For my new residential build (currently under construction), the structure is elevated on columns 3.20 m high, with the battery room to be constructed beneath the house. Mounting rails will be installed on selected roof areas to accommodate solar panels. The long-term objective is to operate the property entirely on solar power while retaining the PEA grid connection as a contingency supply.

My query concerns the design of the dedicated battery room, which will be constructed using 150 mm AAC blocks (Q-Con). In addition to housing the battery bank, is it considered acceptable practice to also install ancillary equipment such as the consumer unit, hybrid inverter, and other associated electrical distribution and control components within the same enclosure?

Furthermore, would the installation of a small air-conditioning unit be advisable for thermal management of the room, or could this adversely affect the ventilation strategy required for safe battery operation?

No real problem with your proposals, several members are doing something similar. Have a look at what @Bandersnatch is doing.

 

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/27/my-eco-journey-in-thailand/

https://www.youtube.com/@EcoHouseThailand

 

How much solar and energy storage are you anticipating? 

 

We have our panels, energy storage (90kWh) and inverters (26kW) remote from the house (in the car port) mostly for convenience although having that much energy tied up in a room that's basically in our living area would be a worry.

 

I would make provision for A/C in the plant room, you may or may not actually need it if it's well shaded.

 

Assuming LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to lead-acid they don't vent gasses except possibly under fault conditions so no special ventilation required. I would include suitable detectors in the room.

 

EDIT Would your solar install be DIY or by a dedicated contractor?

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

No real problem with your proposals, several members are doing something similar. Have a look at what @Bandersnatch is doing.

 

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/27/my-eco-journey-in-thailand/

https://www.youtube.com/@EcoHouseThailand

 

How much solar and energy storage are you anticipating? 

 

We have our panels, energy storage (90kWh) and inverters (26kW) remote from the house (in the car port) mostly for convenience although having that much energy tied up in a room that's basically in our living area would be a worry.

 

I would make provision for A/C in the plant room, you may or may not actually need it if it's well shaded.

 

Assuming LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to lead-acid they don't vent gasses except possibly under fault conditions so no special ventilation required. I would include suitable detectors in the room.

 

EDIT Would your solar install be DIY or by a dedicated contractor?

Thanks for the link.

Initially, the house will operate on a PEA grid connection. Once actual consumption patterns are established - including provision for charging two EVs and one electric motorbike - I plan to maximize solar capacity by utilizing all available roof areas (balcony, surrounding roofs of the house, and both roof covered driveways), with the exception of the main house roof.

We are a childless couple with relatively low power consumption. Air-conditioning use is limited: typically from 3pm to 9.30pm in the living room and from 9.30pm to 3am in the bedroom. The long-term goal is to operate the property entirely on solar power, retaining the PEA connection as a backup.

I am aiming to source high-quality batteries. If LiFePO remains the preferred and most reliable chemistry for residential applications, I will select this technology.

I have contacted Schneider Electric for assistance with the overall electrical design, including driveway lighting and a seamless switchover capability between PEA grid supply and solar power.

I have a 4m x 2m Room in my Carport, what is a small Workshop and storage for my Garden Tools. But there is also my main Consumer Box and all Equipment for my Solar System installed like  2 pcs. 10KW Hybrid Inverter, 3 x 10 Kwh ESS Battery Storage and all necessary Breaker Boxes for Solar (4 Strings) and Battery Breakers and finally with an installed 9k BTU Air Conditioner.

A fair bit of heat will be generated by the charge controllers which will be either inside or external to the inverters.

They and the inverters will need a bit of air circulation.

Having air con. is a good idea especially for the batteries.

I use lead carbons which are characterised for 25°C but reasonably content up to 30°.

The same applies to most other chemistries the exception being flow batteries.

I use the fans of my inverter to duct the room air directly out through a mesh protected hole in the wall.

Fresh air comes in through another mesh protected hole.

I should explain that my system is all separates and the relevant bits are scattered about the walls in the 2.5 x 1.2 metre room.

23 hours ago, Crossy said:

Have a look at what @Bandersnatch is doing.

 

@CharlesHolzhauer When I was designing my mechanical room where batteries and inverters would be located. I did consider the option to completely seal the room and run air-con 24/7 to keep the room at a steady 25 degree C. However, I decided to go with a well ventilated room that was shaded from the sun and run a 60 inch ceiling fan 24/7 instead.

 

I have a temperature and humidity sensor in the room to monitor maximum temperatures.

 

 

 

51 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

A fair bit of heat will be generated by the charge controllers which will be either inside or external to the inverters.

They and the inverters will need a bit of air circulation.

Having air con. is a good idea especially for the batteries.

I use lead carbons which are characterised for 25°C but reasonably content up to 30°.

The same applies to most other chemistries the exception being flow batteries.

I use the fans of my inverter to duct the room air directly out through a mesh protected hole in the wall.

Fresh air comes in through another mesh protected hole.

I should explain that my system is all separates and the relevant bits are scattered about the walls in the 2.5 x 1.2 metre room.

I plan to integrate the battery room—complete with all associated electrical distribution and control components—into a combined workshop and clean storage area. For this purpose, I have allocated the space beneath the new residential build, positioned to the right when facing the structure. The designated area measures approximately 9 m in length, 3 m in width, and 3.20 m in height. This preparation should provide ample capacity for the future installation of the necessary components for the solar power system.

22 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

@CharlesHolzhauer When I was designing my mechanical room where batteries and inverters would be located. I did consider the option to completely seal the room and run air-con 24/7 to keep the room at a steady 25 degree C. However, I decided to go with a well ventilated room that was shaded from from the sun and run a 60 inch ceiling fan 24/7 instead.

 

I have a temperature and humidity sensor in the room to monitor maximum temperatures.

 

 

 

Thank you for the information. The room I have allocated is approximately 27 sqm, and the battery room with its associated electrical components can be easily separated from the workshop and clean storage area. These are preparatory steps I intend to take while construction is still in progress.