More and more people are opting for off grid solar power generation, and at the heart of the system is the solar batteries. Deepcycle batteries can provide continuous power, making them ideal for applications that require a quick start-up, of these, lithiumion batteries are a relatively new option in solar energy systems which include lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganate, lithium polymer battery and etc. The LiFePO4 batteries are the mainstream choice of energy storage and are often used in backup systems and solar battery banks.
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A lithium battery (or lithium-ion battery, Li-ion battery) is a type of battery that is rechargeable for long-lasting usage, utilizing the revertible chemical quality of lithium ions. Featuring high electricity densities, low self-discharge, and many other advantages, lithium batteries are popular choices as a power storage solution for portable consumer digital devices and electronic vehicles. There are various types of lithium ion batteries, for example, lithium polymer batteries, Ternary lithium batteries, and lithium iron phosphate batteries. LiFeP04 is the abbreviation of lithium iron phosphate batteries, which is usually used for solar batteries due to its relatively stable chemical stability.
The work of lithium batteries can be understood as the movement of lithium ions. When we charge a lithium battery, lihium ions will move from the cathode (positive electrode), go through the electrolyte, and reach the anode (negative electrode). During the process, electrons are produced and will be kept inside by the separator. Vice versa, when we discharge the lithium battery, lithium ions will flow from the anode (negative electrode) into the cathode (positive electrode). Another article from the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) has made the whole process of how a lithium-ion battery works more intelligible.
Image courtesy: Sarah Harman and Charles Joyner, EERE
Let&#;s assume that you are looking for the answer to how long a lithium battery can work in your RV, electronic vehicle, or yacht, which means we will talk about lithium iron phosphate batteries. Working as power batteries, the average life cycles of LiFeP04 batteries are usually , which means that with one charge-discharge cycle per day, they can last for about eight years. And in a cold area, LiFeP04 batteries in a warm area can last longer.
Lithium battery SOC chart
For charging lithium batteries, you can use solar energy, alternators, shore power or grid power. It is the same thing when it comes to charging a LiFePO4 battery. If you have a solar panel system equipped on your RV or house, lithium iron phosphate batteries can be charged with solar energy, but a charge controller such as the MPPT charge controller is needed. For this type of component, we recommend Rover 100 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller from Renogy, which boasts versatile compatibility with solar systems of watts on 12 volts, watts on 24 volts, watts on 36V and watts on 48V.
Of course, it doesn&#;t have to use a solar power system to charge a lithium battery, though that can be a cost-saving option. You can also charge it through grid power. Having some electricity stored in a large lithium battery can be a life-saver when a blackout occurs.
But should you leave a lithium battery on charge all the time? Most lithium-ion batteries have built-in over-charge protection, which can cut the charge automatically once it detects a full charge has been reached. Besides, lithium batteries with a battery management system (BMS) also include other forms of protection mechanisms, including over-voltage, overcurrent, over-temperature, overvoltage and short-circuit protection.
A normal battery charger that just has charging modes is not recommended because it will cut in a float voltage at 13.2 volts, which means your lithium battery is only going to be around 80 percent charged as it needs to float at about 13.8 or higher. However, if you have a power supply or a battery charger that you can put into power supply mode, that will be perfect because the built-in BMS in the battery will turn that load off from your power supply when the battery is fully charged so that it won&#;t get overcharge or undercharge.
You can charge lithium batteries from a charger that may not have a lithium profile. But if it has power supply mode or if you have a power supply in your caravan or something like that, you can use that to charge. It is best to go with a lithium-compatible charger because it still has a couple of sequences that it may add to the charging process, but a single-stage battery charger, i.e., a power supply, also works.
The answer is no. Lithium batteries in series will only have an increased amount of voltage but their amperage will stay. For more details, check our guide to Series And Parallel Connections .
LiFePO4 batteries (or the LFP battery) are a premium storage option that is safe and durable and can be paired with solar energy systems to store excess energy. They are now the storage medium of choice in most solar applications due to their long lifetime, safety,cost-effectiveness, and low maintenance requirements. They are particularly appealing to boat, van, and RV owners.
1. Light and Compact
Energy density is the amount of electricity a battery can hold relative to its physical size. The higher the energy density, the more energy can be stored, whereas lower energy density means less available power and more weight. The lithium ion battery for solar is high density and so can store lots of power while taking up minimal space, which is great when space is at a premium. For example, a 100Ah battery of the same capacity of Renogy, the weight of lithium iron phosphate battery is 40% of that of lead-acid battery.
