How to Safely Store a Solar Battery

From tackling rising electricity costs to promoting energy independence, solar panels offer a variety of benefits that make them a great investment for Australian householders – not to mention their positive impact on climate change!

Investing in high-quality solar battery storage can help you get the most out of your existing solar system, ensuring a consistent energy output no matter the weather. This is because solar batteries keep the sun shining all year round, which is particularly beneficial through the night and during those slightly cloudier days.

However, to continue working effectively, solar batteries must be properly protected from harsh weather conditions, which is where quality solar battery storage comes in. Keep reading to discover where’s best to install a solar battery and how it can help you fully reap the benefits of your existing solar system.

What is a Solar Battery?

Solar batteries are a type of storage system that holds any excess power generated from solar panels, which are also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels.

These systems are particularly beneficial on sunny days when solar energy generation is at its peak. Rather than letting this energy go to waste or sending it straight to the electricity grid, solar batteries store the energy for future use, particularly on cloudier days, throughout the winter, or during a power outage.

This helps to reduce your reliance on the electricity grid during those times when the sun isn’t shining so strongly. Not only is this great for the environment, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimise climate change, but stored solar power can also allow you to save significant money on your energy bills.

The amount of energy stored depends on key factors such as battery capacity – the higher the capacity, the longer the solar battery can be used as a backup, for instance.

Where Should Solar Batteries Be Stored?

A solar battery system can be installed either indoors or outdoors, as long as it complies with Clean Energy Council regulations. A CEC-accredited installer should be aware of these solar and battery system storage requirements and can advise you on the best location for your home.

However, where most solar batteries can be safely stored depends on the following factors:

Solar Battery Type

Lithium-ion solar batteries are among the most commonly used in energy storage systems. Due to their narrower temperature operating range, they can be negatively impacted by extreme heat or cold, so are typically more suited to indoor installation.

As well as being protected from the elements, a lithium-ion battery system should be kept in a cool, dry area that’s well-ventilated and shielded from sunlight to avoid excessive heat and humidity.

Flooded lead acid solar batteries shouldn’t be stored indoors as they release highly explosive hydrogen gas. Instead, keep them in a cool, dry, vented enclosure, with good-quality foam insulation to protect the battery from low temperatures during the colder months.

Like lithium-ion batteries, a sealed lead acid solar battery is also safe to store indoors. This battery type can become frozen at lower temperatures compared with flooded batteries, so should be kept well-insulated too.

Ingress Protection (IP) Rating

An IP rating shows how much moisture, dust, dirt, and other foreign objects certain devices will keep out, including everything from mobile phones and CCTV to solar batteries.

Each IP rating consists of two numbers: the first indicates the level of dust protection, while the second shows how much water can get inside the device.

For instance, if the second digit is 0, then the solar battery offers no protection against water, meaning that it shouldn’t be stored outside. However, a rating of 6 suggests that limited ingress is permitted, with the battery system being protected against strong jets of water.

Your Location

If you live near the beach, in a climate with heavy rainfall, or within a region featuring consistent sunshine, your solar battery is likely to be better off inside.

Exposing solar battery systems to harsh outdoor conditions can cause the wiring and internal components to degrade quickly, particularly in extreme temperatures. This means that the lifespan won’t be as long as it should be.

Your location can also affect whether your solar battery should be mounted on the wall or left as a floor-standing system. Wall mounting is a popular choice for those living in flood-prone areas, while heavier battery systems benefit more from ground-level installation.

Available Space

For homes with plenty of indoor space, storing solar and battery systems inside is often the most effective option. This will keep the solar batteries protected from the outdoor elements, including weather, animals, and debris that may interfere with its operation.

Most solar batteries are suitable for outdoor storage as long as they are properly insulated and protected with weatherproof enclosures or cabinets. When it comes to enclosure or cabinet storage, you may also need to invest in ventilation and additional cooling mechanisms to prevent heat or humidity from building up.

Where Can’t Solar Batteries Be Stored Indoors?

If you do decide that indoors is the most appropriate location for your solar and battery systems, there are a few places that should be avoided for safety reasons.

The CEC AS/NZS 5139:2019 standard states that solar batteries shouldn’t be installed in these locations:

• Roofs (unless deemed suitable)
• Ceiling spaces
• Wall cavities
• Evacuation or escape routes
• Under access walkways
• Under stairways
• Under floors of habitable rooms (bedrooms, kitchens, family rooms, and dining rooms)
• Within 600m of any exit, vertical side of a window, building ventilation, or appliance
• Within 900mm below any of the above

You can opt for indoor storage if you have a sufficient amount of space in non-habitable rooms, such as garages. Ensure that you take proper fire safety precautions by installing a fire-resistant enclosure in your garage and avoid placing any flammable materials near the battery systems.

Enjoy the Benefits of Solar and Battery Systems Today

At Volteam, our solar battery installation services can help you maximise the benefits of your solar panel system, ensuring that any excess power generated doesn’t go to waste. Track your stored energy in real time and enjoy full control over your property’s power usage with the best solar batteries in Australia. 

Using solar batteries from trusted brands, including Tesla, LG, Tindo, Sonnen, General Electric, Sungrow, and more, we’re focused on providing reliable and long-lasting renewable energy solutions. All of our work is also carried out by CEC-accredited installers and highly qualified electrical technicians to ensure seamless integration into your existing solar system.

Our electrical experts are here to guide you every step of the way, from choosing quality solar battery storage and installation to professional compliance testing for electrical safety and beyond.

Call us today at 1300 865 832 or fill out our questionnaire online to get a free, no-obligation quote for your solar battery installation.