Can any machine function properly without its powerhouse? The solar battery is as important as your phone battery. Getting a wonderful solar system without a complementary strong solar storage battery that will store your energy will really frustrate you.
This means that the first thing you should really consider while getting a solar system, especially when you are off-grid is a good solar storage battery. You need it to store all those excess energies when they are not in use. So the discussion here is not if you need a solar battery, but then the best one to choose for your solar system.
When you get to the market, you will find a long list of solar batteries, so you might get confused about the particular one to choose from. But this article will help put you through on the different types of solar storage batteries available and how to make the best choice.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY
Choosing the best solar storage battery often proves difficult because so many batteries vary in their energy efficiencies, storage capabilities, and effectiveness. Also, the cost of installation, durability, and storage space are other things we always try to find out before getting a solar battery.
So let’s treat them one after another, and find out how to know the best solar battery suitable for us.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLAR BATTERY
Before I proceed, I will like to show you the different types of solar storage batteries available for solar storage battery system, this will help you know exactly which solar battery that’s best for you. And don’t hesitate to tell us the one that interests you more, so we can get that for you or recommend a reputable vendor to get the best solar battery from.
FLOODED LEAD-ACID BATTERY
This has been one of the most commonly used solar storage batteries, especially for people using the off-grid system.
The benefits associated with this type are:
• Have an upfront cost.
• Very safe to use
• Much reliable.
The disadvantages that can come with them include
• They are usually very large and take up a lot of space.
• Flooded lead-acid is also corrosive, that is to say, that if not placed in a well-ventilated area, they might rust.
• This type of battery needs a lot of maintenance and monitoring. This is because they need to be kept in a well-ventilated area and must always be kept in an upright position to avoid spillage.
Now if you can deal with the regular maintenance and these few disadvantages, then this is a wonderful option for you. But then let’s look at AGM batteries.
ABSORBENT GLASS MAT(AGM)
This is also known as sealed lead-acid batteries, because they are a type of lead-acid batteries, just that their electrolytes are absorbed into a glass mat.
The benefits of this type of battery include
• They have lower internal resistance when compared to flood acid batteries.
• They have a better adaptation to temperature.
• The discharge rate is not as slow as other battery types.
• They hold static charges for a long time.
• AGM are very lightweight which makes them very good for solar storage battery system.
• They don’t heat up.
• AGM batteries are not hazardous.
The disadvantage that comes with this is just that the cost is high.
GEL BATTERY
This type of battery has a drawback, when compared to other types of battery. With fumed silica, electrolytes of gel battery thicken up and this makes them sturdier.
Advantages associated with this type of battery include:
o They don’t require much maintenance.
o They are very much durable.
o They have an excellent life cycle.
o They are resistant to shock.
o The charging profiles are narrow, and they are not easily damaged by overcharging.
The disadvantage of this battery is that:
o The amp-hour capacity is not the greatest
o They are quite expensive.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
When it comes to the best types of battery for solar storage system, lithium-ion is up there.
The benefits associated with this include:
o They have a lightweight battery, with great capacity and life cycle.
o Lithium-ion batteries are highly efficient.
o These batteries are very stable and safe.
o They don’t require regular maintenance.
Having given you the different types of solar storage battery, I think its best if we answer a few common questions. Questions like Which solar batteries last longest? How long do solar batteries last? these questions are mostly from our customers and the general public as well based on Google suggested questions.
I won’t go into details here because I have explained some of these questions in my previous post ” what is solar storage bank? “
So what questions come to your mind while considering getting a solar storage battery system? you can let me know through the comment box, let me get you started with the most common questions. Which solar storage batteries last longer?
WHICH SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY LASTS LONGER?
To answer this question I will make a list of the solar batteries which have a better and more lasting advantage over others. The first one is
FLOODED LEAD-ACID BATTERY
This battery is no doubt one of the best solar battery that you can get for your off-grid solar system. being the most popular solar battery due to its low-cost and almost 99% recyclable. and most importantly, their self-discharge rate is very low compared to other types of lead-acid batteries.
Though the flooded acid battery has some disadvantages which I have listed above, if you can keep up the maintenance, then you are good to go.
GEL BATTERY
Sealed lead-acid battery are the best when it comes to solar storage bank, gel battery has some advantages which is why I recommend it as the best solar battery in terms of how long a solar battery should last. Gel batteries are good solar batteries, owing to the fact that it is simple and less complicated.
These batteries contain acid, but the acid is turned into a gooey gel form by the addition of silica gel. This means that the batteries won’t leak acid even when it’s broken. The cells also work well in both hot and cold temperatures, so you don’t need to worry much about freezing weather conditions.
Though the maintenance is more complicated than other types of solar batteries. This is because it is filled with gel. When the gel level is low, it requires trained personnel to fill it due to the acid inside the gooey gel.
AGM BATTERY
AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat battery technology is an advanced lead-acid battery that provides superior power to support the higher electrical demands of today’s vehicles and solar storage banks. Personally, I would say that the AGM battery is among the top best solar storage battery at all modifications.
AGM and gel batteries are often considered to be one and the same. This is because they have a similar core of attributes. Both are unspillable. Both offer deep cycles and they can both be mounted anywhere, so they’re flexible.
In AGM batteries, the positive and negative plates are separated by an absorbent glass mat that absorbs and holds the battery’s acid and prevents it from flowing freely inside the battery.
The plates are in tight compression with each cell and held under pressure in the rigid battery case. The internal compression limits the shedding of plate material caused by cycling and allows for a significantly longer life. Thus, AGM battery can resist vibration, recharges faster, cycles more, and lasts longer in demanding applications.
you can also read more about AGM battery technology.
