Things to Know While Choosing your Battery
Photo: Watt Renewable Corporation
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Life Cycle
Solar batteries are available in a range of cycle lifetimes. The cycle life of a battery is the number of times it can complete a full charge and discharge cycle. The cycle life of a solar battery is one of the most important aspects in determining its longevity. Solar batteries have a lifespan of 5 to 25 years on average. The most common form of solar battery is lithium-ion, which has a lifetime of up to 15 years. Battery type, installation, depth of discharge, cycle life, environment, and maintenance are all aspects that affect the durability of a solar battery.
One of the most significant factors to consider when selecting a solar battery is its expected lifespan. Look for historical data on a battery's dependability and efficiency over time; test centre records might be useful in acquiring this information. The cycle life and design life of each solar battery should be specified on the spec sheet. The stated warranty may also be used to determine the durability of a solar battery. Any warranty that is less than ten years old should be avoided.
Warranty
The warranty period is defined by the type and model of solar battery you buy and can range from 10 to 20 years, with most warranties set at 10 years from the date of installation. The length and exact terms and conditions of a solar battery system's warranty and maintenance needs will vary based on the individual product and manufacturer. Most on the market come with a 10-year warranty and a specified level of minimum capacity retained, ranging from 60-70%. Overall, while selecting a solar battery system, it is critical to carefully analyze the warranty and maintenance needs. A well-maintained system may provide many years of dependable service and can help you maximize the benefits of solar energy for your environmentally friendly house.
Depth of Discharge
The greater the frequency with which a battery is charged and drained, the shorter its lifespan. Discharging a battery completely is typically not recommended because it drastically reduces the battery's usable life. For optimal performance, many battery manufacturers give a maximum suggested DoD. The depth of discharge (DoD) of a battery reflects the percentage of the battery that has been drained in relation to the total capacity of the battery. Depth of Discharge is defined as the capacity discharged from a fully charged battery divided by the nominal capacity of the battery. Normally, discharge depth is stated as a percentage.
As an example, we'll look at the most prevalent type of household battery, lithium-ion. The depth of discharge of lithium-ion batteries ranges from 80% to 95%. A lithium-ion battery's normal DoD is 90%, which means that if your battery has a capacity of 13 kWh, you may utilize 11.3 kWh without deteriorating the battery. Modern batteries feature built-in protection measures that prohibit you from using the full capacity of your battery.
Efficiency
When transporting and storing solar energy from panels to batteries, solar systems, and batteries are not 100% effective since some energy is wasted in the process. Depending on how much electricity your panels can generate and how your system is built, it may be worthwhile to invest in a more expensive, more efficient battery. This can help you save money in the long run. Any qualified sales and installation crew will calculate your solar panel efficiency and battery capacity and explain your system to you.
When compared to other types (such as lead-acid or nickel-cadmium), lithium-ion solar batteries recharge quickly and have the best efficiency. Their round-trip efficiency exceeds 96%, implying that the amount of power utilized for their own use while charging is less than 4% of the total power. This saves you money and space since you'll need fewer panels to power your house or company and fewer solar batteries to maintain them.
Battery Chemistry
Battery chemistry is the chemical composition that allows for a reaction within a battery's cells, allowing electrical energy to become chemical energy and chemical energy to become electrical energy. The mix of chemicals inside the cells impacts the power level and backup power storage capacity of different battery types when they store electricity.
Five main types of solar batteries used for power storage are:
- Lithium-Ion
- Lead-Acid
- Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP)
- Nickel-Cadmium
- Flow Battery
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Capacity and Sizing
To determine the system size required, first convert your daily use into watts. Multiply the quantity in kWh by 1,000 to get the total wattage required each day. If your daily use is 30 kWh, for example, you must create 30,000 watt-hours per day. Next, divide the watt-hours by your peak sunshine hours. This calculator determines the overall number of watts required by your solar system. If you require 30,000 watt-hours and have six hours of peak sunshine, your system must produce 5,000 watts per hour. Finally, divide this figure by the number of panels in your system. If your panels create 250 watts each panel, you'd need 20 total panels to meet your daily output need of 5,000 watts.
All the above calculations are simple. However, effectively assessing your requirements necessitates additional specific data. The typical sunshine in your location does not account for the shadow around your property, the size and angle of your roof, or your intended usage. Working with installation specialists may help you focus and guarantee that your system meets your actual energy demands. If the panels only produce 200 watts, you would need to utilize 25 panels to obtain the same result.
Safety
All Australian states and territories have regulatory requirements that electrical equipment supplied and installed be electrically safe. This guidance follows the concepts of AS/NZS 3820:2009 Essential safety standards for electrical equipment in defining acceptable minimum safety criteria that apply to battery storage devices for residential scenarios. AS/NZS 3820:2009 specifies high-level, general, outcome-oriented standards for the safety of electrical equipment. AS/NZS 3820:2009 emphasizes the need to use suitable product safety standards to offer measurable criteria, as well as the fact that various standards and extra reports or information may be required to address all identified concerns.
By using the safety criteria, manufacturers and importers can demonstrate that their equipment meets the minimum acceptable level of safety for installation in household environments and provides an acceptable level of protection against hazards such as electrical, mechanical, thermal, fire, and radiation. This will give homeowners confidence that equipment that complies with this guide and is installed and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and standards such as AS/NZS 4509.1 Stand-alone power systems, AS/NZS 5139 Electrical installations - Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment (when published), and AS/NZS 3000 Wiring rules will pose a minimal risk during normal operation.
Cost
In Australia, the cost of solar battery storage ranges from $800 per kWh to $2000 per kWh, depending on how much energy you want to store, where you reside, and any additional features you want, like a backup for when the grid goes down. The cost of storage is mostly determined by the amount of capacity desired as well as any additional features such as backup for when the power goes out and home automation.
Many homes want to capture surplus solar power to use in the evening, which is frequently well suited to a smaller battery, while others want to operate their home nearly exclusively on solar power with backup capabilities. This will usually need a bigger battery. When calculating the cost of solar batteries for your home, one must also consider the installation cost. Installation rates may vary greatly, and one should make certain that they pay for a professional installation that will not cut shortcuts.