If you are thinking about using solar power for part or all of your home, one of the things you need to consider is how to store the energy the panels create. The most common, and easiest option is with batteries. However, not all solar battery storage units are equal. You need to do a bit of research to find the right type for what you need. The first step is to decide what is the most important aspect of storing solar power. Here is a bit of information to get you started. 

Power Rating

The higher the power rating the greater the area you can power. If you want to be able to use electricity throughout your whole house all at once, you want a high power rating. The kilowatts available for use in a battery let you know how many things they can power at once. There is also a rating for kilowatts on-demand, meaning the battery can supply bursts of power for short periods of time. Make sure to check the instantaneous power rating and the continuous power rating to get what you need.

Storage Capacity

A battery's storage capacity tells you how much energy it can hold. This is measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh). You will need to compare this with the amount of energy you use daily. Then, determine how many days' worth of energy you want to have stored at any given time. If you live in a very sunny area you will need less storage than in a place where it is frequently overcast.

Round-Trip Efficiency

The round-trip efficiency tells you how much energy needs to be put into the battery in regards to how much electricity it can then produce. Unfortunately, some electricity will be lost in the battery and will not be usable for your home. This will help you determine how much storage capacity will be needed. If the battery has a lower round-trip efficiency, you will need more batteries to achieve the same power.

While some of these requirements are easy to calculate, it is always best to talk things over with a professional. Companies that provide solar battery storage installation can help you choose the best batteries for your needs. Once you have decided on the batteries, they will construct the holding area for the batteries, set them up, and connect them to your solar panels and your home's electrical system. 

Contact a local solar company, such as Harmon Solar, to learn more.