What is a solar battery storage system?

Solar battery storage is a device connected to solar panels to create energy reserves for later consumption. These batteries store the surplus power generated by solar panels. Therefore, connecting storage batteries with the PV system is an excellent way to fully utilize the energy of your solar panels.

The energy stored in the battery storage system powers your household and commercial appliances when solar panels cannot generate sufficient electricity at night and under low sunlight. 

In the absence of a solar battery system, all surplus energy will be automatically diverted to the grid. This means you are helping others with the power generated by your solar panels instead of taking full advantage of it yourself. 

Working of a solar battery storage system

The process starts with solar panels converting the sun’s energy to produce electricity. There are two main processes (DC and AC-coupled systems) through which energy produced by solar panels is stored in the battery storage system. Below is the step-by-step process for DC and AC-coupled systems. 

DC-coupled system 

A DC-coupled system is when the electricity produced by the solar panels flows through a charge controller and then into the batteries for storage for later use. The process for a DC-coupled system is as follows:

• Sunlight falls on the solar panels installed on the rooftop. The sun’s energy is converted to DC electricity.
• The DC power is stored in the batteries.
• When there is an electricity demand in the house, the DC power passes through an inverter to be transformed from DC to AC power so it can be used to power devices.

AC-coupled system 

An AC-coupled system is when the energy produced by solar panels first powers the loads and then charges the batteries. Any surplus is then fed to the power grid. The process for an AC-coupled system is as follows:

• Sunlight falls on the solar panel, and the energy is transformed into DC electricity
• The electricity is sent to an inverter to convert DC into AC power for home use.
• After personal use, excess energy passes through another inverter to get transformed into DC electricity so that it can be stored in the battery
• If at a later time, you need electricity stored in the battery, it must pass through the inverter again to change from direct to alternating current before use. 

Both of the systems mentioned above have their own pros and cons. Generally, a DC-coupled system is considered more efficient. Unlike an AC-coupled system, in a DC-coupled system, energy changes from DC to AC only once, which can significantly reduce power losses. As a result, the electricity available for use in the house is slightly more in this case. 

Conclusion

Solar battery storage is an excellent way to use most of the energy produced by solar panels instead of sending it to grid power. Whether you use a DC or AC-coupled system, using solar panels with battery storage allows you to get maximum return on your investment and become completely non-reliant on grid power.