2. Safety and Stability
LiFePO4 batteries have one key advantage over other batteries: excellent thermal and chemical stability, which translates to improved safety. For example, lithium cobalt oxide and lithium manganate will explode in violent collisions, posing a threat to life; however, lithium iron phosphate has passed strict safety tests, which means that even if an accident occurs, there will be no explosion.
3. BMS
Every LiFePO4battery has a built-in battery management system (BMS) that automatically monitors things like battery temperature, state of charge, and cycle life to maximize battery performance. And if your electricity demand increases, you can expand the system hassle free, by connecting more batteries in parallel, each of which will be managed by its own internal BMS, operating independently and safely.
4. Reliable and Stable Power
Solar lithium batteries can also provide better quality and more constant voltage at any discharge rate. Constant voltage does not fluctuate over time: For example, lights will keep the same brightness throughout each usage period of the battery.
5. Low Self-Discharge Rate
When the lithium ion solar battery is not connected to the load and power supply, the energy may still gradually drop, which is known as self-discharge, or charge retention capacity. The self-discharge rate of lithium solar batteries is very low, generally only reaching 3% per month.
6. Environmentally Friendly
Li-ion batteries have low levels of toxic heavy metals compared to other batteries like lead-acid and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Cadmium, lead, and mercury have been major components of batteries for many years, but improper handling and exposure to these metals can harm humans, animals, and plants. Lithiumbatteries for solar are safer than many other kinds, although still do need to be recycled properly: Never dispose of used batteries in general trash!
7. Maintenance-Free
Many types of batteries require a periodic "balancing" process to ensure that all batteries are charged equally. Lithium solar batteries manage their status through BMS, so they don't need to be periodically "balancing".
Compared with other types of batteries, lifepo4 batteries have no special requirements for storage. They don't need to be stored upright or in any vented battery compartment. For long-term storage, it is recommended to charge the battery every six months to avoid low battery power.
8. Memory Effect
The memory effect is an effect of the internal crystallization of the battery due to use, which will temporarily reduce the capacity of the battery and shorten the use time. This usually happens with NiCd batteries, but lithiumion batteries do not suffer from this memory effect, so they always run out of the last bit of charge. Whether using 100% or 25% capacity, you can charge them without tedious maintenance.
When considering solar cell options, you need to compare different lithium batteries based on capacity, depth of discharge (DOD), battery life, and more to find the best battery for your PV system based on your needs.
1. Capacity
Capacity is the total amount of electricity that a solar cell can store. This data is usually measured in watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh).
2. Depth of Discharge (DOD)
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The depth of discharge (DOD) indicates the battery capacity used. The higher the DOD, the more usage you get from the battery capacity. Most solar batteries come with a recommended DOD to keep the battery healthy. Lithium ion batteries are deepcycle batteries and have up to 100% DOD, meaning you can use more of the energy stored in lithium-ion batteries without recharging as often as you would with other batteries. This also gives them a long service life and capacity is 25-50% higher than similar lead acids.
3. Cycle Life
Cycle life is the number of charge and discharge cycles that a battery can complete before it loses performance. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have more than cycles, while lead-acid batteries typically only reach between 500 and cycles. Assuming that one cycle is used each day, then a battery with a cycle life of retains its performance for five and a half years; a battery that boasts cycles can be used for more than ten years.
4. Continuous Charging and Discharging Rate
The charge-discharge rate refers to the constant current value output by the battery, when it is charged from an empty state to a fully charged state or discharged from a fully charged state to an empty state, within a specified time. For example, the Renogy 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery has a rated capacity of 100Ah and can be discharged for 1 hour at a 100A discharge current, known as 1C discharge. Additionally, the Renogy 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate battery with a self-heating function will automatically start running when the battery temperature drops below 41°F (5°C) while charging to ensure excellent battery performance.
5. Battery Life and Warranty
If you've owned a laptop or smartphone for a few years, you've probably noticed that the battery doesn't last as long in the years after that as it did when it first started. As each charge and discharge cycle progresses, the battery's ability to remain charged decreases. Temperature can also affect battery life. High temperatures mean faster reactions, so batteries discharge faster; low temperatures mean batteries have to work harder and charge at higher voltages.
Most batteries come with a warranty that guarantees the battery over a certain number of cycles or for a specified period. Like panels, inverters, or other solar equipment, choosing a well-known manufacturer with a long history is the safest option, as they are more likely to deliver on these promises.
