What is the difference between an accumulator and a solar battery

Muchas veces hemos escuchado baterias solares, acumuladores de energia son lo mismo? o son dispositivos diferentes. A continuacion te explico las diferencias.

Solar batteries allow the energy generated by the solar panels to be stored during daylight hours, while an accumulator is a device that transforms chemical energy into electricity, its main characteristic being that it allows electrical recharging. A battery is made up of several accumulators , so although it may seem the same, we are actually talking about different things.

What is the difference between an accumulator and a solar battery

Without accumulators a battery could not work and thanks to solar batteries we can achieve energy independence from the grid, because they allow us to use our energy from the sun even when it is not possible to produce it , such as on cloudy days or during the nights. Batteries therefore allow us to make the most of the solar energy captured.

At the same time, batteries for solar panels offer multiple benefits , such as being able to have the energy that has been generated at any time we need it, they emit almost no pollution into the environment, and their useful life is long, being able to exceed 15 years. It is also important to point out that below 80% of its capacity, a battery continues to function, thus guaranteeing energy storage. Let’s see below the most significant differences between an accumulator and a solar battery.

Difference between a solar battery and an accumulator

We define an accumulator as a source of electrical energy generated by direct transformation of chemical energy and made up of one or more rechargeable secondary elements. And battery as the set of batteries or accumulators connected to each other, forming an integrated and closed unit within an outer casing not intended to be disassembled or opened by the end user. Therefore, a battery is made up of several accumulators. And depending on the materials with which a battery for the storage of solar energy is manufactured, there will be different types.

When the lead or lead dioxide in a battery is exhausted, it is used up, being necessary to recharge it by passing an electric current from the positive plate to the negative, using an alternator or dynamo or connecting it directly to electricity so that lead sulphate decomposes back to lead on the negative plate, and to lead dioxide on the positive plate. The fundamental difference between a battery and an accumulator is that the latter is a cell that stores energy through an electrochemical process and the battery is the set of these cells to achieve the necessary voltages.

Types of batteries for solar panels

As we have commented previously, depending on the materials with which they are manufactured, there are different types of batteries for the storage of solar energy:

Monobloc Batteries

The most common, recommended and economical model for use in low and medium power solar installations. They are indicated for the use of simple electrical appliances without a motor (lights, microwaves, television…). These are high-performance batteries for self-consumption solar installations. This type of battery can have 3 or 6 internal cells or accumulators of 2V each , connected to each other forming a single block of 6V and 12V, respectively. The accumulators of these monobloc batteries are made of lead and electrolyte. Regarding the capacities of these batteries, it should be noted that there are all kinds of options: from <100Ah to 800Ah.

Its great advantage over open lead acid is that it lasts longer. Although the characteristics of these batteries are altered by the use made and the intensity of the discharge, the life cycles of monobloc batteries can be summarized as follows:

• Monobloc gel batteries > +1100 charge cycles
• AGM monobloc batteries > +500 charge cycles
• Open lead acid monoblock batteries > +350 charge cycles

stationary batteries

Ideal for photovoltaic installations of medium and high consumption, they offer a useful life of close to 20 years, thanks to the fact that the lead plate they carry inside is tubular and contains more lead than those of monoblock batteries, which the plate has flat. They offer great resistance for continuous charge-discharge cycles.

Like monobloc batteries, there are different types of stationary batteries depending on storage capacities and durability, with open lead acid and gel batteries being the most accessible. They are recommended for use in homes, farms or facilities for daily use , where the consumption to be carried out is previously known.

lithium batteries

They offer high durability and require little maintenance . They are the most profitable in the long term due to their greater loading and unloading depth (close to 90% of their capacity). Its smaller dimensions also stand out among its features. Unlike conventional batteries, this type of battery offers integrated intelligent management and lasts 6,500 charge cycles.

Lithium batteries can be classified based on their voltage . In this way, we differentiate between Low Voltage (LV) and High Voltage (HV) batteries.

Thanks to the photovoltaic installations at POWEN we offer you the possibility of mounting solar panels for self -consumption with or without storage . You choose the project that best suits your needs, but it has the support of a team with extensive experience in the national scene.