Defined term
Battery round-trip efficiency
Battery round-trip efficiency is delivered discharge energy divided by charge energy over a defined charge-and-discharge test boundary.
Also known as storage round-trip efficiency
measurement · Concept code GS-CONCEPT-048 · Last verified August 20, 2026
Definition and boundaries
Definition
Battery round-trip efficiency is delivered discharge energy divided by charge energy over a defined charge-and-discharge test boundary.
Definition claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
In plain language
When comparing Battery round-trip efficiency, keep the unit, time period, measurement boundary, and underlying assumptions the same on both sides.
What it is not
It is not one-way inverter efficiency and it does not state battery capacity or power.
Decision context
Why it matters
Meter location, auxiliary loads, inverter inclusion, state-of-charge endpoints, rate, temperature, and test duration determine the value's meaning.
Decision-context claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
Information boundary
This page provides general educational context, not a site design, production guarantee, utility determination, contract interpretation, legal opinion, tax conclusion, or individualized financial advice. Verify property, equipment, utility, jurisdiction, program, and agreement details before acting.
Concept relationships
Affects
- Solar battery storagePublished conceptBattery round-trip efficiency can affect how Solar battery storage is evaluated
- Payback periodPublished conceptBattery round-trip efficiency can affect how Payback period is evaluated
Primary sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Battery Energy Storage System Evaluation Method
Revision DOE/GO-102023-6083 · December 2023 · Source event as of December 1, 2023 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026
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