The next solar battery on the list are lithium ion battery
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY
As it said “a good product speaks for its self” lithium-ion battery stands out today as the most preferred option for all your solar battery needs. this of course wasnt an easy task after the fight to gain acceptance with the famous nickel-cadmium battery in the early 1990s. Today, lithium-ion is the fastest growing and most promising battery chemistry.
A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery (abbreviated as LIB) is a type of rechargeable battery that is commonly used for portable electronics(iPods, wristwatches, phones, etc), electric vehicles and of course solar storage bank which is our utmost interest.
Although lithium-ion battery is about 4x more expensive than other types of batteries, lithium batteries offer multiple benefits to ride off the huge price tag.
These advantages include longer lifespan, higher efficient power usage, no maintenance, deeper discharges (more storage capacity), no gas emission, and more.
With all this been said, I think we should head off for the second question. if you have any doubt or question on what I have written so far, do well to let me know through the comment box.
HOW LONG SHOULD A SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY LAST?
The question of how long a solar battery should last have been the top question in my list, to get a clearer understand of this. I recommend you read what is solar storage bank as I have mentioned earlier. I covered most of the most asked questions about solar batteries and more that you definitely need to know about.
There is more to learn about solar batteries, so I will walk you through all the things you need to know while choosing a solar battery. stay with me!
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING A SOLAR BATTERY.
Having known the types of battery available, you can’t just jump into the market and tell them to give you a lithium-ion battery. You might get cheated, so they are other things you should consider.
BATTERY CAPACITY
One of the things to consider is how big the battery capacity is. By this, I mean how much energy the battery can store. Also in terms of physical size, you can consider your spatial requirements. The battery capacity can be measured in the unit of Amp hour.
Batteries with low capacity and high power rating can run your home but for a few hours. While batteries with high capacity and low power rating can carry your appliances but for a longer time. So the best is that you should go for the one with a high capacity and a high power rating.
CHARGING TIME
Gel batteries charge really fast. Lithium batteries can also take about 3 hours to charge, but then flood acid can take up to a whole day to charge. So the faster the battery can charge the better for you. If you are thinking of the one that won’t take much time to charge, you should go for lithium-ion batteries.
THE EASE OF INSTALLATION
While considering to get a battery, you should check how easy it is to be installed. If you have not handled a solar panel system before, it is also important that you contact the help of a solar installer. Also if you want something that is space friendly, maintenance-free, and easy to install, then you should consider lithium-ion.
YOUR BUDGET
Remember that you get what you pay for. High efficient batteries tend to be more costly. Lithium-ion batteries are more costly than other types of batteries, but they don’t require as much maintenance as other types.
BATTERY LIFESPAN
Another thing to consider is how long the battery will last. Every battery you buy has the time it will reach, the efficiency will decline. Each of them comes with a definite number of days, hours, or years the charge can hold. So to get the one with a long lifespan check the warranty period of the battery, and then it will also cost you.
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY.
Another important thing you should check is the warranty. This is very important because you don’t want to buy a battery that will just become less efficient in a few years. Then the worst is now finding out that you are no longer covered by a warranty.
So you should endeavor to spend well on your battery because the more costly it is, and the more reputable the brand name, the greater the warranty. A ten years warranty is good, twenty years warranty better, but a lifetime warranty is the best.
5 BEST SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY ACCORDING TO CLEAN ENERGY REVIEW
• SungrowSBP4K- best solar battery up to 5kw.
Specifications include:
Type- DC battery system- Samsung lithium NMC cells
Size- 4.8kw with 95% usable capacity.
Power output- 2.5kw continuous, 4k maximum peak.
Cycle life-up to 6000 cycles (claimed)
Warranty- 10 years
Prize- $4,000
Compatibility: sun grow hybrid inverters, SH5K-20, SH5K-30
2. LG chem RESU10- best solar battery up to 10kw
Specifications include:
Type- DC battery system. Lithium NMC pouch cells.
Size: 9.8kw with 90% usable capacity
Power output: 5kw continuous, 7kw peak.
Cycle life: up to 4000/cycles.
Warranty: 10 years
Price: approx $7500(48v), $8,500(400v)
Compatibility: SMA, solar edge, Fronius, sun grow, Huawei and others
3. Tesla solar power wall2- best Ac coupled solar battery system.
Specifications include:
Type Ac battery system. Lithium NMC cells
Size: 13.5kw with 90% usable capacity
Power output: 5kw continuous, 7kw peak
Cycle life: approx 3500 cycles
Warranty: 10 years
Price $ 10,000
Compatibility: any solar inverter (ac coupled)
4. Power plus Energy- best off-grid solar battery system.
Type: DC self-managed battery system lithium, (LFP) cells
Size: 3.3 kW with 100% usable capacity.
Power output:3kw continuous, 3.3kw peak
Cycle life 3000-5000 cycles
Warranty: 10 years
Price: $3,500
Compatibility: most 24v, 48v or 120v off-grid or hybrid inverters.
5. Redback Smart Hybrid- best all in one solar hybrid battery system.
Specifications include
Type: All in one BESS, pylon tech lithium LFP
Size: 11.4kw, with 80% usable capacity
Power output: 5kW continuous, 7.5kW peak
Cycle life: 5kw continuous, 7.5kw peak
Warranty: 10 years
Price: 10,500
Compatibility: N\A This review was conducted by clean energy brand
CONCLUSION
We have taken the time to give you detailed information about solar battery, so you can’t get to the market and get the wrong one. If that happens, then you allowed it. And If you are still in doubt at this point, then you can seek the help of a professional solar installer like me.
If you are in Nigeria, I will be delighted to help. Don’t forget that solar storage battery system are very much important, so always go for the best.
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