Shining a light on residential PV batteries
Homeowners have the ability to make a real difference in South Africa’s energy landscape, with every residential PV system installed helping alleviate strain on the aged, inefficient national grid and bringing the country closer to its green energy goals.
However, even though uptake has been strong for the last few years, there are a few things still holding people back from transitioning to solar power — and one of them is a lack of understanding about PV batteries.
As such, to avoid any obstacles from getting in the way of the national (and global) journey towards a more sustainable future, we are here to tell you all about these handy energy storage solutions, dispelling some misconceptions, and direct you towards a trusted manufacturer that specialises in them: Pylontech!
How battery modules really work
PV systems without energy storage work like this: solar panels collect energy from the sun and an inverter converts it into usable electricity. These systems can generate more power than is required to fuel the average household, so excess supplies are sent back to the national grid. When we add a battery into the mix, things look slightly different…
Instead of energy flowing directly to the inverter, it goes to a battery, where it is stored until it is ready for use, and then to the inverter. So, homeowners get a bank of ready-to-use solar power for when new solar power (or at least, a sufficient amount of it) cannot be produced, like at night.
Many people think that investing in a more extensive PV system with energy storage is not financially viable for homeowners. But whilst these systems will incur more upfront costs than a smaller, battery-free one, they promise significant savings, with no fluctuating energy bills to pay each month.
Plus, many experts believe homeowners will save the amount they spent on purchasing them in under 10 years. For example, the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA) estimates the payback period of a PV system with 9.6kW of storage to be 8.7 years — well before the warranty period ends for many high-quality batteries.
Still, even if money was no object, some homeowners are also hesitant to install a PV system with energy storage due to concerns that their rooftops are not ideally orientated. Yet, even though south-facing roofs get the most sun exposure throughout the day, solar power is still an option for those with east-west roofs, as they still receive good morning and evening sun.
It is just a case of finding the most cost-effective, efficient products…
Pylontech’s energy storage solutions
Pylontech has 20 years of experience in the PV battery industry, so it knows a thing or two about residential energy storage — and the products required to ensure the best performance for all homeowners.
The Pylontech US2000C and US3000C, 2.4kWh and 3.5kWh models, are low-voltage PV batteries with their own lithium-ion phosphate cells providing the highest safety value and most promising life cycle. These batteries boast a 95% depth of discharge (DoD), which ensures maximum efficiency, and benefits from a warranty of up to 10 years with the warranty extension. So, homeowners can get the most out of their solar power supply.
This manufacturer also offers two ‘UP’ batteries. The first, the UP2500, comes with a modular design for ease of expansion and a parallel capability of up to 20 units, allowing homeowners to achieve a bigger, better PV system should their energy requirements demand it. What’s more, it boasts a 15-year design life — making it a worthwhile long-term investment.
The second battery, the UP5000, is also expandable. It offers a high usable capacity that reduces the number of units required per installation, resulting in cost savings at the point of installation, and is equipped with a built-in battery management system (BMS) that protects battery cells from common causes of damage. Less chance of damage means a lower likelihood of maintenance or replacements, further reducing system costs!
Each battery helps homeowners maximise solar power supplies without breaking the bank, making them an asset to any residential PV system.
To learn more about Pylontech’s batteries, browse the manufacturer’s full portfolio on our portal today. Simply log in or sign up for free.