08 Jun
Posted By
Aziz
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Battery Options for Off-Grid SPP
There are many battery options for off-grid solar energies on the market. With new technologies, there may be confusion about which one to choose. However, among the options, which one is the most suitable for you, you will find the answer to this question in our article.
Flood Lead Acid (FLA)
Flooded lead acid (FLA) is the traditional battery technology and has achieved tremendous success in off-grid solar use. Now let's look at the pros and cons of this battery technology;
- Its service life is long, but it should be used carefully in order to prolong this life. It should be constantly checked and maintained.
-FLA batteries are the most resistant to damage if unintentionally overcharged.
-Since it is a dangerous material, its transportation and insurance is a little more expensive.
-They release hydrogen gas (explosive) during charging, so flammable and explosive materials should not be placed near the battery during charging.
- It should definitely be in a well-ventilated area. It should also be located outside of your living space.
-Supports high charge and discharge rates.
VRLA Battery (Valve Regulated Lead Acid)
There are two types of VRLA batteries. AGM and GEL are batteries. Both batteries are very similar and there are AGM and GEL batteries designed for solar energy use.
GEL batteries generally offer a longer service life. It allows for deeper levels of discharge without permanent damage. AGM batteries, on the other hand, offer higher discharge current. This causes them to be preferred as starter batteries in cars.
Important points about VRLA Batteries are as follows;
-Maintenance free.
-They don't last as long as a well-maintained FLA, but much longer than a poorly maintained FLA.
-It is a low cost option.
-It is cheap to transport and safe to transport.
- It is resistant to heat.
-It is the most reliable battery design. If it is overcharged far beyond its limits, gas emissions can occur. With a reliable charge controller this will not be an issue.
Advanced Lead Acid Technology
There are several new battery technologies based on lead acid. These are lead crystal batteries, lead carbon batteries, super capacitor batteries. Many of these batteries have very similar characteristics to traditional lead-acid batteries such as "Longer cycle life", "ability to discharge to 0 volts", "no degradation from partial charge".
Here are the key points about Advanced Lead Acid Batteries;
-No proven track record for now.
-They are designed for special applications.
-Potential to offer much longer service life than conventional lead acid technology.
- They are more expensive than lead acid batteries, but they make up for this cost considering their long service life.
- Whether it is suitable for off-grid applications can only be evaluated by observing.
Lithium Iron Phosphate
Iron phosphate is most suitable for off-grid use. They provide large capacity and current output for light weight and small dimensions. The biggest disadvantage is the high cost due to the use of rare earth metals. It is the most reliable among lithium technologies. But AGM and GEL are safer.
Important points about Lithium Iron Phosphate are;
-Requires a self-designed charging process.
They operate at voltages similar to lead acid.
-Provides very high current outputs.
It is much more expensive than other technologies.
We would like to tell you that; Batteries that have a high service life, can handle deep discharge (at least 1-2 times), are compatible with the inverter, are safe and cost-effective should be selected. Of course, while making these choices, it is a very important issue to base the battery on the place where you will use it.
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