Size of solar power batteries
The first thing you should consider is what size batteries you need. You can decide what size you need by looking at:
- the storage capacity of the solar power batteries
- the maximum rate of discharge
- the maximum rate that they will charge
- the lowest temperature that they will be used at
Many people do not have a good understanding of how the amps and the amp hour requirements are related. It is important to either understand this so you can make the best choice for your needs, or to seek expert advice.
How temperature affects solar power batteries
The temperature that you will be storing solar power batteries at will play a big part in your decision as well. When a battery is stored in colder temperatures it has a lower capacity rate than one that is stored at a warmer temperature. Lead-acid batteries are definitely affected by temperature but there are specific brands that are created to have less of an impact when they are stored in colder temperatures.
Specifications for solar power batteries
The amount of electrical energy that a battery can hold at one time is measured in amp hours. If you can use one amp of energy for 100 hours then you will be using 100 amp hours. You should ensure that the solar power batteries that you choose can sustain your energy needs for the period that there will be no direct sunlight. This could mean night fall or a very cloudy day. In either case you will be relying on your batteries to provide you with the energy that you need.
Other considerations
The wiring for your solar system may vary depending on your needs. You can use series wiring or parallel wiring. Series wiring allows you to increase the output of volts. Parallel wiring allows you to increase the output of amps. The main difference between the two types of wiring is how the batteries are connected to each other.
While most people that are operating a solar based system make use of the most common lead acid batteries, it is important to know whether the battery is a shallow cycle battery or a deep cycle battery. The shallow cycle batteries are the batteries that are used to start vehicles. These batteries provide larger amounts of current for a smaller amount of time. They do not function well if they are extremely overcharged and they are not a good fit for the operation of a solar unit.
Deep cycle batteries have been designed so they can be recharged repeatedly. This makes them a much better choice for your solar power system. It is important that these batteries receive a full recharge after every cycle. When you leave it uncharged for a great deal of time you may find that it does not maintain the capacity that it had when you first purchased it.
There are many things to consider when you are purchasing a battery for your solar powered unit. Solar powered batteries will play a big part in the success of a solar powered system so it’s important to choose wisely.
Take a look at solar power batteries on our website.