Renogy has been a key player over the last decade as demand for quality renewable energy solutions has been booming. We never stop innovating because we know how much clean energy means. At Renogy, we offer a wide range of solar products, such as solar panels, deep cycle batteries, inverters, solar generators, portable power stations, charge controllers, etc. Join us in creating a truly sustainable future!
The Renogy 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery allows for auto-balancing of parallel connections and additional battery connection options. LiFePO4 batteries are protected by an integrated smart battery management system (BMS), which also monitors and manages the charging and draining process. A long cycle life and superior discharge performance are ensured by state-of-the-art battery cells.
Renogy's 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with Self-Heating Function combats the cold by warming itself up when the battery temperature dips below 41°F (5°C) and it&#;s attached to the input. Long cycle life and superior discharge performance are ensured by the integrated intelligent BMS, state-of-the-art battery cells, and self-heating capability.
A built-in Bluetooth module allows for real-time remote monitoring on mobile devices with the Renogy 12V 100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with Bluetooth. It's made with automotive-grade battery cells and has a long cycle life under a variety of loads. The sophisticated BMS ensures that the battery is well-protected. Because it is a standard BCI group size, it is an excellent replacement for deep-cycle lead-acid batteries.
a. Avoid being exposed to extreme temperatures
b. Store the batteries at moderate energy during off-hour
c. Disconnect the battery from your equipment if the battery is not used for a long time.
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All solar batteries have the same basic function, but each type is suited for different applications. Your solar battery will offer higher reliability and return on investment when its chemistry is suitable for the application at hand.
For example, some electricity consumers are subject to higher kWh prices at certain times of the day, or additional charges for sudden peaks in consumption. In this case, you need a battery bank capable of delivering large amounts of electricity in a short time. Lithium-ion batteries are suitable for this task, but not redox flow batteries.
Regardless of the battery type, you also need to consider the depth of discharge (DoD), which indicates a battery&#;s usable capacity. The service life of a battery can be drastically shortened if you exceed the DoD, or you can even cause permanent damage. For example, using 70% of the stored energy is acceptable with a solar battery rated for 80% DoD, but not a 50% DoD battery.
Lead-acid batteries are an established technology, commonly used by off-grid solar energy systems in remote locations. Lead-acid batteries are affordable and have a well-established supply chain due to their popularity, so you can easily find vendors and technical support.
In spite of their low cost, lead-acid batteries have some technical limitations you should consider:
An absorbed glass mat or AGM battery is an improved version of the traditional lead-acid battery. They can charge faster while having a spill-proof design and more durability. You can also find AGM deep cycle batteries that are designed for 80% DoD.
Using lead-acid batteries along with solar panels requires charge controllers to sustain a suitable charging current. These batteries should not be wired directly to your solar array, or your system may be damaged by excessive current.
Lithium-ion batteries have become very popular in recent years since they can achieve synergy with solar panels and wind turbines. For example, the Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ are two types of lithium-ion batteries commonly used in home solar applications. You can also find smaller lithium batteries from brands like Renogy and WindyNation, which are portable and better suited for DIY solar projects.
Lithium iron phosphate or LFP batteries are a subtype of lithium batteries, characterized by a superior service life. The best LFP batteries offer a service life of over 4,000 cycles at 80% DoD, which means they can last for over 10 years on a daily charging cycle. This makes LFP batteries the ideal complement to solar installations. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which need separate charge controllers, many of the lithium battery models that are commercially available come with built-in chargers and controls.
The main drawback of lithium-ion batteries is the high price, but this could change in the near future &#; the U.S. Department of Energy is targeting a 90% energy storage cost reduction by . Lithium batteries can also suffer a phenomenon called thermal runaway when used at high temperatures, which causes them to catch fire. You can prevent thermal runaway by making sure your batteries are high-quality and installed by qualified electricians.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are characterized by their durability, tolerance to high temperatures and simple maintenance needs. Thanks to these performance features, nickel-cadmium batteries are popular in industrial and utility applications. Unfortunately, cadmium is highly toxic to humans, so nickel-cadmium batteries are not recommended in homes.
Flow batteries store energy by separating positive and negative electrical charges in chemical solutions, which are stored in separate tanks. When these two solutions interact, they undergo a reduction-oxidation reaction (redox) and the battery releases energy. This battery technology is also referred to as &#;redox flow&#; for this reason.
The main disadvantage of redox flow batteries is their space requirement, and they are not cost-effective for small-scale projects. Even a small redox flow battery system can be the size of a shipping container, so using flow batteries in home solar systems is not viable.
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