simpliphi battery

Maintenance Tips for Different Types of Solar Batteries

Solar batteries are the go-to solution for storing solar energy. Whether you have an off-grid system or a hybrid system with a backup battery bank, those batteries are an important part of your total setup. The type of batteries you have will influence the system’s overall efficiency and performance—and it’ll determine how much upkeep your battery bank requires. Keep reading to learn more about the maintenance requirements for different types of solar batteries.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries have become the most popular solar battery type in recent years. They offer exceptional performance and efficiency, and they have an impressive lifespan. In terms of maintenance, lithium batteries don’t actually require any! Once installed, you can essentially just leave your battery bank to do its thing for years without any concerns.

The one consideration for prolonging the life of your lithium batteries, including the Simpliphi battery, is to ensure that the battery bank is not installed anywhere with extreme temperatures. Very hot or very cold temperatures can have a negative impact on a lithium battery’s lifespan and overall performance. You’ll also want to monitor their charges when the batteries get near the end of their usable lifespan, simply so you know the best time to replace them for optimal performance.

Flow Batteries

Flow batteries are more commonly used for large-scale solar operations, so you won’t commonly see these in residential solar setups. They include a chemically-charged liquid within the battery’s tank to store the solar electricity.

simpliphi-power-phi-3-8-battery-bank-1920-1080.jpg (1920×1080)

Flow batteries do require annual maintenance, and it’s best to have a technician perform this routine inspection. The batteries will need new air filters, and the electrolyte-based liquid will need to be topped off as well.

Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries are quite inexpensive and dependable, and they’ve been around for a long time. Because of their solid reputation, they’re still a popular option among solar users, despite being somewhat less efficient than lithium batteries.

They also require quite a bit of regular maintenance. You’ll need to check the terminal connections a couple of times each year to ensure they haven’t loosened, and you’ll need to top them off with distilled water periodically. (If you have an AGM or gel lead-acid battery, these don’t need to be filled.) You should also ensure they’re installed somewhere with proper ventilation, as they can release toxic gases.

If you’re looking for a reliable battery with extremely low maintenance requirements, a lithium Simpliphi battery is going to be the best choice. Once you’ve installed it properly, you won’t have to worry about performing any regular maintenance on your battery bank for years to come.