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Lead-Acid vs. Lithium Batteries for Off-Grid Power Systems
Battery storage is an integral part of any off grid solar system. For one, this is your primary source of electricity after the sun goes down or during cloudy days when there's not enough sunlight for your solar panels to power your appliances sufficiently.
Given the many options for battery storage systems, some first-time off grid power users can get confused about which power pack to add to their setup. Among the strong choice contenders are lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries as these are also the most popular among establishments that rely on battery power.
If you're currently weighing which battery you should get, here's a quick guide on what to look for and how both a lead-acid and lithium battery would fare under a variety of factors you need to look for in a battery storage system.
What Are The Factors To Consider When Choosing An Off-Grid Battery?
Power & Capacity
Check the battery's power rating and capacity. This will give you an idea of what to expect during operation, especially if you don't plan on using your power pack the entire day.
Capacity is expressed in kWh and indicates the actual amount of energy stored in the battery. However, more is needed in determining the overall output of your battery pack. You also need to look at the power rating which indicates how much electricity your solar battery can provide your home in a single interval.
Tip: Remember, high-capacity + low power = great for emergency backup power & can run several essential appliances. Meanwhile, low-capacity + high power = will run an entire house but only for a few hours only due to less stored electricity.
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
Depth of Discharge refers to the percentage that you can safely discharge your solar off grid battery to maintain optimal health. We recommend going for a high-DoD battery, as this means you get to use more stored energy before needing a recharge.
For example, if you have an off grid battery with a capacity of 10kWh, it should ideally have a DoD of 60% which means you can use a maximum of 6kWh before charging your power pack again.
Efficiency
Opt for batteries with good round-trip efficiency. This refers to the ratio of energy you can utilise from the solar cell to the energy you need to store electricity. High efficiency also translates to cost-effectiveness as they provide more electricity, making your power pack worth every penny.
Warranty Offer
Aside from choosing a battery with up to 10 years of life expectancy, check its warranty too. A good warranty offer indicates not just an extended lifespan but also reliability on the part of your provider.
Lead Acid vs. Lithium Batteries: Which Is Best For Off-Grid Systems?
LITHIUM VS LEAD-ACID IN A SOLAR OFF GRID BATTERY SYSTEM |
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Round 1: Cycle Life |
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Lithium A lead-acid battery or an AGM battery usually has a service life of around 500 cycles which can last you a good 3 to 4 years. |
Lead-acid A lithium battery, specifically a LiFePO4 battery, can have up to over 3000 life cycles, which is multiple times more than that of a conventional battery's lifespan. |
Round 2: Depth of Discharge |
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Lithium Lead-acid batteries can be discharged down to 50%. Anything beyond this can negatively affect your battery's performance and lifespan. |
Lead-acid Lithium batteries are known for their ability to be discharged down to 80% or more for longer runtime, particularly lithium deep cycle batteries. |
Round 3: Efficiency |
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Lithium The efficiency rate of lead-acid batteries ranges from 80% to 85% which means if there is 100W of sunlight generated by your panels coming into the power pack, only 800-850W will be available to you after charging and discharging. |
Lead-acid Lithium-based batteries have over 95% efficiency rate, which gives you a faster charging rate that allows for a smaller configuration of your entire PV system (fewer solar panels, smaller backup power source). |
Round 4: Charge Rate |
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Lithium Conventional lead-acid batteries can only handle a limited amount of charge current due to the possibility of overheating. |
Lead-acid Lithium-based power packs can handle a higher amperage when charging, meaning they can be topped off much faster. |
Round 5: Energy Density |
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Lithium It would take around 8 lead-acid batteries to power a 5.14kW system due to lower energy density. |
Lead-acid Lithium batteries can fit more capacity in a lighter form, which allows for only 5 battery packs to power a system of the same size. |
The VoltX Energy Battery Advantage
Clearly, we know that lithium is the winner when it comes to choosing the best off grid battery system. These power packs are just designed for modern times. They're the most recommended for energy storage, which is why it's not surprising that millions of Aussie homes have been getting one as well.
Off grid solar batteries paired with a solar power system can significantly lower or even eliminate your energy bills, especially at a time when energy prices are continuously rising. It offers complete grid independence by providing daily power that is practical, efficient, and safe.
Here at VoltX Energy, we have tons of off-grid solar system packages with batteries to choose from. Our plans are geared to accommodate small to large-scale power requirements and are comprised of only premium quality components, including lithium-based battery storage. Request a quote today & our experts will reach out to help you determine the system that best fits your needs.
