PVsell comes with batteries pre-loaded into its library. The easiest way of inputting a battery is loading it from your library. Learn more: How do I load a battery from the library?
Alternatively, you can input a battery in the "Libraries". The process is similar, but the starting point is the library, rather than the project. To start from there, click on the libraries icon in the side menu, then click "+New Battery" in the "Batteries" tab.
1. Open up the project's "Battery" tab
2. Enter the total capacity of the battery in kWh
Enter the total (not the usable) capacity – the usable capacity is calculated in the next step.
The total capacity will be used in the pricing calculation if you enter a price in $/kWh.
3. Enter the Minimum State of Charge (minSoC) specified by the battery manufacturer at % of battery capacity
Enter the Minimum State of Charge (SOCmin) that the battery can be discharged to. This is equivalent to (1-DODmax), where DODmax is the maximum Depth of Discharge.
Make sure to enter this value as a percent – i.e., enter "10" for 10%.
- PVsell will automatically calculate the Usable kWh.
- PVsell will not discharge the batteries below the minSoC.
4. Enter the efficiency of charging and discharging, as percentages
E.g., if the charging is 96.2% efficient, enter "96.2".
Often the roundtrip efficiency is stated in manufacturers' datasheets. In this case you can enter that efficiency into the "Charge" column, and "100" into the "Discharge" column (or vice versa).
5. Enter the maximum rate of charging and discharging, in kWh per hour (or equivalently in kW)
- The maximum rate of charging and discharging is often governed by the inverter/charger.
- PVsell will limit the rate of charging and discharging to the values specified here.
- If the amount of solar energy exceeds the sum of the load and the maximum charge rate, then the balance of solar power will be exported to the grid
- If the load exceeds the amount of solar energy plus the maximum discharge rate, then the balance of power will be drawn from the grid
6. Enter the "Cycle Life" in #cycles as specified by the battery manufacturer
Enter the number of cycles the battery is warranted for.
PVsell automatically calculates the number of cycles per year based upon the PV array, consumption panel, and charge/discharge strategy you select.
PVsell will replace the battery after this many cycles, at the original cost (entered below) reduced by the 'Price Reduction Annually' percentage each year.
7. Enter the "Shelf Life" in #years
Batteries age even if unused. Enter the "Shelf life" of the battery here.
The battery will be replaced when either the shelf life or the warranted #cycles is reached.
8. Choose whether to input the battery price in $/kWh or $ total
The battery price is for the entire battery system.
However, note that this price will be re-applied (less any annual reduction in price) when the system reaches the end of its warranted life.
9. Enter the price of the battery and associated hardware and installation, exclusive of GST
If you enter the price in $/kWh, it should be for the total kWh capacity (not the usable capacity).
Note that the system price (less the annual price reduction) will be re-applied when the batteries reach the end of their warranted #cycles or shelf life, whichever comes sooner.
10. Enter the annual price reduction of the battery
Each time the batteries are replaced at the end of their warranted cycle life or shelf life, they are likely to be cheaper than they are today.
Enter the expected annual price reduction for the batteries here.
e.g. a 50% annual reduction on an $10,000 initial price would mean a replacement cost of $5000 if the batteries were replaced next year, or $2500 the year after, or $1250 the year after that.
11. Specify the charging and discharging strategy
Learn more:
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