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Home » Solar Energy » Batteries for solar system
Batteries for solar system
In my experience, the two primary factors are:
1. How long do you expect / need to have the batteries last
2. What type of load do you expect to handle when on battery
I usually recommend a minimum of 3 days at 50% of normal for a stand alone system where persons are available to take action and monitor the situation while on backup. That said, each case has its own constraints and criteria to be weighed.
My personal choice in battery type is 12v or 24v marine (sealed gel or glass pack) batteries. I find these work well for establishing battery banks of various amp hours at a reasonable capitol and maintenance cost. Again, the customer may have special consideration that force other or additional constraints (e.g. must be a lead free system, requires very high voltages, etc.)
For a project where we need to provide 24hr support for a standalone irrigation system in central Arizona. The choice was 12v 100Ah Gel. We had 12 independent stations that needed to provide power for: irrigation controls, work level lighting, low level safety lighting, ground moisture monitoring, and a single 120v 15amp outlet. Because these sites ran autonomously for 1 week intervals, we had to ensure that if the solar power was cut off immediately after servicing the system could provide its minimal operations for a full week. We realized that the work lighting and outlet were only used when the site was serviced, so looking ant the combined power consumption of all other elements we realized that a single 100Ah battery would suffice at a station, making a grand total of 12 batteries.
Remember that every element in the system draws some power, including the inverter, and I find it a best practice to base my sizing on peak amp draw rather than average. Yes people can and do suggest smaller backup systems, but when the customer needs them, they must work and be sufficient. So don't be afraid to tell them what they will actually need. They will thank you when it comes into play.
As far as the batteries themselves, I strongly recommend getting a copy of "The Handbook of Batteries" by David Linden. I find it to be the most comprehensive single reference on the subject with many excellent comparisons to guide you in choosing the right type for your application. It is not cheap but it is worth it.
1. How long do you expect / need to have the batteries last
2. What type of load do you expect to handle when on battery
I usually recommend a minimum of 3 days at 50% of normal for a stand alone system where persons are available to take action and monitor the situation while on backup. That said, each case has its own constraints and criteria to be weighed.
My personal choice in battery type is 12v or 24v marine (sealed gel or glass pack) batteries. I find these work well for establishing battery banks of various amp hours at a reasonable capitol and maintenance cost. Again, the customer may have special consideration that force other or additional constraints (e.g. must be a lead free system, requires very high voltages, etc.)
For a project where we need to provide 24hr support for a standalone irrigation system in central Arizona. The choice was 12v 100Ah Gel. We had 12 independent stations that needed to provide power for: irrigation controls, work level lighting, low level safety lighting, ground moisture monitoring, and a single 120v 15amp outlet. Because these sites ran autonomously for 1 week intervals, we had to ensure that if the solar power was cut off immediately after servicing the system could provide its minimal operations for a full week. We realized that the work lighting and outlet were only used when the site was serviced, so looking ant the combined power consumption of all other elements we realized that a single 100Ah battery would suffice at a station, making a grand total of 12 batteries.
Remember that every element in the system draws some power, including the inverter, and I find it a best practice to base my sizing on peak amp draw rather than average. Yes people can and do suggest smaller backup systems, but when the customer needs them, they must work and be sufficient. So don't be afraid to tell them what they will actually need. They will thank you when it comes into play.
As far as the batteries themselves, I strongly recommend getting a copy of "The Handbook of Batteries" by David Linden. I find it to be the most comprehensive single reference on the subject with many excellent comparisons to guide you in choosing the right type for your application. It is not cheap but it is worth it.
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