Is battery cycling necessary with excess solar production?

Managing Excess Solar Production

When solar panels produce more energy than the household or business needs, it’s essential to manage this excess energy to prevent waste and ensure the system operates efficiently. One common method is to divert excess energy to a secondary load, such as a pool pump or a water heater, which can operate during the day when solar energy is abundant. This approach helps reduce reliance on the grid and saves money on utility bills.

Load Shifting Strategies

Load shifting involves shifting non-essential loads from peak hours (usually during the day) to off-peak hours when energy demand is lower. This can be achieved by using energy storage systems like batteries to store excess solar energy during the day and then using it at night or during periods of low solar production. For example, if a household has a pool pump that operates for 6 hours a day, they can shift the load to 12 hours at night, utilizing the stored energy from solar panels.

Battery Cycling Best Practices

To prevent battery degradation, it’s crucial to follow best practices for battery cycling. A general rule of thumb is to charge and discharge batteries between 20% and 80% state of charge (SOC) to maintain optimal performance. This means that if a battery has a capacity of 12 kWh, it should be charged to at least 2.4 kWh (20% of 12 kWh) and discharged to at least 9.6 kWh (80% of 12 kWh) before recharging. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid deep discharging (below 20% SOC) and overcharging (above 80% SOC), as this can cause significant battery degradation.