Energy Storage | Solar Battery Storage in Scotland | Arbory Electrical Contractors (AEC)

Introduction to Solar Battery Storage

There are a wide range of products and brands on the market and it can be daunting trying to identify what battery is the right one for your home. At AEC we have over 10 years of experience in renewable energy and we are here to give you all the information and support that you need.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a consultation to discuss things in detail, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at AEC.

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Professional Solar Battery Suppliers

We are a fully accredited Solar Photovoltaic G98-1 & G99-1 installer, specialising in the maintenance and repair of Solar PV Systems of all sizes and re-investment in existing systems, primarily by introducing Lithium-Ion battery bank storage.

Types of Solar Battery Storage

There are a number of solar batteries on the market. The three most popular products are:

Lead Acid

One of the first types of battery on the market. Lead acid batteries are a dependable product often found in Australia on off grid systems. However, more technologically advanced batteries with longer warranties and lower pricing are overtaking lead acid.

Saltwater

Saltwater batteries are another entrant to the solar battery market and utilise an electrolyte solution rather than any heavy metals. Only a handful of companies use this technology, and its use in residential homes is quite rare.

Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion batteries are the newest product on the market and are fast becoming the most popular type of battery on the market. Lithium-ion offers a number of benefits, and this is what we specialise in, here at AEC.

Commercial Solar Battery Storage in Scotland and UK

The Benefits of Lithium-ion Solar Battery Storage

Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of solar battery in the UK and it is for good reason. Although more expensive, lithium-ion batteries have a number of advantages including:

A high depth of discharge – Lead acid batteries have a depth of discharge around 50%. For lithium-ion it is around 80%.
Efficiency – Lead acid batteries have an efficiency of 80-85% whilst lithium-ion batteries are upwards of 95%.
A long lifespan – The average lithium-ion battery lasts for at least 7 years, whereas lead acid batteries normally last for 2 years.
A compact design – Sleek and lighter, lithium-ion batteries are easier to move, transport and install.
Safety and maintenance – Lithium-ion batteries are safe and maintenance free.

* Source : EESI (Enviromental and Energy Study Institute)

Experienced With Solar Energy Systems

Our significant experience in the solar sector means that we have worked on all types of systems in a variety of properties. However large your property or unique your circumstances, we will have come across a similar situation before and we will be able to find the perfect solar battery storage for your home.

What to Consider When Buying A Solar Battery

There are a number of things to contemplate when deciding on the right battery storage for your home.
This includes:

Depth of Discharge

Most solar batteries need to retain some charge to function properly and so using 100% of a charge will significantly shorten your battery’s lifespan. Most manufacturers will specify the maximum depth of discharge, and a higher depth of discharge means you can utilise more of your battery’s capacity.

Round Trip Efficiency

This represents the energy used for your battery to function. For example, if you feed 10kWh into a battery and get 8kWh back, the battery would have an efficiency of 80%. The higher the round trip efficiency – the better value you will get.

Lifespan

Batteries will become less efficient at charging as time goes on, and different brands will have different lifespans, with warranties that reflect this.

DC Coupled System or AC Coupled System?

When you have decided on the right battery, you will have to think about the way it is wired into your property – whether it is AC (Alternating Current) coupled or DC (Direct Current) coupled. What is right for you will depend on your current home system.

AC Coupled System

AC Coupled Solar Battery Storage in Scotland and UK

Solar panels generate DC electricity, and solar batteries store electricity in DC form, however all home appliances use AC electricity. So, in an AC coupled system the electricity will need to be inverted (converted) as it passes through the solar panel into the home and then inverted again as it passes into the battery. When it is time to use this energy, it will need to be inverted again from the battery into the home.

DC Coupled System

In a DC coupled system, electricity will flow from the solar panels into the battery and will only be inverted once from the battery into the home.

As you can imagine, this inversion, makes an AC coupled system slightly less efficient. However, if you already have an AC coupled system it will be expensive switching everything to a DC coupled system. Both systems have their drawbacks and advantages, but broadly speaking if you already have an inverter system with your panels, we would advise adding an AC coupled system.

Alternatively, if you are fitting a new solar panel system and battery, you would install a Hybrid system – Hybrid inverters combine many of the advantages offered by AC and DC coupled storage to offer a solution that is both flexible and cost-effective.

Solar Battery Storage Solutions