What is Solar Battery
A solar battery or photovoltaic cell is an electronic device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect. It is a form of photoelectric cell, a device whose electrical characteristics vary when it is exposed to light.
Benefits of Solar Battery
Lower Electric Bills
Yes, solar batteries are not exactly cheap. However, they're an incredible long-term investment that pays off times fold.
Over time, you'll see the savings add up on your electric bill — beyond what you would save with solar panels alone. Here are three ways that you can accrue cost savings with battery storage.
Energy Independence
Another key benefit of solar battery storage is energy independence. As power outages become more common, having backup power is critical.
While solar batteries won't run everything in your home, they can certainly provide relief during brief power outages, allowing you to feel more comfortable and have peace of mind during emergencies, storms or even earthquakes.
Hassle-Free and Low Maintenance
Usually, when we think about power backup, generators is the first solution that comes to our mind. However, compared to generators, solar battery systems, once installed, up and running, require very little maintenance.
First of all, generators require fuel. If you don't have enough fuel stored, you may find yourself in a pickle because gas stations can't pump fuel if the power is out.
On the other hand, solar batteries offer a hassle-free alternative. They “re-fuel” themselves with solar energy, so you don't have to worry about your reserves.
Reduced Noise
Generators are also notoriously noisy. And solar batteries are about as loud as a humming refrigerator. With a battery system, you can still have backup power that won't disrupt your daily activities or sleep.
Less Environmental Damage
In addition to being noise-friendly, solar batteries are also environment-friendly. Unlike generators, they don't require using fossil fuels that produce polluting gas emissions.
Since solar battery systems obtain power from the sun, you won't have to worry about creating more waste or increasing your carbon footprint any further. By using renewable energy, you'll be contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable planet.
Long Lifespan
Your solar battery storage system will last a long time. Newer lithium battery systems, are warrantied to last for at least ten years or 4,000 cycles, while generators typically have 3 to 5-year warranties.
Tax Credits and Rebates
If you install batteries with your solar power system, you'll get to take advantage of tax credits and rebates that apply to solar installations. Through 2032, the federal tax credit for complete solar installations is 30%. So if you're thinking about installing solar on your home this year, definitely consider adding battery backup simultaneously. Or even if you are adding energy storage to an existing solar power system, you'll still qualify for the credit.
Higher Real Estate Value
Installing solar panels along with a solar battery system could increase the value of your home or business. Property buyers see the value in clean energy and backup power that offers assurance and peace of mind.
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How Do Solar Batteries Work
Step 1 – Sunlight
It all starts with a little bit of sunshine. Without getting too technical, solar panels let photons (which are light particles) impact electrons and knock them away from atoms. This charges the atoms and generates an electrical flow.
The greater the sunlight, the more electricity is charged. That's why solar batteries charge up faster in the middle of the day when the sun is highest in the sky. This is also why solar batteries charge more slowly when there is less sunlight, either due to cloud cover or because of the time of day.
Step 2 – Energy Conversion
As electricity is generated by the solar panels, the electricity enters the battery through wafers of materials like silicon, plus circuits. At this point, the energy is typically stored as DC or direct current electricity rather than its opposite, AC or alternating current electricity.
DC vs AC Electricity
What's the difference between direct current and alternating current electricity?
In brief, DC or direct current power is straight or linear electrical current. It means that the electricity goes in a straight line or goes from point A to point B without changing its charge. Direct current is special because its voltage delivery (i.e. how powerful it is) is more consistent than that of alternating current.
AC or alternating current electricity, on the other hand, has a current flow that can swap between positive and negative. In other words, it goes in two directions.
Both AC and DC electricity are used for everyday devices and applications. For example, many electronic devices or handheld things use DC electricity. But many household appliances, like washing machines, refrigerators, and even household lights use AC power.
AC electricity is actually more common. Power outlets in homes bring energy into buildings as alternating current. The house then uses a converter to change the alternating current into DC electricity. Why? DC electricity can't travel as far as AC electricity. Plus, AC electricity is cheaper to make.
Due to the way solar energy conversion works, light is first captured as DC electricity. Then the battery storage process shifts depending on the type of solar panels you have.
Step 3A – DC-Coupled Conversion
If you have a basic DC-coupled solar energy system, the electricity enters your solar battery immediately. It is also stored as DC electricity rather than converting to AC and being stored in that form.
When your home or appliances need electricity, the electricity leaves the solar battery and enters an inverter. The inverter converts the DC electricity into AC electricity, which is then used by your home's appliances and devices.
Step 3B – AC-Coupled Conversion
If you have an AC-coupled solar panel system, the process is just a little different.
