Solar Battery Buying Guide: Capacity, Voltage & Chemistry Explained

Capacity (kWh) vs Voltage (V)

Capacity tells you how much energy the battery stores; voltage must match your inverter's supported battery voltage (commonly 48V for residential hybrid inverters).

Depth of Discharge (DoD)

LiFePO4 batteries can typically be discharged to 80-90% DoD without significantly shortening lifespan, unlike lead-acid batteries which are usually limited to 50%.

Cycle Life

A "cycle" is one full charge-discharge. Quality lithium batteries are rated for 6000+ cycles at 80% DoD — roughly 15+ years of daily use.