Planning to go off the grid soon? A solar panel system can be your best companion for off-grid living.
However, you must be aware that solar power is not available at night time. For a round-the-clock power supply, you must have a reliable solar battery to store the energy.
When you are off-grid, your only other option for power at night is a diesel/petrol generator. Having one will take away all the advantages of installing solar panels.
Coming back to the solar battery, it is not an easy task to choose the right one for your home solar installation. You need to factor in diverse aspects to arrive at the right product. If you go overboard with one factor and ignore another, you will end up spending your hard-earned money on something that won’t meet your needs.
Read on to learn about various factors to consider when shopping for a home solar battery. You will also find here listed the 5 best batteries for solar power storage for off-grid living.
What to look for in a home solar battery?
Solar batteries come in mind-blowing varieties to suit the needs of users. When choosing a solar battery for off-grid living, you should focus on these features.
Power rating: This is given in kilowatts (kW) and relates to how much power the battery can provide at any given time. In the practical sense, this means how many appliances you can use at the same time.
Storage capacity: This is also referred to as the battery size and is given in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This will tell you how much energy the battery can store and provide. You need to remember that low power consumption appliances will run longer on the same stored power.
Lifetime: There are three yardsticks used to measure this – operational years, throughput, and cycles. Expected years of operation are easy enough to understand. Throughput is the amount of energy the battery can handle in its lifetime. Cycles refer to the number of rounds of charges and discharge the battery can manage in its lifetime.
Battery chemistry: This refers to the primary chemical used in it to store energy. This is one of the most important factors to look for in a battery. This influences the size of the battery, the amount of energy it can hold, its performance and longevity, and its ability to be recycled. And, naturally, chemistry has a big say on its price as well.
Based on chemistry, there are 4 broad categories of batteries –
- Flooded Lead Acid Batteries
- Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries
- Gel Batteries
- Lithium-ion Batteries
Roundup efficiency: The battery stores DC electricity. This means the AC electricity needs to be converted to DC for storage and back to AC for use. Energy is lost during these conversion processes. The roundup efficiency of a battery is a measure of the energy available for use after this process.
Safety requirements: All batteries need to satisfy certain safety provisions to be certified for home installation.
You also need to take into account the cost of the battery, ease of installation, charging time, and manufacturer warranty.
What is the best battery for off-grid use?
There is no simple answer to this question. It entirely depends on your requirements. You need to consider your energy demand, your solar installation, your limitations, and even your expectations to figure out the best solar battery for your needs.
If you want to power a large home with energy-guzzling appliances, you may want a high-capacity battery that can handle large amounts of energy round the clock. On the other hand, if you have budgetary constraints or you want to limit your energy use for the sake of the environment, a smaller-sized battery with better integration may be a better choice.
To figure out the best battery for solar installation, you need to filter the available choices by comparing the 6 basic battery features together with the 4 additional criteria mentioned above.
Let’s see how top battery brands stack against each other.
5 best solar batteries for off-grid living
Here are some of the best batteries for solar energy available in the market. For those living completely off-grid, several brands will suit your solar battery storage needs.
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery 12 Volt 100Ah for RV by Renogy
Overview:
Brand: Renogy | Weight: 66 Pounds |
Voltage: 12 Volts | Dimensions (LxWxH): 13 x 6.8 x 9 inches |
Electric charge: 100Ah |
Highlights:
- Sealed battery and leak-proof
- Low self-discharge
- Maximum 1100A discharge (5 seconds)
- Stable performance in extreme temperatures
- Can be connected in series or parallel (up to 4 batteries)
- Two silver-plated M8 terminal bolts for easy connections
Offering a stable and consistent discharge, this 12-volt battery can power most home appliances like laptops, microwaves, coffee makers, and more. Its capacity for 1100A discharge makes it suitable for appliances that demand a high startup current, like a fridge.
Renogy Deep Cycle AGM battery is easy to install and isn’t hard to get operational. It is safe to use anywhere as it is leak-proof and doesn’t emit harmful gasses. No need for monitoring or water refilling makes maintenance easy and simple.
Designed with a rugged ABS container material, the battery is durable and vibration resistant. The two M8 terminal bolts with easy-to-identify positive and negative terminals help with easy connectivity.
Though a bit on the heavier and bulkier side, the Renogy Deep Cycle AGM battery for solar energy storage is a good choice for RV, solar, marine, and off-grid applications.
Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery
Overview:
Brand: VMAX Solar | Dimensions (LxWxH): 6.8 x 12.9 x 8.7 inches |
Voltage: 12 Volts | Number Of Cells: 6 |
Electric charge: 125Ah | Expected lifespan: 10 years |
Weight: 75 Pounds |
Highlights:
- Rechargeable
- Solar Panel Compatible
- Fast charging
- Deep Cycle
- Dual Terminal
- Military-Grade Plates
- Heavy-Duty Exterior
VMAXTANKS AGM Batteries are designed with a tough exterior and custom-made military-grade plates and excellent deep cycle capabilities for dependable energy storage. Offering one of the maximum numbers of discharge/recharge cycles, this battery can withstand repeated cycles with minimum self-discharge in standby/power backup modes.
