|
Batteries are a
key component in a grid-tie with back-up or a stand-alone renewable
energy system that all of the other components rely on for
operation. Without proper maintenance, batteries can fail
prematurely and shut the whole system down.
The "Best" battery for a particular system
is not always the most expensive, but it is seldom the cheapest
either. You need to know what your battery storage requirements
are.
How
much battery storage, in ampere-hours, do you need?
As a
rough rule of thumb for home solar systems, the total battery
capacity (in amp-hours) should be five times your daily usage. 5
days of storage or backup is commonly used. To work out what you
storage you require just take your average daily usage in watts and
divide by the battery voltage. For example, if you use 3 KWh
(Kilowatt-hours) or 3000 Watts of electricity per day and your solar
electricity system operates at 12 volts, then dividing 3000W by 12V
gives you 250 AH. It’s important that the battery is not discharged
and we suggest discharge should not be more than 50%. At 50%
discharge you will need 500AH of battery storage.
What types are battery are used with solar
photovoltaic and wind turbine installations?
There are two popular types of battery used for solar
photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine installations. These are called
GEL and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and are in
fact types of lead acid batteries. Both GEL and AGM They store
their charge very well and do not degrade as easily as the common
lead acid (wet cell) battery. Because of the type of material
used as the electrolyte (GEL or Absorbed Glass Matt) there is very
little chance of a hydrogen gas build up that can lead to an
explosion and these batteries do not experience corrosion.
They are very safe batteries and are therefore ideally suited
to solar pv and wind turbine (remote power) installations.
NOTE: there is some confusion over which battery (AGM
or GEL) should be used for solar photovoltaic (pv) or marine
installations. In most cases AGM batteries are perfectly
suitable and are cheaper than GEL.
|
AGM BATTERY |
|
|
 |
AGM
BATTERIES are
sealed batteries that use "Absorbed Glass Mats", or AGM
between the plates. These type of batteries are very rugged.
Being maintenance free, AGM batteries are thus ideally suited
for use in grid-tied solar power systems with battery back-up.
Because they are completely sealed they can't be spilled, do
not need periodic watering, and emit no corrosive fumes, the
electrolyte will not stratify and no equalization charging is
required. AGM's are also well suited to systems that get
infrequent use as they typically have less than a 2% self
discharge rate during transport and storage. They can also be
transported easily and safely by air. Last, but not least,
they can be mounted on their side or end and are extremely
vibration resistant. AGM's come in most popular battery sizes
and are even available in large 2 volt cells for the ultimate
in low maintenance large system storage. |
|
|
|
GEL BATTERY |
|
|
 |
GEL
BATTERIES contain acid that has been turned into a
“gel” through the addition of Silica Gel, turning the acid
into a solid state. These batteries are impossible to spill
acid even if they are broken. However, there are disadvantages
to using this type of battery. They cannot be fast charged or
they may be permanently damaged. This is not usually a problem
with solar electric systems though. If the battery is charged
via an inverter trickle charger then it’s important to set the
charging current correctly to limit the charging current to
the batteries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC BATTERIES |
CELLYTE 6-12TSG Solar
Gel Range VRLA Deep Cycle Gel Batteries |
 |
CELLYTE TSG Solar range valve regulated
rechargeable batteries fitted with Monobloc Catalyst to enhance
battery performance, life and performance at temperatures up
to 30 degrees C.
Designed for use in daily cyclic renewable PV
Solar energy applications in remote areas where reliable
dependable electricity storage applications are required.
Capacity: 60 ah to 300 ah C/100 to 1.80 vpc at
20-30 C.
Design life up to 10 years with Catalyst in
cyclic or float service
|
|
|
CALL FOR PRICING |
Battery capacity is determined by the amount of electrical energy
the battery can deliver over a certain period of time and is
measured in Ampere hours (Ah) when discharged at a uniform rate over
a given period of time.
Click on the titles for more information
on
BATTERY SIZING
and
BATTERY CAPACITY
APPLIANCE LISTING AND POWER CONSUMPTION
|
APPLIANCE |
AVERAGE WATTS |
STANDARD CAR BATTERY @75AH |
GEL BATTERY
@ 105AH |
| Video Player |
40 |
16.7 |
27.0 |
| Light Bulb
|
60 |
5.6 |
9.0 |
| Coffee Grinder |
75 |
4.4 |
7.2 |
| Electric Knife |
100 |
3.3 |
5.4 |
| Electric Mixer |
100 |
3.3 |
5.4 |
| Phone/Fax |
110 |
3.0 |
4.9 |
| Computer
|
200 |
1.8 |
2.8 |
| Electric
Blanket |
250 |
1.3 |
2.2 |
| Blender |
350 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
| Electric Drill |
400 |
0.8 |
1.4 |
| Food Processor |
500 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
| Washing Machine |
600 |
N/R |
0.9 |
| Hammer Drill |
750 |
0.4 |
0.7 |
| Microwave (500
Watt) |
850 |
N/R |
0.6 |
| Hover Mower
|
1000 |
N/R |
N/R |
| 6" Circular Saw |
1100 |
N/R |
0.5 |
| Toaster |
1100 |
N/R |
N/R |
| Hairdryer |
1200 |
N/R |
N/R |
| Vacuum Cleaner |
1300 |
N/R |
N/R |
| Microwave (100
Watt) |
1500 |
N/R |
N/R |
| |
|
|
|
PRICING OF AGM AND GEL BATTERIES
|
AGM BATTERIES |
|
Model |
Volts |
AH @ 20HR |
Weight (kg) |
Price |
|
HGL 35-12 |
12 |
33 |
11.50 |
£64.95 |
|
HGL 50-12 |
12 |
50 |
17.00 |
£93.95 |
|
HGL 70-12 |
12 |
75 |
25.00 |
£109.95 |
|
HGL 100-12 |
12 |
100 |
34.30 |
£149.95 |
|
HGL 120-12 |
12 |
120 |
35.00 |
£179.95 |
|
HGLN 160-12 |
12 |
160 |
52.00 |
£219.95 |
|
HGL 180-12 |
12 |
180 |
65.50 |
£249.95 |
|
HGL 200-12 |
12 |
200 |
69.30 |
£279.95 |
|
GEL BATTERIES |
|
Model |
Volts |
AH @ 20HR |
Weight (kg) |
Price |
|
HL40-12 |
12 |
40 |
14.50 |
£92.95 |
|
HL 55-12 |
12 |
55 |
17.50 |
£120.95 |
|
HL 70-12 |
12 |
75 |
22.50 |
£149.95 |
|
HL 100-12B |
12 |
100 |
34.20 |
£204.95 |
|
HL 135-12 |
12 |
135 |
47.00 |
£269.95 |
|
HL 200-12 |
12 |
200 |
76.50 |
£349.95 |
CALL US ON: 0208 663 3273
FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND
NO OBLIGATION FREE ADVICE
|