Home Battery Backup Systems, Part 2: Modern Systems and Equipment – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Product Guide

How traditional and modular battery systems work, how to size them correctly, and what to expect from performance, safety, and cost

Note: This is part two of a four-part series on the basic parts and pieces of home battery backup systems, and what to look for when buying one. Part three will include our recent personal experience installing and using one of these systems.

As discussed in part one of this series, there are several types of home backup battery systems: traditional, modular, plug-in solar, and manual backup from a portable power station. In this article we will go into detail with traditional and modular systems, and in part four, we will dive into portable power and plug-in solar.

Traditional systems

If you buy your system from a solar or renewable energy installation company, they’ll most likely recommend a traditional model. They’ll work with you to calculate your watt-hour storage needs, inverter size, and other customizations for your home. They also ensure that the equipment is certified for your state, compatible with the condition of your home’s electrical system, and complies with necessary permits.

Because these systems are so complex, it’s wise to find a company that’s well established in the community. “If they’ve been around longer than their warranty, they are doing something right,” says Sequoya Cross, VP of energy storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. Also, “I would be wary of an installer offering only one option, as they may have a cookie-cutter approach to installing systems.”

Don’t be shy to ask questions, especially about why the installer is recommending a certain system, what the comparable costs per kilowatt-hour (kWh) are between the systems offered, and what the expected cost is per kWh over the warranty period (aka the throughput or levelized cost of energy). It’s also fine to request specific brands, though keep an open mind and…