VMAXTANKS battery is built for 99% recombination capabilities. It offers leak-proof operation with no setback in capacity or lifespan in any position. The battery can operate even in cold weather and doesn’t emit toxic gasses or fumes.
This is one of those new-age trouble-free and maintenance-free batteries that doesn’t require you to add water or check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. In short, a perfect companion for your outdoor activities.
Battle Born LiFePO4 100Ah 12v Deep Cycle Battery
Overview:
Brand: Battle Born Batteries | Voltage: 12 Volts |
Electric Charge: 100Ah | Weight: 29 Pounds |
Dimensions (LxWxH): 12.75 x 6.88 x 9 inches | Number Of Cells: 4 |
Battery Chemistry: Lithium-Ion | Warranty: Full replacement warranty of 8 years (2-year pro-rata) |
Highlights:
- 100% discharge depth
- Fast recharge
- Built from non-toxic materials
- Can operate in extreme temperatures
LiFePO4 12V is a lithium battery designed specifically for use in RV/camper, boat, trailer, van, and other off-grid solar applications.
Designed with an in-built battery management system, this battery provides protection from common issues when charging or operating. The lithium-ion technology offers unlimited discharge options and mounting capabilities.
Portable and lightweight, the LiFePO4 12 lithium solar battery is an ideal partner for off-grid living.
ExpertPower 12v 33Ah Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery
Overview:
Brand: Battle Born Batteries | Voltage: 12 Volts |
Electric Charge: 100Ah | Weight: 29 Pounds |
Dimensions (LxWxH): 12.75 x 6.88 x 9 inches | Number Of Cells: 4 |
Battery Chemistry: Lithium-Ion | Warranty: Full replacement warranty of 8 years (2-year pro-rata) |
Highlights:
- Rechargeable
- Rugged and durable
- Sealed and maintenance-free
- Operates in a wide temperature range
- Easy installation
This general-purpose VRLA battery from ExpertPower uses Absorbent Glass Mat (ABM) Technology. It is designed with an ABS impact-resistant case for rugged outdoor use.
ExpertPower 12v 33Ah battery is provided with B2 type screw-in terminals for easy connectivity. The battery is capable of trouble-free operation in extreme temperatures – discharge between -40 °F to 140 °F (-40 °C to 60 °C) and recharge between -4 °F to 60 °C (-20°C to 122 °F).
ExpertPower battery comes with a standby battery life of 3-5 years and offers 50% Depth Discharge 500 Times. This lightweight battery is a perfect addition to your solar system.
Renogy Deep Cycle Pure Gel Battery 12V 200Ah
Overview:
Brand: Renogy | Voltage: 12 Volts |
Electric Charge: 200Ah | Weight: 127.9 Pounds |
Dimensions (LxWxH): 20.6 x 9.4 x 8.8 inches | Battery Chemistry: Lead Acid |
Highlights:
- Long battery life
- Safe charging
- Fully sealed Gel technology
- Maximum discharge current
- 3% self-discharge rate
- Suitable for series and parallel connections
- Marine terminals
Renogy Deep Cycle Gel Battery is designed with an ABS plastic container for all-weather use. An excellent choice for standby or daily power needs, this gel battery offers industrial-grade performance for residential use.
The gel technology used in this battery makes it leak-proof and spill-proof, besides avoiding the risk of water drainage. Renogy Deep Cycle Gel Battery is capable of powering most home appliances with a steady 10A to 20A discharge.
Though heavier and bulkier than many others in this class, Renogy Deep Cycle Gel Battery is a good choice for use with solar and wind power systems.
Bottom line
For your off-grid solar power system, a reliable and durable battery is important. With so many choices available in the market, choosing one is not easy.
When looking for the best batteries for solar off-grid, it is important to consider the specific needs of your system. Different battery types have different benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to do your research and find the right one for you.
With the right battery in place, you can rest assured that your solar system will be able to provide you with years of reliable service.
Recommended Reading:
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- Pros and Cons of Solar Panels on Roof
- Best Solar Panels for Cloudy Days
- Common Problems with Solar Panels on Roofs
- Solar Panel Maintenance Checklist
- How to Live Off the Grid with No Money
- Best Solar Generator for Off-Grid Living
- Best Outdoor Wireless Solar-Powered Security Cameras
- Best 5 Solar Panels To Charge Laptops
- Best Deep Cycle Batteries For Solar
- 5 Best 100-watt Solar Panel Kit
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- 5 Best Portable Solar Panels For Campers
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