Solar FAQs: batteries and backup

Questions

• Will my system work during load shedding?

  Only if it has batteries (hybrid or off-grid).

• How many hours of backup will I get at night?

  It depends on two things: the usable capacity of your battery and what you run at night.

• Do I need batteries?

  For most homes in 2026, yes.

• Lithium or lead-acid/tubular: which should I buy?

  For daily solar cycling, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) generally lasts much longer.

• How long do batteries last?

  Lithium battery life depends on how many cycles it goes through, how deeply it is discharged, and the temperature where it is installed.

• What is a high-voltage battery, and when is it better than a 48 V one?

  A low-voltage (LV) battery runs at around 48 V; a high-voltage (HV) battery stacks modules to run at a much higher voltage.

• Do I still need a generator if I have solar?

  For most homes with a hybrid system and battery, no.

Full articles

• LiFePO₄ Battery Safety: A Guide to Safer Hybrid Solar Systems

  LFP chemistry, the battery management system, battery\u2013inverter compatibility and professional installation \u2014 the four things that decide how safely a solar battery runs.

• LFP Chemistry and Thermal Stability

  What lithium iron phosphate is, why it is considered one of the more thermally stable lithium-ion chemistries, and what that does and does not mean.

• Battery Quality and Documentation

  Cells, assembly, enclosure and paperwork: how to tell a well-made solar battery from a cheap one before it is on your wall.

• Battery Management Systems Explained

  What a BMS monitors, how it protects the pack, and why protection features differ between models.

• Approved Battery\u2013Inverter Compatibility

  Compatibility lists, voltage ranges, current limits, firmware, supported quantities and protocols \u2014 and why matching voltage is not compatibility.

• Correct Hybrid System Configuration

  Battery selection in the inverter, firmware, operating limits, backup reserve and modes \u2014 and why we publish no universal values.

• Verified BMS Communication

  What the BMS and inverter exchange, why a connected cable proves nothing, and how the link is actually verified.

• Professional Battery Installation

  Mounting, cable sizing, terminals, clearances and circuit protection \u2014 the site decisions that decide how a battery lives.

• Battery Testing and Commissioning

  The tests and records that turn a finished battery installation into a system someone has verified.

• Buying Checks and After-Sales Support

  Six checks before you buy a solar battery, and the support questions most people only think about later.