Energy Storage Glossary
Confused by the acronyms? We've decoded the technical jargon so you can understand exactly what you're buying.
A
AC Coupling
A system architecture where the battery has its own inverter, separate from the solar inverter. Common for retrofitting batteries to existing solar arrays.
B
Battery Management System (BMS)
The electronic brain of a rechargeable battery that protects cells from operating outside safe limits, monitors voltage/temperature, and balances charge.
C
Capacity
The total amount of energy a battery can store, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Think of this as the fuel tank size.
D
DC Coupling
A system where solar panels and battery share a single hybrid inverter. More efficient for new installations.
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
The percentage of battery capacity that has been used. Modern lithium batteries allow 100% DoD.
H
Hybrid Inverter
An inverter that accepts inputs from both solar panels and a battery bank, managing energy flow between them, the home, and the grid.
K
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of POWER representing the rate at which energy is used at a specific moment. Think of this as the pipe width or flow rate.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of ENERGY representing the amount used or stored over one hour. Think of this as the tank volume.
L
LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
A lithium-ion battery chemistry known for high safety, very long cycle life (4000+), and thermal stability.
N
NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt)
A lithium-ion chemistry known for high energy density. Lighter and more compact than LFP, but typically shorter cycle life.
R
Round-Trip Efficiency
The percentage of electricity put into storage that is later retrieved. Lithium batteries are usually 90%+ efficient.
T
Time-of-Use (TOU)
A utility rate structure where electricity prices vary by time of day. Batteries save money by discharging during expensive peak hours.
Important Disclaimer
These definitions are simplified for educational purposes. Always consult with professionals for technical specifications.