L R AS Published on Sunday 24 September 2023 - n° 458 - Categories:lithium batteries
How long do solar home batteries last?
Residential energy storage has become an increasingly popular feature of domestic solar power.
In addition to providing back-up power in the event of a power failure, many batteries
are integrated with technology that enables intelligent planning of energy import and export. The aim is to maximise the value of the home's solar system.
Battery attachment rates in residential solar projects have been steadily increasing: in 2020, 8.1% of residential solar systems were connected to batteries, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and by 2022 this had risen to over 17%.
Typical warranty periods are 10 years. The warranty on the Enphase IQ battery, for example, ends at 10 years or 7,300 cycles, whichever comes first. Sunrun estimates that batteries can last between five and 15 years (replacement will be necessary during the lifetime of the panels).
The life of the battery depends mainly on the cycles of use. Two usage scenarios are responsible for this degradation: overcharging and trickle charging. Maintenance charging involves a process in which the battery is continuously charged up to 100%, which inevitably leads to losses. The rebound between 100% and just under 100% can raise the internal temperature, reducing capacity and life. This is because the electrolyte between the electrodes breaks down at high temperatures, causing the battery to lose its Li-ion shuttle capacity.
Repeated deep discharges of batteries should be avoided, as the more they are discharged, the shorter their lifespan.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/09/18/how-long-do-residential-solar-batteries-last/
PV Magazine of 18 September 2023
