As a newer technology, many homeowners and businesses are still coming to terms with battery storage. People worry about everything from cost to safety, and some rule it out based on hearsay and rumor.
Fortunately, this guide can help. In it, we explain the top five myths about battery storage and some surprising facts that prove they’re false. With this information, you can make a more informed decision about your next steps.
Myth 1: Battery Storage Is Expensive
Reality: Battery storage costs are falling fast, and the popular culture is yet to catch up.
The first myth is that battery storage is expensive. This idea comes from the early days of electric vehicles (back in the mid-2010s) when the main expense in constructing the car was the battery.
However, the reality is different. The price of lithium batteries is plummeting, with wholesale costs per cell dropping substantially (depending on supplier and location). This fall in prices is why so many legacy vehicle manufacturers are shifting to electric vehicles and certain electric vehicles are much cheaper than a comparable gas model; it is now economical. Due to the general demand for technology the same trends are underway in the solar battery storage market. Lithium cell production is falling in costs, thanks to advancements in design, material usage, and manufacturing.
The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (ITC) can reduce battery storage expenses further. These savings can be as much as 30%, improving the financial case even more.
Myth 2: Battery Storage Systems Are Complex
Reality: Battery storage is simple to install with professional support.
Battery storage being too complex is another common myth. Many homeowners and small business operators assume it isn’t for average users (like them).
However, that’s not true either. Many battery systems are “plug-and-play,” meaning that, once installed, owners don’t need to do any further work. Moreover, they have intelligent onboard software that allows them to sense how much energy to supply to the grid and what they should do next. User-friendly web-based dashboards or mobile apps are great for simple control and monitoring, with ongoing support and visibility from the manufacturer and even installer.
Myth 3: Batteries Are Short-Lived
Reality: Lithium technology is mature, with many systems lasting 20 years or more.
Short lifespans are another battery storage myth. Many believe cells don’t last very long, perhaps 3 to 5 years before requiring replacement.
This idea comes from bitter experience with first-generation technologies, where the cathode or the anode would grow into the electrolyte, pierce it, and reduce the capacity. However, new manufacturing processes lower these risks.
Myth 4: Battery Storage Is Unsafe
Reality: New battery storage systems come fully tested and approved by technicians, reducing the risk of fires.
The idea that cells are unsafe is another energy storage misconception. People remember images of electric vehicles burning in parking lots and assume that the same could occur in their homes. However, many of these stories later turn out to be untrue. If there are issues, they usually relate to outdated technology.
Fortunately, the ESS truth is getting out. These days, solar storage systems have:
- Thermal management features that prevent runaway overheating
- Overcharge protection on units with smart cut-outs
- Durable, fire-resistant enclosures
- Onboard fire suppression systems and mitigation technology
While the risk of fires breaking out isn’t zero, it is low. Systems should abide by UL 9540 standards, and installers must undergo extensive training to ensure safe installation.
Myth 5: Battery Storage Provides No Benefits
Reality: Battery storage protects the grid and allows homeowners and business operators to avoid export limits.
Finally, some believe battery storage offers no benefits once solar panels are in place. They think the energy stored is a trivial quantity or that they can’t use it to sell to the grid.
Both of these assertions are untrue. Battery storage provides a lifeline during grid-down situations while also collecting excess solar energy during the day, ready to use at night or sell to carriers when export limits are no longer in place.
Furthermore, battery storage can:
- Make better use of solar panel investments by ensuring greater cash flow
- Reduce reliance on mains power during the evening or night
- Shrink your carbon footprint substantially
Now You Know The Top Battery Storage Myths
With some solid solar battery facts behind you, you should feel more confident going out and buying battery storage. Modern systems are safer and more reliable than anything that’s come before.
