Because of Hawaii’s climate, a solar power system can pay dividends quickly. The system is powered by a battery that stores energy collected from the sun as electricity. Here’s some information about solar batteries to help you decide if this system is right for you.

A Guide to Solar Batteries

What is the most common type of solar battery?

For years, larger versions of the traditional lead-acid battery have been the most common type of storage for solar energy. These batteries are rugged, low maintenance, essentially bulletproof, and fairly inexpensive. You may be familiar with them since they power most automobiles.

What are the advantages of a lithium-ion solar battery?

Recently, lithium-ion batteries have been making inroads into the solar battery market. These are larger versions of the ones that power cell phones and laptop computers. They’re more expensive than lead-acid batteries, but they need almost no maintenance and don’t emit toxic fumes. They can also be charged and discharged more times without worrying about shortening battery life, which is a concern with the lead-acid type.

How is battery capacity measured?

Solar batteries are measured in kilowatt hours. A kilowatt hour—or a thousand watts generated for an hour—can power ten 100-watt light bulbs for one hour. A 100-kilowatt hour battery can power ten 100-watt bulbs for 100 hours.

What can you power with a solar battery?

If you install an inverter—a device that transforms DC (or battery) power to AC (or main) power—on your system, you can power most electrical devices. Just plug the device into a wall socket and turn it on, like you would if the power company was supplying electricity.

If you’re considering installing a home solar power system, contact Solar Help Hawaii in Honolulu. They’re at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology and serve customers throughout Oahu. In addition to solar panels and batteries, they also carry solar attic fans, water heaters, and pool heating systems. Call (808) 548-4357 to arrange a consultation or request a quote via their website.