

Instead, they have a recommended depth of discharge: how much can be used before they should be refilled. For example, if you use a quarter of your battery’s capacity, the depth of discharge would be 25%.īatteries don’t discharge fully when you use them. Depth of Dischargeĭischarge depth refers to how much overall capacity is used before recharging the battery. Deeper discharges put more stress on the battery, which shortens its cycle life. The one that has gone through 100 cycles is in much better shape.Ĭycle life is also a function of depth of discharge (how much capacity you use before recharging a battery). A sealed lead-acid battery at a vacation home may go through 100 cycles in 4 years, whereas the same battery might go through 300+ cycles in one year at a full-time residence.

Same goes for batteries and the number of times they’ve been cycled. When you evaluate the condition of a used car, mileage matters a lot more than the year it was produced. Think of it like putting mileage on a car. We measure the lifespan of batteries not in terms of years, but rather how many cycles they can handle before they expire. When you discharge a battery (use it to power your appliances), then charge it back up with your panels, that is referred to as one charge cycle. 5 Key Differences Between Lead-acid and Lithium Batteries 1. However, in real-world applications, factors like discharge depth, temperature, charging source, overall system design, and your willingness to perform regular maintenance will affect the true performance of your batteries. We’ve done our best to give an apples-to-apples comparison of these batteries based on their printed specs. This comparison is based on the length of the warranty offered by the manufacturers. We are estimating that the lead-acid batteries will be replaced 3 times over a 10 year period, the lifespan of 1 lithium battery.

The best lithium battery chemistry for solar applications is Lithium Iron Phosphate, shorted to LiFePO4 or LFP batteries. FLA batteries also need to be installed in a ventilated enclosure to allow battery gases to escape. These must be checked regularly and refilled every 1-3 months to keep them working properly.įalling behind on upkeep can shorten the life of the batteries and void the warranty. The distinguishing feature of FLA batteries is that the plates are submerged in water. When you build a solar system, you have three main battery options: Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) Let’s go over the pros and cons of each option in more detail, and explain why you might choose one over the other for your system. Lithium is a premium battery technology with a longer lifespan and higher efficiency, but you’ll pay more money for the boost in performance. Lead-acid is a tried-and-true technology that costs less, but requires regular maintenance and doesn’t last as long. lithium-ion batteries - the two main battery types used for solar. Specifically, we’re going to look at lead-acid vs. Welcome to our Solar 101 series! This article goes over a choice you’ll need to make if you buy a battery-based solar system, either to move off the grid or to add energy storage to your grid-connected home. This article offers a side-by-side comparison of both options. Lithium batteries are much more expensive up front, but they are maintenance-free and have a longer lifespan to match their higher price tag. Lead-acid batteries cost less up front, but they have a shorter lifespan and require regular maintenance to keep them running properly.
