Are battery energy storage systems worth the cost?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are becoming essential in the shift towards renewable energy, providing solutions for grid stability, energy management, and power quality. However, understanding the costs associated with BESS is critical for anyone considering this technology, whether for a home, business, or utility scale.

How is a lithium ion compared to a lead-acid battery?

The costs of delivery and installation are calculated on a volume ratio of 6:1 for Lithium system compared to a lead-acid system. This assessment is based on the fact that the lithium-ion has an energy density of 3.5 times Lead-Acid and a discharge rate of 100% compared to 50% for AGM batteries.

How much does a battery bank cost per year?

Let’s combine all the factors and calculate the cost per kWh per year to see which option offers a better deal. A client paid ~$5,000 for a ~19.2 kWh battery bank. Let’s be generous and round it up to 20 kWh for easy calculation.

Are lead-acid batteries a better deal?

Here’s why many people think lead-acid batteries are a better deal: You get ~20 kWh of capacity for around $5,000 with typical deep-cycle marine-grade or AGM lead-acid batteries, but say, only ~10 kWh for around $4,000 with high-quality lithium ones. But we must look beyond the nominal dollar per kWh. All batteries die.

Are lithium batteries more expensive than lead-acid batteries for off-grid solar solutions?

Many think lithium batteries are more expensive than lead-acid ones for off-grid solar solutions. But is that really true? We use lithium batteries in all our solutions because of their performance, longevity, and lower cost. So let’s do the math to see why this chemistry is the most cost-effective.

Are lithium-based solutions cheaper than lead-acid solutions?

In summary, the total cost of ownership per usable kWh is about 2.8 times cheaper for a lithium-based solution than for a lead acid solution. We note that despite the higher facial cost of Lithium technology, the cost per stored and supplied kWh remains much lower than for Lead-Acid technology.