A Lithium battery is the popular rechargeable battery of choice right now. Solar enthusiasts highly praise these batteries, who sometimes ignore their high cost. But are they worth it? Are these batteries the best choice for solar panels connected to the grid? Let’s dive in and find out!
Lithium solar batteries, what are they?
Simply put, lithium batteries utilized in a solar-powered system are known as lithium solar batteries. More specifically, most lithium rechargeable panels are deep-cycle LiFePO4 batteries comparable to the standard lead-acid deep-cycle starter batteries used in cars.
In LiFePO4 batteries, lithium salts are employed to produce a robust and long-lasting battery. Since they are deep-cycle batteries, they are ideal for solar systems with unpredictable charging and discharging.
A most critical component, the battery bank
- Contrary to popular belief, grid-solar panels are not the most critical component of an on grid solar system. It’s the battery bank. Many people enter the solar industry by investing in solar panels to maintain the charge in their regular lead-acid batteries.
- However, spending money on your battery bank first yields superior outcomes. If the battery bank is not large enough to meet your demands, it doesn’t matter how large several solar panels you have.
- On-grid solar panels use the sun’s energy to replenish the battery bank. Your system won’t produce electricity at night or on overcast days. Your rechargeable battery pack is your limited power source as a result. You have access to more power the more significant the battery bank is.
- Although it doesn’t improve the battery capacity, a substantial solar array can speed up the charging of your battery bank.
Benefits of lithium solar batteries
You’ll immediately see that lithium solar batteries are one of the more expensive solutions compared to other batteries. However, lithium batteries’ advantages make up for their high initial cost.
- Excellent for Variable Solar Charge Cycle
Because of the weather, location, and season, portable solar conditions can vary. A solar array might become worthless on overcast days, and charging can fluctuate substantially from one minute to the next. Lead-acid batteries can be harmed by inconsistent charging, whereas lithium batteries are unaffected.
- Fantastic for Unreliable Discharge Cycles
Your daily power consumption from your large battery may also change. Irregular discharge cycles are an area where lithium batteries excel. It doesn’t matter whether your lithium-ion bank serves as your primary power source or as a backup; it can manage irregular battery discharge without suffering any harm.
- Beyond 5,000 Life Cycles
- When they see the price of lithium batteries, many turn away; their duration is among the most crucial factors to consider. Lead-acid batteries typically have a lifespan of 100 to 800 recharging cycles. This lasts only a few years in ideal conditions with routine maintenance and regular solar charging.
- Lithium batteries, on the other hand, have a reputation for surviving 5000+ charge cycles, which equates to 10+ years of use.
- For instance, Battle Born backed their batteries with a lifetime guarantee and designed them to withstand 2,000–5,000 cycles independent of the drain depth.
The longevity and warranties offered are growing as this industry’s research and technological advancements continue. Brands that historically provided between three and five years of manufacturer warranty now provide ten or more years.
Verify the manufacturer warranty and any conditions before purchasing to avoid voiding the warranty. To make an informed choice, you should also confirm whether it is protected and the replacement procedure.