Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, convert the photon energy present in the sunlight into electricity. The panels are made up of several individual cells made from silicon that react with the sunlight and generate DC electricity from it. This DC is sent through an inverter that converts it into AC that is used in our homes. Any excess current is stored in solar batteries to be used later. While solar panels and inverters are important, finding the best solar battery system is also vital for installing a profitable solar energy system at home.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different kinds of solar solution batteries that are there and what factors you should consider before selecting the best solar battery system in 2022.
Different Types of Solar Batteries
What type of solar energy storage battery you choose decides the battery backup, working time and more. The different solar battery types are:
Lead Acid
These are some of the commonly used batteries in the market, thanks to their cheap price and ease of use. Lead acid batteries are highly reliable and can be recycled or disposed of easily. However, these batteries can be quite bulky, take up a lot of space, and last for just 5 to 8 years on average.
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Lithium-Ion
Lithium-Ion batteries are quickly becoming popular and are the primary source of power for electric vehicles. These batteries don’t require too much maintenance and take less space due to high battery energy density. While lithium-ion batteries have the highest depth of discharge, they are quite expensive and need to be enclosed in metal.
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Flow Battery
Flow batteries store electrical charge with the help of water-based zinc and bromine solution along with vanadium. While these are costly, flow batteries can provide over 10,000 cycles with high efficiency and have fast recharge rates as well.
Sodium-Nickel Chloride
Sodium-nickel chloride batteries are safe and reliable batteries. They can operate in extreme temperatures and are recyclable as well. However, they have a short lifespan, a shallow depth of discharge, and are expensive as well.
Factors for Choosing the Best Solar Battery in 2022
Power Rating
The power rating of a battery specifies how many appliances you can run with the energy stored in the battery. While choosing the battery storage for solar systems, analyze which appliances you want to power up and what is the power rating for them.
Solar Battery Storage Capacity
The capacity of battery storage in solar systems indicates the amount of time for which you can use the stored energy in the battery. This metric is important in deciding whether the battery will be able to power your house during a blackout or not.
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Roundtrip Efficiency
There will be some energy losses while converting DC electricity to AC electricity in any solar battery storage system. The roundtrip efficiency of the battery will tell you how much electricity the battery system produces with respect to the amount of electricity you put into it.
Battery Lifetime: Throughput and Cycles
Battery manufacturers compete on the lifespan of their respective batteries. The longevity of a battery is dependent upon:
- Depth of Discharge: The extent to which a battery gets discharged while operating is its depth of discharge. A higher value means long battery life.
- Cycles: This is the number of discharge and charge cycles that a battery goes through. Fewer cycles mean a smaller lifecycle.
- Temperature: Batteries can get heated while working. Keep the batteries at a cooler temperature for ensuring better lifespan.
Cost
This is one of the most important factors to consider. Installing just the panel and inverter system can be costly and you need to factor in the cost of the battery as well. Different brands provide different rates per kWh of energy. The prices can differ based on your location as well.
Also Read: A Guide to Choosing the Right Solar Battery
So, there you have it. Keep this guide for selecting the best solar battery in 2022 handy. And remember that investing in solar panels can be a great decision if you live in an area that experiences frequent power cuts, get a lot of sunlight, or if you just want to control your electricity expenses.