The Benefits of a Lithium Ion Solar Battery

The upfront cost of a lithium solar battery is higher than other options, but the long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements make it worth the investment. Unlike lead acid batteries, lithium batteries are leak and corrosion free and don’t release toxic vapors when charged.

BigBattery offers a wide selection of 48-volt lithium batteries for your solar power system. Learn how they compare to other chemistries here.

High Energy Density

Lithium-ion solar batteries offer a high energy density, which is the ratio of the battery’s maximum charge capacity to its weight. This is mainly due to the fact that lithium metal has a higher lithium ion solar battery specific energy density than cobalt or spinel anodes. It also has a much lower cell potential than cobalt and spinel cathodes, which increases the energy density of the battery.

These batteries are also able to maintain a constant voltage, unlike lead-acid varieties that drop their output as they discharge. This allows you to get the most out of your solar system, even when it’s not in use.

Scientists and engineers at the US-based technology research centre Argonne have developed a new lithium battery with four times the energy density of current lithium-ion solar batteries. They claim it could someday power EVs, domestic planes and long-haul trucks. The battery uses a solid polymer electrolyte instead of the usual liquid variety. It also has graphite anodes and silicon-based cathodes. The anodes intercalate one lithium ion for every six graphite atoms and the cathodes intercalate 15 lithium ions for every 4 silicon atoms, giving the battery a remarkable charge-density of up to 2,577 mAh/gram.

Low Self-Discharge

A lithium battery self-discharge occurs when internal reactions reduce the capacity of a solar battery without it being connected to an external circuit. This is a function of the battery’s design, materials and its previous charging and discharging habits.

A battery that experiences a large amount of self-discharge has too much passivation in the cell. This restricts the flow of energy through the battery, lowering its lifespan. Conversely, a battery that experiences too little passivation loses its energy density over time.

Lithium iron phosphate batteries from KiloVault are designed for optimal self-discharge. Our batteries feature a proprietary design and high-quality raw materials that help to minimize self-discharge. Additionally, our batteries are rated for low ambient temperatures, further reducing temperature-related capacity concerns for our customers. Finally, our batteries are equipped with an internal BMS that monitors the state of charge and protects against voltage, current and temperature hazards. This helps to ensure that your solar system always has the power it needs. A dependable alternative to the flooded lead acid and VRLA chemistries, a lithium battery can be installed in a wide variety of locations.

Long Lifespan

A lithium ion solar battery has a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries, making it a good investment for your home or business. This long lifespan allows your solar system to generate more energy over time, which can make a significant impact on your electricity bills and reduce the overall cost of ownership.

One way you can extend your solar battery’s lifespan is to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended depth of discharge (DoD). For example, if your battery has a DoD of 90%, then try not to go beyond that limit.

You can also maximize your battery’s lifespan by ensuring that it is sited in an ambient temperature that will not affect its performance. For example, some lithium iron phosphate models from KiloVault are rated to operate at lower temperatures than others, helping you to avoid heat-related capacity concerns. Finally, it is helpful to use a battery management system that monitors your battery’s state of charge to prevent overcharging and undercharging, which can shorten a battery’s lifespan. The NREL research suggests that using this type of battery management can increase the lifespan by up to three times.

Reliable Warranty Coverage

A solar battery is an expensive investment, and you want to be sure that your warranty will provide protection. Check to make sure your warranty covers the important aspects of your battery system like throughput and cycle life.

Look for a 10-year warranty that offers at least a 70% end-of-warranty capacity guarantee. Be aware that some warranties have cycle and throughput clauses that could potentially shorten the warranty term a bit.

You also want to be sure that your warranty covers any activities you perform on your own that may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Some common examples include transferring your battery to another location or performing work on the battery without obtaining consent from the installer.

If your solar battery does experience a problem, the warranty should cover labor costs and shipping of a replacement. It should also cover diagnostic fees if your battery needs to be removed and replaced. It’s also important that you have a paper trail of any work performed on your battery to avoid any potential problems with the warranty coverage.

Excellent Customer Service

When purchasing a lithium solar battery, you should make sure to choose one with excellent customer service. You want a company that will be there for you long after you’ve installed your solar power system. This is especially important when you have questions about your new lithium batteries.

Panasonic is the third largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer in the world. Their NCA positive electrode technology provides superior charge efficiency and longer lifespan. Their batteries are also safer than lead acid batteries due to their lack of mercury and phosphorous.

SK Innovation is an energy storage company 200ah lithium battery founded in 2007. Their lifePO4 lithium batteries can achieve up to 100% discharge efficiency and have a long cycle-life. Their stacked lithium batteries are space-saving and easy to install, making them a great option for solar energy storage systems.

SVOLT is a spin-off from Great Wall Motor and is dedicated to the research, production, sales, and marketing of power batteries for new energy vehicles and energy storage systems. Their track record includes 1,200+ invention patents and 70+ overseas patents.