
Solar Batteries

Solar power systems in remote or off-grid locations are a reliable and cost-effective way to create usable power. A solar power system is made up of solar panels, a charge controller, a battery and a power inverter. When sunlight hits the solar panels, photons and electrons interact to create a direct current (DC). The electrical current travels from the panels to the power inverter which converts the DC to a useable alternating current (AC).
The power output of a solar panel system is not always consistent depending on the amount of sunlight it receives. When the panels receive no sunlight, no power is output and any device directly powered by the panels will cease to operate. This is where a battery comes in. The DC created by the solar panels will travel through a charge controller which will regulate the current and voltage to make sure that the batteries are at their highest state of charge without overcharging. Solar batteries store power from the solar power system based on its amp hour rating. This is the the number of amps a battery can output in one hour before needing to be charged.
Deep cycle batteries are the best choice for solar power systems. Lithium and lead acid batteries can have deep cycle capabilities. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a useable capacity of 80-100% and have the fastest recharge rate. They have an extremely long cycle life and provide constant voltage over any rate of discharge. Valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries have a usable capacity of 80% and a charging efficiency of 95%. They are maintenance-free and fast-charging.
Products
A basic solar setup includes:
- Solar panels. The solar panel is going to absorb sunlight and convert that sunlight into energy.
- Charge controllers. The charge controller is going to direct the energy that's absorbed by the solar panel to specific locations.
- Batteries. A battery stores energy that is absorbed by the solar panel when it is not being used by the electrical load.
- Inverters. An inverter takes DC power and converts it to AC power for use in homes or businesses.
The solar panel is absorbs sunlight and converts that sunlight into energy, in this case, DC power. That energy is going to be transferred over to the charge controller, which dictates where that energy actually goes. The charge controller is going to be wired to both the battery and it's also going to be wired to an electrical load. The charge controller will monitor the energy that is coming off of the solar panel and determine where that power is needed. For instance, if power is needed for an electrical load, it will send power in that direction. If there's no power that's needed for that electrical load, it will send power to the battery to store for later use. In the case where there is no need for power at the electrical load and the battery is full, the charge controller will dissipate that energy in the form of heat. In other applications, an inverter may be used in a solar setup. The inverter works by drawing energy, DC power, from the solar panel. It converts that energy into AC power, which can then be used in homes and businesses.