How to choose the best commercial solar battery system for small businesses?

Commercial solar installations are driving a new era of energy independence for businesses worldwide.

In 2022, global spending on small-scale solar systems – including small business systems – hit $120 billion. That's a 50% increase from the previous year. 

As businesses continue to invest in solar, many are realizing that installing solar panels alone isn't enough to unlock the technology's full potential. That's where battery storage comes in.

Adding battery storage to your solar system means you can store excess energy for when you need it most – during peak hours, overnight, or even during a power outage.

The tricky bit is, not all commercial solar battery storage systems are built the same.

To choose the very best possible battery for your business, you'll need to weigh up factors like capacity, efficiency, lifespan, and how it integrates with your existing setup. It's easy to feel dazzled by all the options. 

This guide will walk you through the essentials, from understanding battery technologies to evaluating installation options, so you can make the perfect choice. If you are looking for large-scale commercial solutions, check out this blog.

What are commercial solar battery systems?

Without a battery system, any extra energy your solar panels generate during the day is simply lost.

You might often find yourself generating power when you don't need it, and relying on the grid when you do. Essentially, without a battery, you're at the mercy of the sun – you can't bottle up excess energy and store it for later.

A commercial solar battery system changes all of that. It captures the surplus energy your solar panels produce and stores it, so it's available whenever you need it – at night, during peak demand hours, or in a power outage. 

Here's what makes up a standard solar storage system:

• Solar panels: These collect sunlight and convert it into electricity during the day.

• Charge controller: A regulator that controls the flow of power to the battery, ensuring it doesn't overcharge or get damaged.

• Inverter: A key component that transforms the stored DC power from the battery into AC power, which your business systems and appliances can use.

• Battery bank: The storage unit where excess energy is saved for later use. 

Together, these components offer control over your energy usage. It's the key to making your solar investment work harder and smarter.

The benefits of a commercial battery storage system

Investing in a commercial solar battery system can provide a host of tangible benefits that can improve your bottom line, enhance your sustainability efforts, and boost your brand image.

Let's take a closer look at some of the key benefits of investing in a solar battery:

Maximizing your solar investment

One of the most obvious benefits of adding battery storage to your solar setup is saving money. Some studies show that a well-designed battery system can reduce your electricity costs by up to 75% – and there are a few different ways this is achieved. 

First, instead of losing any excess energy, a battery allows you to store it for when your panels aren't producing energy – at night, during cloudy weather, or during outages. Essentially, you'll pay less for your electricity overall.

Additionally, battery storage grants you control over how and when you use grid power. This is especially valuable if your utility company uses time-of-use (TOU) rates, which charge higher prices during peak hours or peak demand structure that charges based on the highest amount of power consumed by the business during the day.

With commercial battery storage, you'll draw power from the grid when it's at its cheapest (e.g., morning, night) and switch to solar when it's more expensive (in the day and evening), further compounding your savings. 

Maintaining operations during outages

Power outages can be incredibly disruptive and costly for businesses, especially those that rely on a steady electricity supply to keep their operations running.

A commercial battery system provides a critical backup power source, allowing you to keep the lights on, computers humming, and production lines moving even when the grid goes down.

You can rest assured that your business can maintain continuity during unexpected blackouts or planned grid maintenance, particularly in areas where grid coverage is low or infrastructure is unreliable. 

Enhancing your sustainability credentials

Demonstrating a commitment to renewable energy and sustainability can unlock a competitive advantage, signaling your company's environmental leadership.

Illustrating your investment in clean energy technology can enhance your brand reputation, appeal to socially conscious consumers and employees, and demonstrate your proactive stance on environmental issues.

This offers both short-term marketing benefits and long-term strategic value. 

Increasing your property value

Beyond operational and financial advantages, installing a commercial solar-plus-storage system can also increase the overall value of your property.

Savvy buyers recognize the benefits of on-site renewable energy generation and backup power and may be willing to pay a premium for a building equipped with these features.

This confers an often-overlooked but potentially lucrative perk that contributes to solar's short and mid-term cost savings.

Important factors to consider when choosing your commercial battery storage system

Let's move on to discuss how to choose a battery that suits your business, from selecting the right capacity and power output to understanding battery technologies and installation factors.

Here are the essential factors you'll need to take into account:

Battery capacity and power output

First of all, you'll need to determine your solar power storage battery's ideal capacity and power output.

There's no hard and fast rule here, but as a rough guideline, most small to medium-sized businesses will do well with a battery bank in the range of 20-100 kWh.

The battery system's maximum power output, measured in kilowatts (kW), is also an important specification. This determines how much electricity the system can deliver at any given moment. Thus, it should comfortably match or exceed the total of your facility's equipment and machinery.

While you can roughly calculate capacity and power output by examining your electricity usage and estimating your peak demand, many choose to work with an experienced installer. They'll conduct a detailed assessment of your facility and energy demands to match the battery to your requirements.

Battery type

While lead-acid batteries have been the traditional choice for decades, forward-thinking businesses and homeowners alike are now turning to lithium-ion battery technology, particularly newer lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) variants.

LiFePO4 batteries offer superior safety, longevity, and performance across a wide temperature range, all vital for commercial applications.

They also boast a much higher energy density than lead-acid, meaning they can store more power in a smaller footprint.

Add the fact they boast a longer lifespan – often 5,000 to 10,000 charge cycles – and you can see why LiFePO4 is fast becoming the most popular solar battery technology around. 

Location and space requirements

Battery systems require a dedicated, well-ventilated space to operate safely and efficiently.

Normally, batteries are either floor-standing or wall-mounted, so ensure you have enough space or walls with sufficient load-bearing capacity. Don't forget to seek help from professional installers to plan the system based for your entire setup.

Consider both indoor and outdoor installation possibilities to find the best fit for your facility.

Safety and certifications

Battery safety is a top priority for businesses and homeowners alike. Look for units offering robust safety features, such as overcharge/discharge protection, short-circuit prevention, and thermal runaway mitigation.

Verify that your chosen system meets all relevant safety standards and offers industry-standard certifications, such as UL, CE, or IEC.

Cost and incentives

Evaluating the total cost of ownership is essential when selecting a battery system.

Factor in the initial purchase price, installation costs, ongoing maintenance, and eventual replacement – as well as any potential uplift in your property's value.

Research any available federal, state, or local incentives that could help offset the upfront investment and improve your return on investment (ROI). 

Maintenance and warranty

Aim for a low-maintenance battery system backed by a comprehensive warranty to protect your investment for years to come. The best battery manufacturers offer battery warranties for up to 10 years.

Features like remote monitoring and automatic system updates can also help minimize the time and effort required for operation and maintenance.

Explore Hoymiles low-voltage solar battery for modern small businesses

If you're searching for the perfect solar battery system for your business, look no further than the Hoymiles LB-5D-G2 series. 

Boasting leading LiFePO4 battery technology, solid safety, and intelligent monitoring features via S-Miles Cloud, the LB-5D-G2 series offers a flexible, high-performance solution designed to suit commercial solar installations.

Head here to learn more about how the LB-5D-G2 series can power your business's renewable energy future. The battery is now available in APAC.

LB-G2 Battery