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People like to use solar batteries in residential and commercial premises because it is easy to use and affordable. How can you save money on electricity bills and assure 24/7 electricity by creating a power reservoir with solar batteries? How many batteries do you need to power your house? There is no direct answer to this question. You have to read this article to understand the facts and reasons behind the battery setup.

The Number of Batteries Depends on Your Requirements

For example, if you need a 10 kWh power battery, then two 1000ah batteries should be used during the power outage. If you want to use it as a power backup then a maximum of 5 batteries are enough. However, if you want it as an alternative source of power, then you have to install 15-20 batteries on your premises. 

That means it depends on your expectations and requirements. You can optimize the power supply with on-grid and off-grid power chains. We can divide the requirements into three parts: backup power, alternative power, and fully optimized power.

Use a Solar Battery as Backup Power

Many residential and commercial property owners use solar batteries as an alternative to the power supply. It means that during a power outage or grid failure, batteries supply power to all the appliances. A single battery is enough if you want to run a few things on your commercial premises, but to run the full system, you need at least 5 batteries that could help you to run your business for more than 48 hours.

You can use a solar inverter for residential premises, and one lithium-ion battery (7kWh-10kWh) is enough to use as a backup power supply during outrages.

Battery as an Alternative power

For this, you need to understand the electricity rate. If it has several slabs and variable rates, then you can use an on-grid power supply when the slab rate is low. When it rises, you should switch to the solar power supply. Though it is hard to point out, if you follow this, you can save a good amount of money on electricity bills.

If you want to save the most by switching to solar cells, then you should invest an amount as an upfront cost of buying several batteries so that they can supply energy for a few days. I think 5 standard Lithium-ion batteries are enough to work as an alternative to the on-grid power supply. You have to install solar panels to maximize the potential of this system. 

Fully-optimized Solar Battery

If you do not want to get a power supply and use the solar system as an upgraded supply of utility, use at least 15 Lithium-ion batteries to run your residential or commercial premises. Besides that, you have to invest in a few solar panels. 

Please note that the main determining factor of how many solar batteries you need is the units you are using and how long you want to stay off-grid.

Many commercial premises use hydropower and solar power as an alternative to coal energy. They do not pay huge electricity bills. Solar panels may not work in winter or cloudy areas. In that case, it may create a problem, and you need to invest in more batteries. That is why many people use hydropower systems which are costly to install. 

How to Calculate the Number of Batteries

Our energy usage is different, so there is no single thumb rule for calculating the number of batteries for your needs. Using a power reservoir is a great resource for your premises. However, when you are wondering about how many batteries and panels you need to go completely off-grid. You should understand the following calculation.

Whether you are using it as alternative battery power, backup power, or a fully optimized grid system, you have to take note of the following things-

• The number of appliances you have to use for a certain time.
• The power the appliances consume.
• How long do you need batteries as a backup source?
• Compatibility and power of the battery.
• The on-grid electricity charges.
• The amount you have to invest in installing such a system on your premises.

Now you can calculate the number of batteries (and the storage) you need by multiplying the electricity demand for the appliances. You can calculate it properly, but you need to add two more batteries to extend the lifespan of your system. 

Please note that some appliances such as washing machines are used only once a week or a day. That means you can estimate the total storage unit to run appliances in a week which is 500w for washing machines, 3000w for air conditioners, and another 2000w for refrigerators, lights, and other appliances. That means you need at least 6kW-8kW of electricity. In this way, you can calculate how many solar batteries you need to fulfill your purposes. 

Factors that Determine Solar Battery System and Usage

Certain factors determine how many solar batteries you need: the power supply, consumption of electricity, electricity rate, and your understanding of the usage. 

Electricity Consumption

The refrigerator, dishwasher, television, computers, air conditioner, and other electrical appliances consume electricity on an hourly basis. You need to understand the electricity load to design storage for your premises. In residential premises, one Lithium-ion solar battery is enough to supply power as a backup to on-grid electricity.

Source of Recharging the Battery

You can recharge the battery in two ways. Either you can use on-grid electricity or install solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight. Most people prefer the second option because if they are using a solar battery (an alternative to coal energy), why should they use the on-grid power? You can install solar panels on the rooftop to generate electricity during the daytime through a photovoltaic system. 

Besides that, it is also important to calculate how much electricity the solar panel can generate and how much energy solar batteries can save. That is why if you are a residential or commercial property owner and want to use solar energy as an alternative to a grid power supply, then you should consult with an expert to design your solar system installation and the benefits of the setup.

Your Requirements

You have to understand your requirements, and the above calculation will help you to calculate the number of batteries that match your need. Consult with an expert to understand how many solar panels you need to generate a certain amount of electricity during daytime.

Calculate the ROI

Lastly, you have to calculate the return on investment. Indeed the ROI will be positive in the long term because it needs a good investment to install a solar setup for your commercial premises. If you are a residential property owner, you do not have to invest such an amount. Calculate how much amount to invest and how much you will save by choosing this alternative option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you have learned about the battery unit and how to calculate the overall power usage. You also learn how to optimize your solar battery to save in the long term. Now it is time to consult with an expert before buying a solar battery.