Sunlight hits the solar panels and your energy is captured as DC electricity as before. However, the electricity then enters an inverter and is converted into AC electricity immediately, which is perfect for instantaneous use by your home.
If there's any electricity left over, the excess flows back through a secondary inverter. It changes back into DC electricity, where it enters the solar battery for storage. Note that with this system, the electricity has to go through an inverter once again and become AC electricity as soon as your home requires it.
Both forms can work and neither is necessarily better than the other. However, AC-coupled conversion solar energy systems might be a little more efficient since the electricity is made immediately available for home use rather than being stored as DC electricity initially.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Solar Battery
Depth of discharge: depth of discharge measures how much of your solar battery charge you use before recharging it. For instance, if you use all of the stored energy in your battery, that's 100% depth of discharge. Batteries with different chemistries are designed to operate best at different depths of discharge–what's routine for a solar battery might be bad for a lead acid battery. Work with your installer to better understand how much of your battery's capacity you can use at once without impacting its long-term performance.
Cycles (overall and per day): each time you discharge and recharge your solar battery is one cycle, whether you use some, most, or all of the energy stored in the solar battery before topping it up. Many lithium-ion batteries are designed to be cycled daily so that you can charge them from solar panels during the day and use them to offset your usage after the sun sets in the evening. Batteries frequently come with a warrantied or expected number of cycles, typically between 5,000 and 15,000 cycles, which is a big difference: a solar battery warrantied for 5,000 cycles run once a day is designed to last for 13 years, while one with 15,000 cycles is designed to last over 40 years!
Operating and storage temperature: Not all batteries are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage. When working with your installer to design your battery system, be sure to consider whether your solar battery needs to be installed in a conditioned space, like a garage or basement, or if it can be installed outdoors. Subjecting your solar battery to temperatures outside its operating range can have a big impact on its overall performance.
How to Maintain & Upkeep Your Solar Battery
Safety Measures
Before you do any maintenance work on your solar battery (or any other part of your system), ensure the part is disconnected. You should always use gloves and eye protection when working on a battery. Batteries of any kind can pose a fire risk, so ensure you always have an extinguishing agent on hand near your batteries.
Checking Charge Levels
Charge levels are a great indicator of battery health. Taking a State of Charge (SOC) reading can tell you if your batteries are holding a charge. SOC readings are simple checks that measure voltage, and they are done with a tool our experts can recommend. Solar battery should reach a full SOC about every three weeks; however, you should be careful not to overcharge batteries. Overcharging can increase heat, causing damage and potential fire. It is also a good rule of thumb not to let your batteries completely drain; it can cause sulfation, which leads to battery failure. If you are storing a battery, it should be charged to at least 30-50% before being set aside.
Check for Damage
One of the best routine maintenance tasks a homeowner or business owner can perform is checking batteries for damage. A check can include:
Verifying the connections and cables are secure.
Tightening them.
Arranging for replacement if needed.
The battery terminals should also be checked to ensure they have not eroded.
Cleaning
Solar battery are often installed in a garage or on the side of your building in plain sight; cleaning them enhances them visually and can also help increase their lifespan. Always disconnect your battery before cleaning it. You should dust your batteries regularly and use a soft, wet cloth or brush to wipe down the outside case. Do not use stiff bristles or rough cleaning tools since they can leave abrasions. If your battery is particularly dirty, you can use a mixture of baking soda and distilled water to cut through rough grime. Make sure to dry the battery with a soft cloth if you have used water or a cleaning solution.
Installation Location
Regardless, it is crucial to understand how location affects your batteries. Solar battery are best kept cool; overheating can decrease their lifespan. Consider having batteries installed in a shaded area or inside your garage; otherwise, you may want to consider installing a cooling system to keep them from overheating. It is also recommended that batteries be kept away from excessive humidity and dust. Consider working away from your battery system, especially in an enclosed space like a garage.
Jiangsu OptimumNano Energy Co., Ltd. is a professional cylindrical lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology and production capacity platform. We adhere to the "LiFePO4" technical route, focusing on five core application areas: commercial vehicle electrification, energy storage, ship electrification, agricultural machinery electrification, and high-end lead-acid replacement. With a professional team with over 20 years of expertise in LiFePO4 battery technology, products, and processes, we are committed to becoming a more professional LiFePO4 battery technology and production capacity platform. Our independently developed 32800, 38121, and 46800 standard cells feature safety, fast charging, low temperature, and advanced processes, using Tesla's automotive-grade cylindrical cell technology and fully automated production equipment. With an innovative service concept of "serving complete vehicle manufacturers through collaboration with localities, material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, universities, and research institutions," we are dedicated to becoming a more professional LiFePO4 battery technology and production capacity platform.
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