How many batteries are needed for a 2000-watt inverter?

Want to use solar energy to use electricity freely at home but don't know how to match the battery? Don't worry! A 2000W inverter is the choice of many families, but how do you choose the battery to meet the power demand? This article will give you a detailed answer.

In the solar power generation system, the inverter is responsible for converting the direct current generated by the solar panel into the alternating current we use in daily life, while the battery plays the role of "energy storage tank", storing excess electricity for use on cloudy days or at night. So, how many batteries do you need to match a 2000W inverter?

Factors affecting the number of batteries

There are many factors that affect battery capacity, mainly including:

Electrical equipment: Which appliances do you plan to power with the inverter? Is it only for lighting, or do you need to run high-power appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners at the same time?
Battery type: Lithium batteries have high energy density and long life but are relatively expensive; lead-acid batteries are cheap but have a short life and relatively small capacity.
Depth of discharge: In order to extend the battery life, it is generally recommended not to fully discharge the battery.
Ambient temperature: Too high or too low temperature will affect the performance of the battery.

How to calculate battery voltage and ampere-hours

Required battery capacity (Ah) = total power consumption (Wh) / battery voltage (V)

For example, if you need to use a 2000-watt appliance for 3 hours a day (in this state, the inverter runs at full power), the total power consumption is 6000 watt-hours. If you use a 12V battery, you need a battery capacity of about 500 ampere-hours.

But this is only the calculation result under ideal conditions. In actual situations, you also need to consider the conversion efficiency of the inverter and the effective working capacity of the battery. The conversion efficiency of inverters on the market is generally between 80% and 90%.

effective working capacity of the battery

We all know that the capacity of a battery determines the endurance of a device. But did you know that the actual discharge of a battery is not always equal to the nominal capacity? There are many factors that affect battery capacity, and one of the most critical is the discharge rate.

Imagine: drinking water with a straw and drinking water with a large water pipe; the latter will obviously bottom out faster. The same is true for batteries. The larger the discharge current, the more intense the internal chemical reaction, the more heat is generated, and the effective capacity of the battery is reduced.

In addition to the discharge rate, what other factors affect the battery capacity?

Temperature: Too cold or too hot will affect the performance of the battery. At low temperatures, the battery reacts slower; at high temperatures, the battery is prone to overheating and accelerates aging.
Charging method: Too large a charging current and too many charging times will shorten the battery life and reduce the capacity.
Battery age: All batteries have a life cycle, and the capacity will gradually decay over time.

Usually, when calculating, the effective working capacity of the battery is 80% of the nominal capacity. For example, a 12V 100Ah lithium battery has an effective working capacity of 80Ah

Therefore, the number of batteries required for a 2000W inverter is closer to the actual situation: 2000/0.9/12=185.19 Ah; that is, the inverter needs 185.19 Ah of electricity to work at full load for 1 hour. If the battery you buy is a 12V 100Ah lithium battery, then you need 185.19/(100*0.8)=2.3, so you need at least three batteries. To meet the actual energy needs.

Conclusion

There is no fixed answer to how many batteries a 2000W inverter should have. It depends on your specific needs and the type of battery you choose. When choosing a battery, you must consider factors such as load size, usage time, and ambient temperature. You can leave a message below or contact us to help you calculate the number of batteries you need.