Solar Storage Batteries

An off grid solar power plant consists of a lot of important components, among them are the “Solar Storage Batteries”. These solar batteries need to be of a special type, as they play a vital role in storing the electricity produced by the solar grid. Generally people think of car batteries for this purpose, but you should know, that the car batteries are not at all suitable for use as ‘solar storage batteries’, as they wear out very quickly. The deep cycle batteries are the one used for this purpose.

The car batteries are designed to deliver a lot of power for a very short period at a time – that’s for turning on the starter motor of the vehicle. They are just not designed for the purpose of delivering a constant power supply, over a long period of time, as required by an off grid solar power plant.

No matter how good the car battery may be, but it will wear out too quickly and in the long run you will end up paying much more compared to the deep cycle solar storage batteries, as you'll be replacing the car batteries far more often.

Deep cycle batteries are designed specifically to be charged and discharged continuously over a period of years; this makes it an ideal solar storage battery.

There are a few different types of deep cycle batteries:

Flooded batteries:

Flooded batteries are inexpensive and are very much similar to car batteries, but with a thicker lead plates and higher energy density, which gives them a longer life, compared to a simple car battery. These can be used as the batteries for solar power grid, but not recommended.

Gel batteries:

Gel batteries use a thickener in the liquid electrolyte rather than water in the cells, resulting in zero corrosion. And the acid is immobilized using silica, which makes the battery non-spill able even when broken. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, this helps in reducing gassing. Deep cycle gel batteries are also known as dry cell batteries, non-spill able batteries, regulated valve batteries, or maintenance free gel batteries. Ideally Deep cycle gel batteries are much better choice than the Flooded  batteries, to be used as solar storage batteries.

AGM batteries:

In an Absorbed Glass Mat battery or AGM battery as they are commonly known, the matting is placed between the lead plates which, like in a gel battery, immobilize the electrolyte. Unlike the gel batteries the AGM batteries are not prone to form air pockets, and it can even withstand more overcharge conditions as compared to gel batteries. AGM batteries are also suitable for the cold weather temperature, as they lack ‘free electrolyte’, which ensures that the batteries will not crack and leak in the cold environment. These batteries are a better choice than Gel batteries for use as a solar storage battery.

So before getting your solar storage batteries, figure out your power requirements and choose the most appropriate battery for your solar power grid.

Are you willing to get rid of the monthly billing cycles of your Electricity bill, but are worried about the cost of installation of Solar Power for you home?

If your answer to the above question is YES, then I strongly recommend that you check out Earth4Energy.

This DIY (Do It Yourself) guide will not only help you build your own Solar Power system under $200, but also helps you build cheap Solar Storage Batteries and save more than 80% of your electricity bills. Click here to go check it out now!