Using solar batteries has multiple benefits. This includes saving electricity, decreasing your utility bills, and contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of living.
Solar batteries are additionally a good back-up power source. If your power goes off frequently and you want a back-up option to keep your electrical appliances running, then a solar battery is a great choice.
If you have solar panels on your roof, then installing a solar battery can be even more advantageous. Many homeowners who harness solar power end up with a surplus of energy. In some cases, this can be sold back to your local electric grid.
However, this isn’t an option for everyone, or even if it is, you may want to store the surplus for when your solar panels are less effective at generating energy. In that case, having a battery at home means that you can save that surplus electricity for use at a later date.
If you are thinking of buying a solar battery, it is important that you understand the types of batteries available and which are best for your needs. Read on to learn more about the types of deep-cycle solar panel batteries to ensure you make the most informed purchase decision.
Contents
What are deep-cycle solar batteries?
Photovoltaic sun-based panels, also known as solar panels, create power by converting the sun’s rays into energy. Deep-cycle solar batteries are then used alongside these sun-powered systems to help store excess energy harnessed from the solar panels.
This energy is stored as DC energy. Therefore, you will need to use a power inverter with deep-cycle batteries to turn that energy into AC energy, which you can use to power your home and appliances.
Deep-cycle batteries are also very high capacity. This is necessary as you need a high capacity battery to store as much energy as possible.
How do deep-cycle solar batteries work?
As mentioned, deep-cycle solar batteries act as storage for excess solar energy. During the day, solar panels will produce energy which is sent to a panel box.
Some of this solar energy will then be used to power your house or whichever building relies on this solar energy supply. If there is any excess energy left over, that is what will begin to charge the deep-cycle battery.
Once your battery is charged, any additional energy will flow back out onto the grid or can be stored for future use. If the energy is stored, you can then easily draw power from the battery, reducing the amount of energy you need to take from the grid.
If you cannot generate all the energy you need from solar, new technology makes it easier to work out the best times to use up your solar supply stored in your battery and the best time to use grid-supplied energy.
When there is high demand for grid-supplied energy, you will use solar energy. When this demand drops, your energy will then be supplied from the grid. This is cost-effective and makes the best use of your renewable energy stores.
Things to keep in mind when purchasing deep-cycle solar batteries
When comparing batteries, you will want to set a budget for your battery purchase and consider the battery’s ease of installation, the time it takes to charge, and its discharge rate. You will also want to to keep the following in mind:
1. Battery lifespan
Deep-cycle solar batteries will “cycle” (charge and deplete) every day. Once depleted, they will need to be charged again. This is a similar process to the way your cell phone charges and then depletes energy during use before needing to be recharged.
Just as with a cellphone, your solar battery’s ability to hold a charge will diminish as it gets older. Eventually, it will hold so little charge that it will need to be replaced. The period from buying the battery up until that point is its lifespan.
When purchasing a deep-cycle battery, you will want to know how long it’s expected to last. For instance, you may find that a battery is assured at 70 percent of its original capacity for 5,000 cycles, or 10 years.
This means that after 10 years, it will only be able to hold 30 percent of its charge, making it effectively useless.
You want to ensure you purchase a battery with the correct lifespan to avoid it dying sooner than you’d like, and to avoid you paying for a battery with a longer lifespan than you need.
2. Battery warranty
When buying deep-cycle solar batteries, it is important to look over the warranty that each manufacturer offers. You should ensure the warranty lasts at least 2 years.
Your battery’s ability to store and supply energy overtime will decrease until eventually it needs replacing, as discussed above. Therefore, ensure that there is a decent warranty on the battery you buy.
Without a decent warranty, you may end up having to pay for a replacement before the battery’s average lifespan has occurred.
3. Battery power
Battery power refers to the battery’s maximum energy output, estimated in kilowatts per hour (kWh).
The amount of battery power you need will depend on how much of your energy supply you want to come from solar energy. On average, a household will use 30 kWh of energy per day and a standard solar battery will deliver 10 kWh of power.
So if you want all your energy to come from solar, you will need 3 batteries with a battery power of 10 kWh each. If you are looking to substitute just a small part of your energy usage with solar power, you can opt for a battery with a lower capacity.
For those after more than 10 kWh of battery power, most solar batteries are “stackable,” so you can use several renewable batteries together without any issues.
Best deep-cycle solar batteries
Now that you know what to compare when looking at different types of solar batteries, let’s check out some of the best options on the market. Note that the prices will vary so we have not included the retail price of each battery.
1. Renogy Li 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
With the support of the RJ45 contact ports, the Renogy Smart Iron Phosphate Battery allows equal connections for automatic balance. It also offers more mobility for connectivity through the battery.
The battery management framework not only secures the battery from different unusual conditions but screens and oversees the charging/discharging preparation.
The built-in battery safety mechanism optimizes the efficiency of the battery by dynamically balancing cells and offers several safeguards to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, shortening, and overheating.
Product details:
Voltage: 12.8 volts
Weight: 26.01 pounds
Dimension: 6.8 x 7.4 x 11.4 inches
Number of cycles: 2000+
2. WindyNation 12 Volt AGM Deep Cycle Sealed Lead Acid Battery
WindyNation BattaMax Series batteries are real AGM batteries with a deep cycle designed to provide off-the-grid electricity. Their sealed and low maintenance design is perfect for storing renewable energy.
Product details:
Voltage: 12 volts
Weight: 66 pounds
Dimension: 13 x 6.8 x 8.7 inches
3. KiloVault HLX Lithium LFP Deep Cycle Battery
The lithium-ion batteries of the HLX series have been crafted and tested to function on deep-cycle renewable energy batteries underneath the often brutal environments of off-grid or hybrid inverters and battery chargers.
Lithium Ferro-phosphate cells of the HLX series (LiFePO4) are secured, maintenance-free, and extremely effective. They have a remarkable period of 2,000 cycles with a complete 100 percent release depth. This battery also has a 7-year warranty.
Product details:
Voltage: 12 volts
Weight: 27 pounds
Dimension: 12.5 x 6.5 x 8.5 inches
4. Trojan Flooded Lead Acid Battery
The battery separator gives a broad configuration that improves fluid flow for optimal battery efficiency and greater resistance against divisions.
The battery’s polypropylene case also safeguards against adverse climatic conditions, such as humidity and soil accumulation, and guarantees against acid leakage.
Product details:
Voltage: 6 volts
Weight: 67 pounds
Dimensions: 10.30 x 7.13 x 11.74 inches
Terminal type: 16
5. VMAX SLR125 AGM Sealed Deep Cycle 12V 125Ah
Vmaxtanks specializes in the manufacturing of high-quality AGM deep cycle batteries. These batteries offer superior performance and 8-10 years life span in float mode.
This battery has the power to absorb electrolytes due to its spill-proof blueprint. The superior sealed valves take care of pressure and capacity loss. The robust posts and welds make sure that no vibration or external force can harm the internal structure of the batteries. Float Service Life span of 8 to 10 years
Product details:
Voltage: 12 volts
Weight: 24 pounds
Dimensions: 8.31 x 5.18 x 7.22 inches
Posts: Forged terminals and bushings
