How Long Do Solar Panel Batteries Last?
Introduction to Solar Panel Batteries
Solar panels are a considerable investment, and it’s natural to want to get the “most bang for your buck” from the solar panel batteries you incorporate into your system. Depending on the battery type (lead-acid, lithium-ion, or flow), maintenance, environment, and other factors, your solar battery storage system can enjoy serviceable lifespans ranging from five to 25 years of reliable performance.
At Solera Energy, our solar specialists will help you consider your goals and objectives to determine the most efficient and reliable solar battery solution for your needs.
Factors Affecting Solar Battery Lifespan
There are many factors to consider when choosing a solar battery. These include:
Depth of discharge (DoD): This is the percentage of battery capacity that can be safely discharged without compromising the integrity of the battery. In this regard, Lithium-ion batteries have a DoD of roughly 90%, which allows them to discharge more power than lead-acid batteries.
State of charge (SoS): The state of charge is the percentage of the remaining charge to the maximum charge of the battery. Again, lithium-ion batteries tend to have the highest marks in this regard.
Charge cycles: This is the amount of cycle lives you can expect from the battery. It’s calculated by estimating a full charge and discharge life cycle. Depending on the battery, it may offer anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 charge cycles before replacement is required.
Environment: Temperature, exposure to moisture, extreme weather shifts, air pollution, and other factors can influence the performance of your solar panels. Similarly, temperature has a considerable impact on battery performance, and it’s vital to select a battery that will perform reliably within your region’s expected temperature ranges.
Types of Solar Batteries and Their Expected Lifespan
Lead-acid batteries: Lead-acid batteries have anticipated lifespans of three to seven years, depending on manufacturer and quality. Thus, while less expensive than other options, you must factor in the cost of more frequent replacement into your planning.
Lithium-ion batteries: With proper installation and maintenance, most lithium-ion batteries last around 15 years.
Flow batteries and emerging technologies: Vanadium flow batteries and other new battery technologies may last up to 30 years.
7 Signs of Battery Degradation
Even the best manufactured, best maintained solar battery will eventually reach a point where it is no longer efficiently or effectively serving your needs. Some common signs that it is time to replace your solar batteries include:
- Reduced storage capacity
- Diminished ability to hold a charge
- Swelling or bulging
- Leaks
- Frequent warning lights or error messages on control panels
- Increased charge time
- Visual and performance indicators
Maximizing the Lifespan of Solar Panel Batteries
Solar batteries are essential for enhancing the utility of your solar panels. Thus, you will want to make the effort to keep them properly maintained to preserve their efficiency and performance. To that end, the following are steps we highly recommend to keep your batteries in their prime:
Regular maintenance and monitoring: Use apps and other monitoring tools to check your batteries’ performance regularly. This helps detect deficiencies and identify required maintenance.
Best practices for battery storage and usage: Carefully review the specific storage and usage requirements for your battery. Whether you have lead-acid, lithium-ion, or flow batteries, make sure the battery is properly ventilated and protected from moisture and temperature extremes.
Choose the right inverters and charge controllers: Inverters are designed to store electricity generated by your solar panels in DC form, while charge controllers are engineered to maintain the solar batteries at their highest possible charge state without overcharging or damaging the battery. Because of the critical importance of these functions, you will want to choose inverters and charge controllers suitable for your solar arrangement, needs, and budget.
Choose Solera Energy!
At Solera Energy, our solar energy specialists will help you select the optimal solutions for your needs. We’ll help you perform everything from calculations and installation to maintenance and repairs.
When you are ready to enjoy the many advantages and benefits of solar energy, contact Solera Energy to get started today!
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