Solar panel systems have become one of the fastest-growing sources of energy in India. A solar panel battery is capable of storing extra solar power for later use.
Solar batteries function by storing energy produced by the solar panels for later use, the higher your battery’s capacity, the more energy it can store.
Proper effort should be paid to maintaining a solar panel battery. Care of a solar panel battery is one of the best ways to increase its life and decrease the lifetime cost of your solar power system.
The life of your solar panel batteries depends on several important parameters. How the same is being stored, whether it is being serviced, etc. are important considerations.
Most people are unaware of the fact that solar panel batteries suffer from sulfation. When sulfation occurs, small sulfur crystals start accumulating on the lead parts of the battery. To safeguard your solar panel batteries from such an issue from taking place. It is important to care for your solar panel batteries.
Types of Solar Panel Batteries
Different types of solar batteries have distinct features. These are:
- Lithium-ion battery
One of the most widely used solar batteries present today that are widely used for solar panels. These require little to no maintenance every day. They can also hold more energy and have a long life span.
Lithium-ion solar panel batteries are highly inflatable and equally expensive.
- Lead acid batteries
One of the oldest batteries in use, these have been used the longest in solar panels and other solar-powered appliances. There are two main types of lead acid batteries:
- Sealed lead acid batteries
- Floored lead acid batteries
These are cost-effective and can be disposed of easily. This solar panel battery maintenance requires a well-ventilated room and has a short lifespan.
- Flow batteries
Flow batteries can be used to store energy from solar panels in electrolyte solutions. These are then pumped through a power cell to convert chemical energy into electricity. The electrolyte is kept separate from conductors by a membrane which allows electrons to flow through electrochemical cells.
Low batteries store electricity generated during the day by solar panels and release it during the night. This helps ensure a reliable Power grid. Flow batteries can store energy for many hours even when there is no electricity production from solar sources. These are generally safe as they do not contain flammable electrolytes,s unlike other types.
Flow batteries have a service life of at least 20 years and their raw materials can be used again makinthemit recyclable.
- Nickel cadmium batteries
These are mostly used in the aircraft industry and are durable. The solar panel battery maintenance is minimal as it hardly requires maintenance and can operate at extreme temperatures. However, the downside to this battery type is that it is highly toxic.
Ways to Ensure Solar Panel Battery Maintenance
Listed down are some ways in which you can maintain your solar panel battery easily:
1. How to Charge Batteries?
If you are someone who is looking to get a solar power battery, you need to understand its charging mechanisms. In other words, being familiar with the battery cycle can allow you to strengthen and improve the life of your solar panel battery.
According to experts, the following are the three main phases of charging you should know about-
Float-
Float charging is also known as trickle charging. Experts opine that in such a charging process, the batteries get charged as soon as they are discharged. Meaning, there is no net loss of battery power.
Bulk Charging-
You need to understand that bulk charging can only be possible in completely discharged batteries. In such a situation, a discharged battery is kept in charge until it is fully complete.
Absorption-
This is very similar to the process of bulk charging. In this scenario, the electrical flow through the voltage is kept at a high frequency when the battery is discharged. The frequency keeps getting slower as the battery gets charged.
An adjustable solar charge controller or inverter will allow you to mediate and negotiate the voltage requirements for the above-mentioned three charging processes. If you have individual queries, you should always get in touch with an expert who can help you out. Or, you can go through the manual of the battery and get the information you are looking for.
2. Cleaning Your Batteries: What you Need to know
Many people feel that cleaning batteries are a very complicated procedure. However, if you are following the proper processes, you will be able to avoid all the dangers of cleaning a battery.
All you need is some baking soda and a few litres of distilled water. You will also need a specific kind of tool to help you out which is known as a battery cleaning brush.
You must follow the guidelines of experts that recommend that all the connections need to be tightened. They also state that whatever metal parts are there on the battery need to be sealed and covered with a sealant or grease.
3. Replacing the Batteries: How it Should be Done
If you are looking to replace the batteries, make sure that you are not indulging in ‘mixing’. This can seriously impair the performance of the battery.
Old and new batteries should not be mixed. If you do so, your new batteries will age much faster and get drained because of the increased work they will have to perform when the old batteries are failing. You should always go for new batteries. This will be much more cost-effective and allow for proper functioning for long periods.
Importance of Battery Maintenance:
It is important that you take proper care of your solar panel batteries and if poorly treated, solar batteries can go bad in a matter of weeks, leaving you in the dark and with money down the drain. With proper maintenance and care, you will be able to store energy, and this will reduce your dependency on the grid for additional power.
Storing energy will allow you to use the most environmentally friendly energy available. With a well-maintained battery, you can easily use the stored solar energy according to your convenience.
You can shop for a solar panel battery from India’s most trusted retailers such as Luminous. Browse through their website and choose the best solar battery according to your needs and budget.
You can seek help from a team of dedicated professionals who will help you with the installation process and guide you through the maintenance procedure too.
Read Also:
