Where
is the power stored?
The power produced by the solar modules, wind and/or water turbine is stored
in the batteries for use when required.
Choosing a suitable battery...
The reliability and long life of a power system depends upon the
choice of good quality deep cycle batteries of the correct size (capacity)
in relation to the proposed household power usage.
Most batteries used in stand-alone household power systems are wet-cell
lead acid and are normally installed in a 12 volt, 24 volt or 48 volt configuration
(e.g. 6 x 2 volt batteries, 12 x 2 volt batteries or 24 x 2 volt batteries).
Preserving battery life...
Over discharge is the major cause of short battery life. For long
battery life, it is desirable to use only a small part of the total battery
capacity before recharging. Batteries undergo a charge/discharge cycle each
time they are run down and charged up.
What is "Deep cycling"?
'Deep cycling' is when more than half a battery's stored energy is discharged
before it is recharged.
Deep cycle batteries are especially designed for stand-alone power systems and
are able to take occasional deep cycling.
Car batteries, on the other hand, are designed to be fully charged all the time
and to give short bursts of very high current. When subjected to the deep discharge
cycles that are required with stand-alone power systems, car batteries will have
a very short life.
Power availability...
The power available from the battery bank is limited to the power supplied to
it by the energy source(s). In some ways, the battery bank can be compared
to a water tank - the water taken out must be replaced or you will soon find
yourself with an empty tank! (However, the aim with the battery bank is to
keep it well above half full capacity!)
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nick@solarworks.com.au
