Batteries
What do battery cycle life and depth of discharge mean for SA home solar?
Cycle life is how many charge/discharge cycles a lithium pack is rated for at a stated depth of discharge (DoD); deeper daily DoD under Stage calendars uses cycles faster, so size usable kWh and SoC floors together — not just the sticker kWh.
Updated 27 October 2026 · Illustrative ranges — not a formal quote, credit decision or legal advice.
Answer first: Ask for the OEM warranty PDF: cycles at a stated DoD, calendar years, and throughput (MWh) if listed. Size the pack so Stage windows do not force 90%+ DoD every evening — usable kWh · DoD hub · battery lifespan · batteries.
DoD and Stage calendars
A pack that barely covers a Stage 4 evening at 90% DoD will rack cycles during a bad month. A larger usable bank at 60–70% DoD often lasts more calendar years for the same lifestyle — Stage 4 · SoC · Stage table.
Numbers to request
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Cycles @ DoD | Compare apples to apples |
| Calendar years | Whichever-first warranty |
| Throughput MWh | Some OEMs use energy throughput |
| Usable kWh at end of warranty | Retention %, not just years |
Peers include Solar MD, Hubble, BlueNova and others — compare the PDF, not the brochure line. Soft peer language only; named facts win — warranty checks · claim steps.
Settings that protect cycles
- Raise overnight SoC floors before predicted Stage clusters.
- Prefer self-use over aggressive export if your tariff does not pay well.
- Keep firmware current so BMS limits match the warranty letter.
export vs self-use · firmware · monitoring.
Bill maths before hardware
Pull three months of kWh and rand from your bill or prepaid tokens. Compare that to the quote’s self-use assumption at your metro’s published rates — monthly savings · fixed charges · export vs self-use · export credit vs self-use rand · metro tariffs · costs & savings · check a quote.
DoD settings that trade backup for lifespan
Running 95% DoD every Stage shortens life versus a 80% DoD with a reserve. For TOU savings, shallow daily cycles plus a deeper Stage reserve is a common compromise. Put the DoD / SoC floors on the handover sheet.
- Align DoD with the warranty’s stated test regime.
- Recalibrate after firmware changes.
- what is DoD · usable kWh · SoC.
Homeowner close-out for battery cycle life dod sa
Keep OEM and metro PDFs beside this answer. Confirm Incl. VAT line items, NRS-listed SKUs where relevant, and who owns paperwork after deposit. Compare two written scopes before you pay — read a quote · choose installer · check a quote · check a quote · costs & savings · metro tariffs.
Write the decision rule for this topic into the handover pack in one sentence the next owner can follow without calling you. Clear operating rules beat tribal knowledge when the first Stage 4 night arrives.