Although solar panels are a good choice for supplying energy to your tiny home, especially if it's built to be mobile, one of the major challenges associated with this option is ensuring you have access to said energy when the sun goes down. Currently, the best way to do this is to purchase rechargeable batteries to store and provide electricity when needed. Before you start surfing the web to look for the best deal, here are two things you should know to help you choose the right options for you.
The Best Type Depends on Your Circumstances
There are two major types of solar panel batteries, each with pros and cons that make them appropriate for different situations. One common type is the lead-acid battery. These, by far, are the cheapest of the bunch and are the easiest to purchase. In fact, you can even buy used forklift batteries and use them for your solar panel energy storage needs.
These batteries tend to require the least amount of maintenance. However, they don't do as well in cold temperatures, meaning it may take longer for them to charge and the battery may drain faster. So if you live in cold climes or plan to travel through cold areas, you may need to adjust your energy consumption accordingly. Additionally, lead-acid batteries are toxic to the environment and must be disposed of carefully.
The other common type of battery is lithium-ion. These are the batteries that power cell phones and laptops. These batteries are much more expensive then lead-acid ones, costing up to $400 per kWh vs. $150 for lead-acid batteries. However, they tend to also last a lot longer than lead-acid batteries (300 cycles for lead batteries vs. 1,000 cycles for lithium-ion). The problem with lithium-ion batteries, though, is they lose their charge over time. They're not able to charge as quickly and the charge dissipates faster the older the battery gets.
Batteries Are Heavy
The other important thing to know about batteries is they are heavy. A single lead-acid battery can weigh up to 40 kg, which may not seem like much at first. However, you will typically need to purchase several of them to store all the energy you require to power your home overnight. Lithium-ion batteries tend to be lighter but can still pack a lot of additional weight onto your tiny home if you need to install a lot of them.
This is important for people who are building mobile tiny homes. You need to account for the additional weight when purchasing a towing vehicle. Even if you are building your tiny home so that it's drivable, most states have laws that limit how much a vehicle driven on public roads can weigh.
For more information about purchasing the right batteries for your solar energy system, contact a residential energy storage system representative in your area such as iDemand Energy Storage.
Share7 February 2017
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