How long do solar batteries last?

If you have a solar power system with a battery bank, you may be interested in knowing How long do solar batteries last? in this article we will tell you about it.

Between skyrocketing electricity costs, destruction from natural calamities, and fluctuating grid outages, it’s no wonder why more homeowners are turning to solar for their energy needs. A solar battery system allows you to absorb more solar energy and store it until you need power to light your place.

How long do solar batteries last?

Regardless, it helps to ask yourself a few questions before investing in one. One of these questions is, how long do solar batteries last? It is essential to learn more about the type of battery storage that would be most useful for you.

Above all, getting great results with solar starts with being a knowledgeable buyer. Let us explore more about the lifespan of solar batteries to help you make a final, thoughtful purchase decision.

The lifespan of solar batteries

Of course, investing in reliable solar batteries will help you significantly save the electricity your solar panels generate during the day. Not to mention, determining the best batteries for your solar will certainly help you make the right decision. Whether you need a solar system for your small home, cabin, RV, or any other setup where you rely primarily on stored energy, you need to be well informed.

The universal range for the useful life of a solar battery is between five and fifteen years. This means that if you install a solar battery now, you are more likely to replace it at least once to accommodate your PV system’s 25-30 year lifespan.

However, just as the lifespan of solar panels has expanded dramatically in the last decade, solar batteries are anticipated to follow suit as the market for energy storage solutions expands.

Basically, proper maintenance can also have a noticeable impact on the lifespan of your solar batteries. Solar batteries are tremendously affected by temperature, so protecting your battery from scorching or freezing temperatures can significantly help extend its life.

A photovoltaic battery will need more voltage to acquire an optimal charge when it drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, when that same battery gets above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it will overheat and demand a decrease in charge.

To avoid this problem, many reputable battery manufacturers today produce solar batteries that come with temperature moderation as an essential feature. However, if the solar battery you buy doesn’t have this feature, you’ll have to look at other solutions, such as earth-protected housings.

Remember that quality maintenance efforts can greatly affect the life expectancy of your solar battery.

What are the other factors that also affect the lifespan of solar batteries?

Battery composition

The type of battery you choose could make a noticeable difference; this is especially true when solar energy is stored. Batteries based on contemporary lithium-ion technologies require a more substantial initial investment; however, they are not prone to rapid degradation and may warrant longer service.

On the other hand, lead-acid batteries have been well-known and less expensive options for decades; however, they typically have a shorter lifespan of only 3-5 years.

Temperature

A battery acquires greater chemical activity when stored at high temperatures. This makes solar powered batteries less powerful in colder climates. However, the cyclic life of a battery is reduced with increasing temperature.

Cyclic life of the battery

You can quickly detect the useful life of a solar battery through the number of usage cycles it has or its cyclic life. For example, you can expect a flooded lead-acid battery to produce between 300 and 700 cycles.

On the other hand, lithium batteries are capable of providing 2000 cycles. A GEL cell battery is powerful enough to generate 500 to 5000 cycles.

Depth of Download (also known as DoD)

This refers to the range at which you can use a solar battery compared to its full capacity. Batteries drop when charged or discharged. This, as a result, reduces your ability to retain more energy.

For example, a battery rated at 100 kilowatt-hours at 60% depth of discharge would have an exceptional charge of 40 kilowatt-hours.

round trip efficiency

It refers to the difference between the amount of energy used to charge it and the energy available. Of course, a solar battery with higher round-trip efficiency means it’s more cost-effective. It is critical to aim for a round-trip efficiency of approximately 80%.

How to increase the life of the solar battery

Regardless of how stellar the battery design is, if it is not maintained properly, this will not guarantee comprehensive services.

Here are some tips that could help extend the life of a solar battery:

• Improve equalization in solar batteries

Battery equalization refers to the process of overcharging solar powered batteries in a regulated approach. Therefore, an uneven charge leads to sulfation of the plate. Overcharging removes this via gassing.

Today, there are solar batteries that are designed with  solar charge controllers  . This feature is beneficial to restrict overload.

• Use suitable solar batteries

Batteries that are the right size for your application will ensure long life. These days, more consumers prefer lithium batteries because they have a long lifespan and are kinder and safer for the planet we live on.

Regardless, GEL cell batteries remain the most preferred choice due to their proven long life, typically lasting five to seven years when properly sized. Make sure the type of battery you use has a nominal voltage of 25.6 volts or 12.8 volts, as these options last longer.

• Regulate the number of batteries

Consider reducing the number of batteries used in the bank. Using multiple batteries can strengthen the connection and resistance, which is more likely to end in uneven charging. Therefore, it is crucial to regulate the number of batteries used in your bank to four or less.

• Make sure that your solar battery does not discharge for a long period of time

Your solar batteries are more prone to damage if stored for a long period of time. You must constantly turn on your charging source to allow the battery to constantly charge to facilitate uninterrupted sunlight.

What to look for when choosing a battery that’s right for you

There’s no denying that energy storage systems offer countless advantages, from ensuring power for emergencies to saving more money in the long run. However, not all homeowners are aware of the technical intricacies that solar batteries bring.

So, to help you avoid scratching your head every time you come across unfamiliar terminology, we’ve listed some of the factors to focus on and look for in a solar battery.

How do you decide which solar battery specifications are most important for your needs?

Honestly, you have several points of comparison and different potential decision criteria to make when evaluating your energy storage options.

Here are some of them:

• Higher Usable Capacity –  You should look for a battery that comes with a higher usable capacity if you want to run your house on your battery for a long period of time.

• High Power Rating –  Look for a battery that has a high power rating. This feature is vital if you prefer to power more of your home or workplace at once.

• High Instantaneous Power Rating –  This is valuable if you want to ensure you can power more energy-hungry appliances. For example, you need to power a sump pump; You will need a battery that has high instantaneous power.

• LFP Batteries –  These batteries are designed with the highest safety rating and longest life. In short, if security is your main concern, these alternatives will give you more peace of mind.

Also, it can cycle lithium iron phosphate batteries for the longest amount of time.

• Higher Round-trip Efficiency:  Batteries with higher round-trip efficiency will allow you to get the most out of every kilowatt-hour of electricity you store in them.

• Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Lithium Ion Batteries –  These types of batteries are for space constrained applications and if you want to ensure you get the most storage in the least amount of space.

Conclusion

It is important to note that not all solar batteries are created equal. Specific solar battery systems incorporate state-of-the-art design and technologically advanced features to avoid the degradation process. On average, some solar batteries typically last a few years; however, a high-quality system is capable of meeting your storage requirements for 5 to 15 years.

Solar panel battery life depends on many different complex factors. Therefore, understanding how these factors affect the long-term performance of a solar battery can help you decide the most suitable alternative for your application. Hopefully, the information shared in this post can help you better understand the right solar battery options for you.