Solar Batteries: Store your Energy:
An off-grid solar panel system can offer you complete freedom. It not only reduces the electricity cost but also keeps the environment green and clean. You can avoid power outages, which can occur without any prior warning. It’s highly recommended for remote areas with no grid access. In an off-grid solar panel system, batteries are used to store the extra produced power for later use when the sun is not shining. Solar batteries increase the PV system’s capacity and potential by providing free, sustainable, environment-friendly energy day and night. With solar batteries, you purchase less or no electricity from the grid, which significantly decreases your electricity cost and bills.
Advantages of the solar panel system batteries:
The PV system without any storage system produces energy, which can’t be used readily. That can limit the performance of the solar panel system. Moreover, during the daytime, electricity demands are considerably low and significantly increases at night. With solar system batteries, the day’s energy can be stored and used at night or whenever needed. The solar system with batteries can reduce the electricity bill permanently and optimize the user’s self-consumption. Furthermore, it not only allows complete independence but also ensures that you contribute effectively to our sustainable future. Selecting the right battery for your solar panel system is critical as it is an expensive addition to your system.
Drawback of solar panel system batteries :
PV batteries ensure independence, but it is very expensive. It user can enjoy cost-effective electricity but does not offer the return on investment (ROI).
Types of the solar panel battery system:
There are different types of solar batteries, which suit the user with additional needs. Following are different types of batteries used in the solar panel system.
Lead-acid:
Lead-acid batteries with new AGM Battery technology are considered one of the best solar electric systems. It is commonly used in automobile batteries with metallic lead-containing lead oxides. The electrolytes are diluted sulfuric acid. Lead-acid has a long-life, and industrial batteries can work effectively for more than 20years. The standard deep cycle batteries have approximately 3-5 years, and batteries made by Surrette last 7 to 12 years.
Lithium:
Lithium batteries are considered better than traditional batteries for several reasons. They have a long life and a high discharge rate.
NICAD (nickel-cadmium):
Alkaline storage batteries have nickel oxide as positive active material and contain cadmium as the negative active material. It is an expensive option and has combatively low efficiency as it has no standard voltage, which results in incompatibility issues. Bedsides discharge Cadmium, which is a hazardous chemical.
It is the latest technology, with low self-discharge, non-freezing, etc.; it has a long life in chronological terms, but not in cycle terms. Therefore, it is ideal for backup but is not that efficient system for the daily cycle. It is recommended for backup or solar systems.
NIFE (nickel-iron):
Energy storage density = 55 watts per kilogram
Alkaline-type electric cells have potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte. Anodes of steel wool are used to substrate active iron material. In addition to that, cathodes of nickel-plated steel wool as used to substrate active nickel material. NIFE has a long life, but it is suggested to do the cost-benefit analysis before making the final decision.
Its efficiency is combatively low. NIFE has high water/gassing consumption with a high rate of self-discharge. It also has a high internal resistance, which results in high voltage drops. NIFE is heavy, with high volume. Moreover, it can reduce the solar panel system efficiency, in many cases, by 25%.
How to select a battery for your solar panel system?
Certain specifications can help you evaluate the battery and help you make the right decisions. Following are the criteria which should be compared before making a final decision regarding the solar panel batteries:
Capacity and power:
Capacity is the total amount of electricity a battery can store. It is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Most of the batteries are stackable, and you can use multiple batteries to increase your system’s storage capacity. It is also critical to consider your batteries’ power rating to give you a comprehensive idea of your battery’s performance. A battery with a low power rating and high capacity can store and deliver low electricity.
Depth of discharge :
Solar batteries need a recharge to complement the chemical composition. If the battery uses its total charge, it can reduce battery life. The depth of discharge (DOD) it’s the battery capacity that is used already. The DOD for optimal performance is normally communicated to the user.
Round-trip efficiency:
Round-trip efficiency is another important attribute that should be considered before choosing the battery. It is the energy that can be used as a percentage of energy stored in the battery. Normally a higher round-trip efficiency refers to the economic value you can get out of your battery.
Battery life & warranty:
The battery is in continuous use and experience change and drains daily. The battery capacity to hold charge decreases gradually with use. Ideally, the batteries have certain guarantees for certain years of useful life or the number of cycles. Different manufacturers guarantee a specific capacity during its warranty time.
Manufacturer:
The solar panel system is a hot commodity. The customer wants to invest in it and complement the increasing demand; there are many manufacturers in the market. These manufacturers are producing closely related and identical products. The customer can choose from the market leaders or the cutting-edge startup. Moreover, the decision should be based on market research and analysis. Finally, the product should be according to your unique needs and demands.
Conclusion:
An off-grid solar panel system can offer you independence and cost-effective electricity. Solar batteries can complement the solar panel performance, but it is an expensive ad on the PV system. Therefore, the decision should be based on market research and analysis. Moreover, it should be according to household energy needs. There are different types of solar batteries with unique benefits. Additionally, certain attributes can facilitate your decision, including Capacity and power, Depth of discharge, Round-trip efficiency, Battery life & warranty, Manufacturer, etc.