{"id":704,"date":"2021-12-10T15:05:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T15:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wgsi.org\/?p=704"},"modified":"2021-12-10T17:38:03","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T17:38:03","slug":"how-long-do-solar-batteries-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wgsi.org\/blog\/how-long-do-solar-batteries-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How long do solar batteries last?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’ve read a few articles on how long solar batteries last, you’ll realize that the answer is “it depends.” However, let me boil it down and skip all the solar geek stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very few batteries exist for the direct intent of solar power storage. Most people use deep cycle or marine batteries depending on the size and use demands of the system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forklift Batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you can get them for a good price or have the money to spend, forklift batteries are one of the best you can get. Some people also use chemistry lead acid that covers flooded gel AGM and few other subcategories, but don’t worry about that if you are new to solar batteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithium Batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next on the list, we have lithium batteries. This includes lithium ion and lithium iron phosphate. Lithium iron phosphate is the best option for most applications, but no matter what type of battery you get, the design of the battery must be for deep cycle. That means constant regular deep discharging. Having a lot of storage that you should not use is not helpful– although lithium batteries over all tend to take this a bit better than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now if you could find lithium iron phosphate fork lift battery it would likely last 10-20 years i<\/strong>n the most demanding system but if you used a regular flooded lead acid starting battery you would likely only get a few months from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Solar Setups Affect How Long Batteries Last<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bottom line, how long your batteries last depends on the loads you put on it and how large the battery is. Heavy loads and more “recharge” cycles you could eat up a battery in 7 years, but if you aren\u2019t putting heavy loads they can literally last a lifetime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you are only powering a dozen LED lawn lights with a single 100 watt panel, the battery would likely last 5 years and still be providing subpar capacity for another 5 or even ten years before it completely quit. (Sub par capacity meaning less then 70 percent of rating but still over double the nightly requirement.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solar expert could tell you in detail with a bit of information about your usage and the battery bank you are thinking about buying. But here are some good tips to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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