kW vs kWh Explained: How to Size a Commercial Battery Energy Storage System
When planning a C&I ESS project, many business owners ask the same question:
“How big should my battery be?”
To answer correctly, you must understand the difference between kW and kWh.
kW (Power) – How Much Load You Can Run
kW tells you how much power the system can supply at one moment.
Example:
If your site needs to run a 50kW load, your ESS must provide at least 50kW output power.
kWh (Energy) – How Long You Can Run That Load
kWh tells you how long the battery can run.
Example:
If your load is 50kW and you want 4 hours backup, you need:
50kW × 4h = 200kWh
How to Choose the Right Size
Sizing depends on:
- backup time required
- peak shaving target
- critical loads
- solar PV contribution
- future expansion
A professional power audit ensures your system delivers savings and reliable performance.
Contact Us
Reliable Solar & Energy Storage Solutions for East Africa
Northern Bypass, Nairobi – Marurui
Behind Galana Energies, Village Inn Road
Tel: +254 712 172 222 | +254 784 323 222
Email: info@solarman.co.ke
Website: www.solarman.co.ke
