There are 4 main types of solar batteries to be found in the market. These types are nickel, lithium ion, lead acid and flow batteries. When you have solar panels installed in your house, you will be able to generate clean energy during the day. But if you are not at home during the day, this energy will not be used. And no energy will be generated at night or on cloudy days.
Adding a battery backup for a solar energy system can increase the efficiency of your home. You will be able to store the energy generated during the day to power appliances at night. This is great for people who are living off the grid. You can look for solar battery deals when searching for places to source batteries. But make sure you understand the type of battery that is on offer and whether it is the right choice for your home. Lithium ion batteries are a very efficient option to consider. They can be used in small spaces or even trailer homes as they are lightweight and compact. These batteries have a very long lifespan and they can discharge a considerable amount of electricity. They can charge faster than other types of batteries and the safety factor is also high because you don’t need to worry about acid spilling in case of an emergency. Because these batteries are very dense, they can store a large amount of electricity. However, all these benefits come at a high cost. These batteries tend to be very expensive and there is a risk of the battery catching fire if installed incorrectly. So you need to choose a reliable and experienced solar company to carry out the installation.
Flow batteries have two chambers and it has a water based electrolyte. The flow battery has a great depth of discharge which means you can use up all the stored energy in the battery without causing it any damage. And because it is water based, there is no adverse impact on the environment. These are also very expensive and they take up a lot of space. Lead acid batteries have been around for a long time and it is the cheapest solution that you can consider. There are two types that you can go for in this range. There are sealed and flooded lead acid batteries. Sealed lead acid batteries have relatively low maintenance and the risk of toxic gas escaping is low. The flood lead acid battery is similar to car batteries. You should have a temperature controlled storage area that is well ventilated to store these batteries. There is a risk of releasing hydrogen gas. But these batteries have a low lifespan when compared to other options and the depth of discharge is quite low. They can also take up a lot of space.
Nickel batteries, just like the lead acid batteries have been around for a long time. These are called nickel cadmium batteries and one of the concerns with this battery is the toxicity of cadmium. It is very difficult to recycle cadmium given its toxicity and it can have a detrimental impact on the environment. These batteries are very durable and can tolerate extreme temperatures better than lead acid batteries.
