Storage Batteries For Solar Installations

Your batteries serve as  the  power storage house of Solar setup.  Not unless you are planning on utilizing  power only wen the sun is shining, if otherwise, then you are going to need batteries to store your charges.

Type of batteries used for solar energy installations

 Deep cycle batteries are the batteries recommended for solar installations because they have
 the capacity to  be charged and discharged repeatedly due to the thicker plates they posses.

 Deep circle batteries also have a greater depth of discharge (DOD) as compared to other
 types of batteries.as they are designed to be discharged up to 80 percent at any point time without
 getting damaged.

We generally have three types of batteries that can be used for solar installations, they are:

1. Flooded acid battery
2. Gel cell battery
3. AGM batteries( Absorbed Glass Mat)

The power of a batteries is usually measured in amp hours.E.g a battery with a strength of 1000ah can sustain a current supply of 10 amps for 100 hours before it runs down.

Batteries can either be connected in series, parallel,or a combination of series and parallel connection
When connected in series, the overall voltage is increased while the current is constant, but when connected in parallel, the overall current is increased while the voltage is constant.

 But in the case of series/parallel connections  the voltage as well as the current across the board is increased.
For instance two 12volts batteries with a 100AH rating connected together in series will have a combined voltage of 24 volts.

While if those same batteries were connected in series. The voltage will still remain 12 volts, while the overall current will be increased to 200 ah.

Please note that parallel battery connections are usually discouraged by solar installers simply because the cells internal resistance are not always the same, and this can lead to one of the batteries becoming load for the other to carry.

Another thing to take into consideration is the length of the cables connecting the batteries together. Ensure that the wires are of the same length. Otherwise, some of the batteries will be receiving more charge than others thereby leading to the premature death of the batteries not receiving sufficient charge.

  Caring For Your Batteries

 Here are a few tips i think would be of great help.

1.Don't mix old batteries with new ones because the used batteries will act as load.


2 Don't connect two batteries with different Power ratings together,
    its not advisable.

3. Ensure that u don't discharge your batteries too deep so as to increase
    the lifespan. Just to be on a safe side, don't discharge your batteries below 70 %
    of battery Storage.

4.  Ensure that you keep your batteries in a well ventilated area, to allow
    the gas emitted by the batteries to escape and also because high
    ambient temperatures will shorten your battery life, hence you should  Store
    in a cool dry place.
 
5. Don't short circuit your batteries for any reason as this may cause damage
    to your battery cells and may even lead to personal injury.