Backup Batteries: These are designed to kick in when the grid power goes out, providing your home with electricity from stored solar energy. They ensure that critical systems like lighting, refrigeration, and medical equipment remain operational during power cuts.

Non-Backup Batteries: These focus on energy storage for self-consumption, helping to optimize your solar energy use by storing excess daytime production for use at night or during periods of low solar generation. They do not automatically switch to power your home during a grid outage.

Partial Home Backup: This setup powers only essential circuits during an outage, like lights, outlets, or medical equipment. It's typically less expensive since it requires fewer batteries and less complex installation.

Whole Home Backup: This option aims to keep your entire home running during an outage, which requires more batteries and a more comprehensive system setup. It's ideal for those who want to maintain full functionality during power disruptions.

SolarEdge and Enphase Batteries: Available as both backup and non-backup options, these provide flexibility in how you use your stored solar energy. They integrate well with solar inverters from the same brands, offering seamless system operation.

Franklin Batteries: Offered exclusively as backup options, these are designed for reliability during power outages.

System Production: Start by understanding your solar system's output. If your system produces 10 kWh per day, and you want to store half of this for nighttime use, you'd need batteries with at least 5 kWh capacity.

Daily Energy Consumption: Analyze your daily energy usage. If you consume 30 kWh daily and aim for full backup, you'll need batteries that can store this amount, considering efficiency losses.

Desired Backup Duration: For backup, decide how long you want to power your home during an outage. A rule of thumb is to have enough capacity for 24-48 hours of essential power.

Battery Efficiency: Remember that not all stored energy is usable. For instance, if a battery has an efficiency of 90%, you'll need slightly more capacity to meet your needs.
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Standard Installation: Batteries are typically installed outside the home on a wall, ensuring they are out of the living space and easily accessible for maintenance.

Alternative Installations: If wall space is limited, we might install batteries on a concrete pedestal. In some cases, installation in the garage might be necessary, which could involve additional costs for safety measures like heat alarms or bollards to protect the battery from accidental impacts.
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Battery Size: SolarEdge batteries range from 5 kWh to 10 kWh per unit, Enphase from 3.3 kWh to 13.2 kWh, and Franklin batteries typically start at around 10 kWh. The exact size and number will depend on your energy needs.

Gateway for Backup: For backup functionality, a gateway is essential. This device manages the transition from grid power to battery power during outages, ensuring a seamless power supply.

Integrated Monitoring: With SolarEdge and Enphase, battery monitoring often comes integrated with the inverter monitoring, providing a unified view of your system's performance.

Separate Monitoring: Franklin batteries require a separate app and monitoring system, offering detailed insights into battery health and performance.
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Self-Consumption Mode: Prioritizes using stored energy to reduce grid dependency.

Backup Mode: Switches to battery power during grid outages.

Time-of-Use Mode: Stores energy when it's cheap or abundant and uses it when grid electricity is expensive or solar production is low.

Grid Support Mode: Some systems can participate in grid stabilization by providing energy back to the grid during peak demand.

A: Currently, Better Earth only installs batteries as part of new solar projects. However, we plan to offer battery-only installations for existing Better Earth customers this year, with a broader rollout to follow.
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A: Most solar batteries, like those from SolarEdge, Enphase, and Franklin, have a lifespan of 10-15 years, depending on usage patterns and maintenance.

A: Regular software updates via the monitoring system, keeping the area around the battery clean, and ensuring it's not exposed to extreme temperatures are key. Professional checks are recommended every few years.

A: It might. Always inform your insurance provider about the installation as it could affect your policy. Some insurers might offer discounts for the added resilience.

A: Yes, most modern solar batteries, especially lithium-ion types, can be recycled. Better Earth works with certified recyclers to ensure environmentally responsible disposal at the end of the battery's life.

A: Better Earth provides warranty coverage on all installed batteries. In case of failure, we'll replace or repair the unit under warranty terms, ensuring minimal disruption to your energy supply.