Unlock Hidden Battery Profits With This ‘Use It or Lose It’ Trick!

A battery’s warranty is often defined by both time (like 10 years) and a maximum number of charge-discharge cycles. If a system costs $500 per kilowatt-hour and is rated for 4,000 cycles, that means you must earn about 12.5¢ per kWh each cycle just to break even. People sometimes interpret that as never discharging for less than 12.5¢, but that can be limiting.

Here’s why. Some days, energy prices are flat and you might only earn 5¢ or 10¢ per kWh. If you skip these smaller gains, you burn precious battery time anyway—your warranty clock still ticks. Taking smaller spreads when they’re available might lower your average profit per cycle, but it prevents wasted opportunities. Over time, these “little wins” can add up, compensating for occasional lower earnings.

That’s the essence of “use it or lose it.” If your battery still has enough capacity to recharge before the next high-price window, it makes sense to discharge for 10¢ at 2 a.m. rather than miss out. This way, you accumulate revenue steadily instead of chasing only the perfect high-rate discharge. It isn’t purely about matching the theoretical 12.5¢ cycle value; it’s about capturing the most total revenue possible over your battery’s lifespan.