Lithium-ion Solar Battery

What is the most important to us for a solar system? To save the bill? For clean energy? To protect us from grid failure?

Actually all the above are for a better life, a more secure life, a more convenient life.

Then lithium-ion solar battery has all fulfilled all the above. We no longer have to spend time & effort on maintenance, we no longer have to consider when to replace them, we no longer have to worry if there are any abnormal conditions.

Lithium-ion batteries have been identified as the best energy storage solution for the next generation. In addition to the popular electric vehicles, energy storage in solar systems are gradually switching to Li-ion battery due to the decreasing cost.

Here is a Video from a guy called Will, I really like him. You can take this video as a reference, and I do think he has made the point.

The Development of Solar Battery

Flooded | Wet

As the oldest deep cycle battery, the Flooded Lead Acid Battery is still used in many projects. The price is low, and the cycle life is good. But for us today, the disadvantage is also huge. It requires good ventilation and proper maintenance.

In short, it is not convenient.

Maintenance Free Battery – VRLA battery

Maintenance-free is compared to flooded batteries. VRLA batteries do not require that much maintenance. Regular inspection such as monthly checks on voltage and shell is enough. Not so much ventilation required, but for safety consideration, good ventilation is still required.

If you are on a budget, and only looking at 3 years of use, you can choose a deep cycle AGM battery.

It is recommended to equip Battery Balancer, which is good for balancing lead-acid batteries in series.

If you don’t use it very frequently, these batteries will probably stay with you for 8 to 10 years. But the truth is, you’re not actually “using” it.

Lithium ion Solar Battery

I think, lithium solar batteries are the true maintenance-free batteries.

No need to worry about anything else, just do not drain the battery. However, you don’t even have to worry about that, because the BMS already does the job!

The fast improvement of Li-ion battery technology is actually benefited from electric cars. TESLA, the international brand we know, opened the new generation of electric cars and Powerwall. They mainly use NMC lithium battery.

For solar applications, cycle life is more important. And most solar battery banks do not move, so the advantage of lighter NMC battery does not mean much to us. Of course, for small, portable, mobile solar applications, NMC battery is still an option.

SO, for stationary solar battery, LFP battery is the best choice. Safer, longer cycle life, and cobalt-free.

I have another post on LFP battery, compared LFP battery with other lithium-ion batteries. If you are interested, please click the weblink below:

LFP Battery Guides

12V 100Ah and 12V200Ah

12V100Ah and 12V200Ah are the most common and popular models in solar systems.

So we do have the drop-in replacement for them.

For marine, boats, caravan, RV, and your motorhome, BCI size groups stand for easy comparison on the sizes. According to the case size, LFP128100 belongs to Group31, while the Group8D includes LFP12.8V200Ah and LFP12.8V300Ah.

Belows is the BCI group table:

Generally, if you want the same working time as a wet or AGM lead-acid battery, get a lithium battery that is 60% of the capacity of the lead-acid battery you are replacing.

That is because the DOD of lead-acid battery is 50%, while lithium is recommended to be above 80%. If it is a 100Ah AGM battery, then the actual power consumption is 50Ah, then the required lithium battery is 50Ah/80%, which is 60Ah. It is 60% of the original AGM battery 100Ah.

LFP128100 & LFP128200, these two models hold 1.28kWh and 2.56kWh of energy, so if you’ve been checking your electric bills, you’ll know what that energy can do.

Let me take an example, 1kWh will support:

100 hours of a 10W LED light.

66 times full charge of latest smartphone.

20 hours of a 50W fan.

10 hours for a large 100W flat TV.

24V Battery or Battery Bank

Whether in RV, Van, Caravan, Motor Home, Boat, 24V100Ah battery is very popular.

For easy understanding, a 24V100Ah Li-ion battery actually holds 25.6*100=2560Wh=2.56kWh. It is capable to support inverter output, and discharge continuously at a high current, which is also a much better advantage than lead-acid battery. The constant discharge power can be 2.5kW, for 1 hour.

24V100Ah can be one single battery, or two 12V100Ah batteries in series.

24V200Ah | 5.0kWh

It is a typical number of daily energy consumption.

In my family of three, the monthly bill will not exceed 150 kWh for the time without air conditioner. It is less than 5kWh of electricity per day.

For most of the families, 5 kWh is enough for most of the time (without air conditioner).

48V Battery or Battery Bank

5kWh

Like the above 24V200Ah, It is a typical number of daily energy consumption.

It can be made up by below:

12V100Ah*4 units in series.

One unit of modular LFP 48V100Ah.

Wall Mounted Power Cube 5kWh.

10kWh

12V200AH*4 units in series

Modular LFP 48V100Ah *2

Wall Mounted Power Cube 10kWh

This solution allows you to turn on the air conditioner. If your monthly bill is 300 kWh, you can choose this option.

Of course, if you want more guaranteed power, double it!

20kWh

48V100 * 4 units in parallel.

No need to care more, it is enough for home use.

For Commercial Use, 50kWh, 100kWh, 500kWh

For commercial buildings with higher energy demands such as schools, factories, and gas stations, solar PV systems with battery storage allow businesses to maximize energy independence and reduce peak electricity consumption. For businesses without solar PV systems, battery storage allows businesses to store energy from the grid at off-peak prices and use it during peak hours.

MWh Solution

For solar power plants, ESS is also essential. It is mainly used as backup power, or to regulate the peak and valley power consumption between day and night.

Container Solution

Lithium-ion solar battery has a lifetime of more than 10 years, even if the cycle life is expired, there is still 80% of capacity remaining to use.

So, what else do we need? Choose lithium ion Solar Battery!