Solar batteries are a considerable investment and can cost anywhere between £3500 and £12,500, depending on their capacity. Making such a significant purchase, homeowners are keen to know whether they’ll need to fork out again in the near future.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Solar Battery?
Solar batteries are designed with a long lifespan in mind but, as with anything, they won’t last forever.
These batteries are attached to a solar panel system and will hold onto any excess power which can be used at a later date to power the appliances within your home. Many people install them to use as a backup or to continue powering their home sustainably through the night.
Most solar batteries have a lifespan between five and fifteen years. Although this varies between battery types.
Since a solar panel system usually lasts up to thirty years, you’ll normally need to replace your first battery at least once during this time.
What Factors Impact The Lifespan Of A Solar Battery?
While solar batteries are typically designed to have a long life, there are certain factors that can decrease this.
Battery Type
In the main, there are four different types of solar batteries which include flow, nickel-cadmium, lead-acid and lithium-ion. These batteries are all designed to be able to store enough energy to power your household in a surprisingly small physical space.
Lithium-ion batteries tend to be favoured for domestic installations as they are not as affected by a short charging and discharging cycle and will receive less damage throughout these cycles. However, the downside to these batteries is that they’re generally a lot more expensive.
Lead-acid batteries are far more affordable than lithium-ion but they are also nowhere near as efficient so may have a much shorter lifespan.
If you choose a flow battery then these do have a very generous capacity for storage but are typically too large for a domestic property which is why you usually see them being used for commercial applications. In any case, the lifespan is much better than lead-acid.
Nickel-cadmium solar batteries have a very good lifespan and are able to perform even when exposed to high temperatures. However, they are one of the more expensive types and the cadmium can be dangerous so these batteries have actually been banned for sale in the EU since 2016.
Depth Of Discharge
When you purchase a solar battery, one of the things you need to look at is its depth of discharge, which is usually referred to as DoD. This essentially tells you how much of the battery can be discharged without causing any damage and is given as a percentage.
Most homes opt for a lithium-ion solar battery which will typically have a DoD of 85 – 95 %; again I have to reiterate that this will vary between products so it’s always important to look at this.
What this means is that the battery can be discharged by up to 85 – 95% without sustaining any damage. If it is discharged any more than this, then the battery will begin to degrade prematurely.
The good news is that most batteries are designed to resist being completely discharged so it’s unlikely that this will ever happen.
Charging Cycles
Another thing that could determine the lifespan of your solar battery is its discharge and charging cycle.
All rechargeable batteries are designed to withstand a particular number of discharges and charges. How often your battery is charged will have an impact on how long it lasts.
Of course, when you’re using your battery, you can’t avoid charging it and the more you do, the quicker it will degrade.
When the battery reaches its maximum number of charging cycles, it won’t just stop working immediately. Instead, it will stop being able to store as much energy and will likely struggle to output that energy as efficiently. When this happens, you know it’s time to buy a new one.
Temperature
Temperature can play a significant role in the lifespan of a solar battery. Most batteries are designed to work within a specific temperature range and this will usually be detailed in the product listing so you can choose something that suits the climate in which it will be installed.
When batteries are exposed to extreme temperatures (hot or cold), this affects their performance and can decrease their lifespan.
Fortunately, the UK doesn’t usually receive temperatures that are extreme enough to affect the battery’s performance but it’s still something worth keeping in mind.
Most solar batteries are designed to work optimally between -20ºC and 50ºC
Battery Environment
While temperature is one environmental factor that can affect the battery’s lifespan, the environment in which it is placed can also play a role.
It is possible to store your solar battery outside but when it is exposed to the elements, this is sure to impact how long it lasts.
For this reason, many homeowners choose to place it in a garage or other outbuilding where it will be better protected. If this isn’t possible, even placing the battery in a sheltered outdoor area could be enough to afford it the correct protection.
Maintenance
Taking good care of your solar batteries will, like any product, ensure a healthy lifespan. As I have mentioned, choosing a good location can play an important role in this but there are other factors to consider in terms of maintenance.
While solar batteries don’t require a whole lot of looking after, keeping them clean is a good way to maintain them. This can be done using a mixture of baking soda and water applied with a battery terminal brush.
In the unlikely event that anything goes wrong with your battery before its lifespan is over, addressing the problem quickly will ensure it doesn’t die before its time.
Do Solar Batteries Come With A Warranty?
Having a warranty gives you the peace of mind that, if anything goes wrong, you won’t be left to foot the bill. Keep in mind that warranties usually come with stipulations such as the correct use and maintenance of the product. You’ll usually also need to register your purchase in order for the warranty to be valid. Not doing these things could void the warranty and then you won’t be covered in the event of failure.
The length of time your battery is covered under its warranty can vary greatly between manufacturers and battery types.
For example, lead acid batteries typically have a much lower warranty than their lithium ion counterparts which could be covered for up to ten years.
It’s always important to check the warranty details before making a purchase so you are able to get something that meets your needs and gives you the cover you require.
