Maintaining and enjoying your system
Your battery system installer will set up your system and show you how it works. According to the Clean Energy Council installation guidelines, your installer must run you through the functionality of your system, including the different operating modes, shutdown procedures and what to do in case of a fault alarm.
Not all Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have the same functions, so it’s important to choose one upfront that suits your needs.
Your installer should also provide you with documentation to help you use and maintain your system effectively. Under the CEC installation guidelines, you should be given:
- relevant manuals
- contact numbers
- safety information sheet
- battery commission sheet
- warranty
- ongoing monitoring information
- guidance on maintenance issues
- Certificate of Test.
Your installer should also give you a logbook or table to record the system’s critical measurements.
Some minor upkeep and maintenance is important to keep your battery running efficiently and safely. The maintenance should be performed by an accredited installer.
In addition, it is a good idea to carry out visual checks at least once a month, to keep your system in top condition. If you notice something is not right, call your accredited installer or battery supplier.
System monitoring
It's important to keep an eye on how your energy storage system is operating. This ensures you're getting the best levels of performance from your system and allows the manufacturer (or other monitoring service) to notify you in the case of a malfunction. Some systems will emit a fault alarm or will trip and cut the power to protect against overload.
Different manufacturers have different ways to manage monitoring:
Most BESS require WiFi or a cable connection to the internet so that the system performance can be remotely monitored. A hard-wired system may be more reliable than WiFi.
Some systems have a display on the energy storage system itself, with indicators like operating mode and battery state of charge.
Some systems support a remote display option that can be installed inside your house, known as an in-home-display (IHD). These systems are often combined with other information about your home energy use – such as air-conditioning usage, solar generation and tariff information.
Some systems can connect to the internet and allow you to view information from your computer, smartphone or tablet, even when you’re not at home.
What if something goes wrong?
If you have an issue while your battery system is under warranty, you should first contact your installer or supplier to have the product repaired or replaced. If that fails, you can contact the importer or manufacturer (details should be in your documentation).
If an incident occurs with your battery system, in the case of fire or an explosion call 000 (triple zero) immediately. For minor incidents, such as a fault alarm or a malfunction, the system should be serviced by your Clean Energy Council accredited installer.
Battery recycling
When your solar and battery system eventually reaches the end of its life, product recycling programs are being set up to ensure the materials are disposed of correctly or repurposed.
Check with your solar and/or battery supplier to see if they have a recycling program in place.
The Australian Battery Recycling Initiative is working with the Clean Energy Council to promote battery recycling.
To download a summary of responsible recycling of energy storage batteries and for more information, visit the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI).