Why do solar panels use lithium-ion batteries?

Solar panel companies almost always install lithium-ion batteries because they can store more energy, hold energy longer than other batteries, and have a higher depth of discharge. Also known as DoD, depth of discharge is the percentage to which a battery can be used, related to its total capacity.

Do solar batteries store energy for later use?

At the highest level, solar batteries store energy for later use. If you have a home solar panel system, there are a few general steps to understand: It’s first worth a quick refresher on how solar panel systems work to understand how storage works with solar panels.

Why do you need a solar battery?

A solar battery helps you use more of the solar energy you’re creating. If you don't have battery storage, any excess electricity from solar power goes to the grid. In some locations this might be the most economical way to use your solar energy.

Do you need batteries for solar energy storage?

In some cases, yes, having batteries for solar energy storage can be a valuable complement to your solar panels. Having battery storage lets you use solar power 24/7, maximize savings from your system, and have reliable power during bad weather and grid outages.

What is a solar battery?

A solar battery is a device you can add to your solar power system to store the excess electricity generated by your solar panels. You can use the stored energy to power your home at times when your solar panels don't generate enough electricity, including nights, cloudy days, and during power outages.

Are lithium-ion batteries efficient?

Lithium-ion batteries are one such technology. Although using energy storage is never 100% efficient—some energy is always lost in converting energy and retrieving it—storage allows the flexible use of energy at different times from when it was generated.