in the event of a power outage. The cost of installing a sub-panel, also known as a backup load panel or a critical load panel, will increase by $1,000 to $2,000 more.
- Labor charges
The cost of a home solar battery installation will also depend on how much labor is needed to build your battery system. The electrical work and permitting for both the solar system and battery system will be finished if the battery is built concurrently with the solar panels, which could result in somewhat lower expenses.
However, if the battery is added to the solar panel system after the fact, labor could cost more as new permits will need to be filed, more incentive forms may be necessary, and some additional electrical work may need to be done to connect the battery to the existing solar panels. This is because a battery cannot power your entire home, so you might need to.
Conclusion:
The best approach to get the most out of your solar panels is to install a solar battery storage system. Since you will be using the battery instead of the grid, batteries are a great source of emergency power. They also boost your energy independence and, in some situations, can help you save more money on your monthly electric bill. Solar battery systems do, however, have a cost. Installing a solar battery may not be the best option for you if you want to reduce your electricity costs, especially if your utility offers net metering. However, if you reside in a region that frequently has blackouts, such as those in Texas and California, or anywhere where energy prices are determined by time of use, having a battery backup can help you store energy.
Contact us right away if you want to combine solar power with storage batteries to get the best installation at the lowest cost.
Solar Master Pro will answer any of your questions regarding solar energy and the batteries installation and walk you through their setup step-by-step. Then, why are you holding out? Call us right away to schedule a home consultation with one of our solar experts, or stop by our office for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is 5kW enough to run a house?
A house that needs 500 to 600 units of electricity per month can be powered by a 5KW solar system. It may also be able to partially power a residence with higher electrical needs.
Is a 5kW solar system worth it?
For anyone who wants to be environmentally friendly but lacks room, 5kW Solar Systems are ideal. You can power your home with sustainable energy using a 5 kW system while reducing your electricity costs.
What can you power with 5kW?
A 5kw solar system can power a washing machine, air conditioner, refrigerator, water heater, oven, and TV. A 5kW solar system is enough if your home has these appliances. It generates 20 kWh each day.
How many batteries do I need for 5 kW?
The majority of 5 kW off-grid solar systems use an inverter that operates between 96 and 120 volts. If your system produces 20 kilowatts per day, you require a 6 x 200ah battery bank. Less battery bank will be required as your daily energy use rises. To store any extra power that is not being used, there are batteries.
