Everything You Should Know About Solar Battery Maintenance
Solar batteries, like solar panels, are incredibly low maintenance. Most solar batteries require very little—if any—maintenance over the course of their lifespan. But even though you probably won’t need to schedule annual solar battery maintenance as you do for your air conditioner, there are still things you can do to protect your battery and prolong its lifespan.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about solar battery care, maintenance, and safety so you can get the most out of your battery backup system.
Most Solar Batteries Don’t Need Maintenance (But Some Do)
Most solar batteries don’t require maintenance, but there are several types of solar battery systems, and some need more upkeep than others.
Lithium-ion batteries—the most common type of solar battery—require little to no maintenance.
Lead acid batteries, on the other hand, require regular inspections to make sure they have enough water and rust isn’t forming at the terminal connections. You can do this yourself by simply checking the battery every few months and calling a solar maintenance company if you notice any signs of rust. We add a battery watering kit to every lead acid battery to make topping the water to the perfect level and easy, 5-minute job.
Flow batteries also require regular maintenance. Flow batteries need a substance called electrolyte to work, and the tank needs to be checked occasionally to make sure the electrolyte level is sufficient.
Solar Batteries Will Degrade Over Time
If your solar battery is draining fast and you’ve had it for a long time, it’s likely due to normal degradation. Think about your phone’s battery life—the older it gets, the faster it loses its charge. The same is true for solar batteries.
How many years a solar battery lasts before it starts to degrade depends on the type of battery you install. To give you an idea of what to expect, most solar battery manufacturers warranty their batteries based on degradation, such as guaranteeing 80% performance after 10 years.
How to Prolong the Life of a Solar Battery
There are some tips for maintaining a solar battery that you can follow to protect your battery and prolong its lifespan.
Learn the Ideal Depth of Discharge
Depth of discharge measures how much of your battery’s charge you use before you recharge it. For example, if you use up all your battery’s energy, that’s a 100% depth of discharge. Different types of solar batteries are designed to operate at different depths of discharge and will degrade faster if you don’t adhere. It’s important to talk to your solar battery installer about the best depth of discharge for your battery.
Store Your Battery Correctly
Temperature can have an impact on your solar battery’s performance, so it’s important to make sure it’s installed in the right place where it can be protected from extreme temperatures. An experienced solar company will recommend the best location based on the type of battery you install.
Monitor Your Battery’s Health
Many solar battery systems come with monitoring apps that can be used to check up on the amount of energy stored in your battery and will also notify you if a problem arises.
SouthFace Solar & Electric Is Here When You Need Maintenance
Anytime you need solar maintenance, you can call SouthFace Solar & Electric. We are a local solar company that has been in business for years, and we can provide ongoing service for the entire lifespan of your solar energy system. Whether you have a question about your solar battery or you’ve noticed a drop in production, you can always give us a call and we will troubleshoot the problem for you.
