Energy Storage Battery Selection Guide: Capacity & Voltage for Home, Small Business & Microgrid Systems

As distributed solar and energy storage systems proliferate across homes and light‑commercial sites, selecting the right energy storage battery is a mission‑critical step. Matching the correct capacity, power output, and voltage ensures system efficiency, long‑term reliability, and cost‑effectiveness. This guide presents a practical overview of battery selection—rooted in real LEMAX product data—covering residential, small-business, and micro-grid-scale applications.

1. Why Battery Selection Matters

Battery selection hinges on three key parameters:

• Capacity: Determines how much energy can be stored, and thus how long the system can supply power during demand.

• Power (discharge/charge rate): Determines whether the system can handle peak demands (e.g., HVAC in commercial use) without drop‑outs.

• Voltage: Impacts compatibility with inverters, system efficiency and wiring/installation cost.

An inappropriate choice may lead to insufficient supply, poor efficiency, higher maintenance or shortened battery lifespan. A well‑selected battery supports long‑term stable operation and optimises return on investment.

2. LEMAX Product Specifications by Application

LEMAX offers a wide spectrum of energy‑storage battery modules. The following capacity/voltage ranges reflect practical, real‑world systems assembled from those modules.

Residential Energy Storage

• Capacity Range: 5–32 kWh

• Voltage: 48 V–51.2 V nominal

• Features: Suitable for everyday household use, solar‑PV storage and night‑time or backup power.

• Typical Application Example: A home with a 5 kW solar array paired with a 32 kWh LEMAX battery module could support ~15‑20 kWh daily consumption and provide reliable backup during outages.

• Selection Tips:

  • Estimate household average daily energy usage plus solar generation.

  • Start with 1‑2 modules for flexibility and room for future expansion.

  • If backup is required, size the capacity nearer the peak daily load to ensure continuity of critical loads.

Small Shops and Offices

• Capacity Range: 32–64 kWh

• Voltage: 48 V or low‑voltage series/parallel configurations typically in the ~48 V range

• Features: Supports peak electricity demands (lighting, HVAC, office equipment), offering stable operations for smaller commercial sites.

• Typical Application Example: A small office using one or two 32 kWh LEMAX modules could run multiple devices concurrently during peak usage hours without supply interruption.

• Selection Tips:

  • Choose modules rated for sufficient discharge capacity to handle peak loads (e.g., HVAC start‑up).

  • Consider faster charge/discharge capable modules if the usage profile has frequent peaks or intermittent solar inputs.

  • Use modular capacity for flexibility—expand later as business energy demand grows.

Small Industrial Applications or Microgrids

• Capacity Range: 50–215 kWh

• Voltage: 48 V up to ~400 V (high‑voltage systems supported)

• Features: Appropriate for small factories, schools, community micro‑grids—supports peak‑shaving, multi‑load management, integration with renewable generation and energy optimisation.

• Typical Application Example: A small manufacturing facility using a 215 kWh LEMAX system may handle machinery, lighting, and solar input, offering peak‑load relief and backup capability.

• Selection Tips:

  • Opt for systems that allow future expansion as energy needs increase.

  • Balance standing supply and backup capability—ensuring both continuous and surge power needs are met.

  • Confirm the Battery Management System (BMS) supports remote monitoring, parallel system operation and performance analytics.

  • Match the discharge power capability of the battery with the type of loads (resistive vs. inductive) to maintain stability.

4. Technical Considerations for Optimised Selection

4.1 Battery Management System (BMS)An advanced BMS is crucial:

• Monitors cell voltages and temperatures in real‑time;

• Balances state‑of‑charge (SOC) and state‑of‑health (SOH) across modules;

• Enables remote diagnostics, data logging and system analytics;

• Delivers protection against overcharge, over‑discharge, short‑circuit, and thermal runaway.

4.2 Modular Design & Scalability