The solar energy received by the earth is not uniform throughout the day. Moreover the solar insolation varies with seasons as well. These factors necessitate the use of batteries that can store the energy produced by solar panels.
Considerations When Setting Up A Solar Energy Harnessing System
In the near future, the growth of solar power-based energy is going to be enormous. And if the electricity generated is to be stored properly, the development of power cells is a must. There are four types of batteries for solar storage, each of which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Suppose you are planning on establishing a solar power system for a residential area or an office setup; in that case, it is important to know the essential features of solar storage setups.
Affordability
There are four types of power accumulators. Of the four types, lead acid setups that use lead and a strong acid like sulfuric acid are the most affordable. These accumulators have been used for several years and the low cost makes them the first choice for most buyers.
Energy Density And Discharge Ability
Energy density refers to the amount of energy a power cell can hold vis-a-vis its size. If a setup is really bulky and does not hold much power, it has a low energy density. A power cell that has low energy density is inefficient, and this is a major drawback of lead acid-based setups. These systems are bulky and yet do not give much power.
Nickel-cadmium-based setups, on the other hand, have a high energy density. They are compact, and they last for a long while. So you must choose between lead acid-based setup versus nickel-cadmium ones based on your end goals. If affordability is your primary concern, go for lead acid ones, but if high energy density is your priority, then go for the nickel-cadmium-based setups.
Another metric used to measure the efficiency of a battery is its discharge ability. Flow batteries have 100% discharge ability. A setup that has a discharge ability of 100% is considered the most efficient.
Ease Of Handling And Safety
A solar storage battery may have to be transported or relocated from time to time. So, if a solar storage battery is bulky, it will be difficult to handle. Lead acid-based setups are quite heavy, and hence they do not offer ease of handling.
Apart from the ease of handling, the safety of the battery is another prime consideration for potential users. Solar storage batteries that use cadmium can become quite a health hazard as cadmium is toxic. So, if you are planning on buying a nickel-cadmium solar storage system, your safety should be your primary concern.
Conclusion
The usage of solar storage batteries is going to increase manifolds in the next few years. Being aware of the important features of solar storage batteries will go a long way in saving unnecessary costs and preventing any major accidents in a residential or industrial area.
