Solar batteries have a capability of storing excess energy collected from the sun. This stored energy can be used for different purposes in our residence or industry. When the sun is hot, a solar battery can take in between 5-10 hours to charge fully. But how long does a fully charged battery last?
Various factors will determine how long your battery’s charge will last. Some of this factors include the amount of power your home uses on average and available of solar battery maintenance. We will look into this factors later in this article. Let’s dive in!
How long does a fully charged solar battery last?
Most manufacturers indicate that their batteries can last for up 12 hours powering your home when the solar battery is fully charged. However, this varies with different users.
- If you have many appliances using one single solar battery, there is a likelihood your solar battery will not last for those 12hours.
- Again, the type of battery will also determine how long the battery will last. For example, expect batteries with a large power holding capacity to last longer.
- Lithium-ion batteries also have a capability to last longer than other types of solar batteries.
- Presence of solar battery controllers will also improve how long your solar battery will last.
These are just a few instances where the time a solar battery can last. You can check on other factors that affect how long your solar battery will last.
How long do solar batteries hold a charge?
Different solar batteries have different power holding capacity. The type of materials used to make the solar battery is one of the factors that affect how long a solar battery can hold a charge other factors include;
- Power usage: If you are using a single solar battery to power large appliances like refrigerators, then the battery will be drained fast.
- Presence of solar battery controllers: Devices like solar batteries maintainers will hold some amount of charge in a battery even when the battery is not in use or charging.
- Size of the battery: Batteries with a large power holding capacity will hold power for long compared to small batteries.
Another factor is how long a solar battery has lasted. Once you have started using a solar battery, it will start to deteriorate. This means the holding capacity will start reducing after every discharge and recharge cycle. So a new battery will hold charge longer than an old solar battery.
How many hours will solar battery last?
Depending on the amount of charge available in the battery and the condition of the battery, a solar battery can last for 13-18 hours without draining. Once the charge is used to light up our residence, the solar panel will charge the solar battery again to be used later when there is no sunlight energy.
You can improve the lifespan of your solar battery by installing solar battery controllers. A solar trickle charger ensures that there is some amount of energy reaching the solar battery even on a cloudy day.
Cleaning and properly positioning of your solar panel also improve the charging process of your solar battery. When a solar battery charges properly, it will last longer.
How long can a solar battery power a house?
How long a solar battery remains efficient depends on the care you provide to your solar battery. On most occasions, most manufacturers will report a 5-25 years of uninterrupted solar battery life.
Solar batteries have thousands of charging cycle. Meaning, your solar battery can discharge and recharge without it becoming defective for all those years.
To ensure the solar batteries complete their lifespan, regularly check if the components are working as expected. You should also install batteries controllers and inverters.
High quality solar batteries will also last longer than these cheap low quality solar batteries.
What happens when solar batteries are full?
Once the solar battery is fully charged, the flow can be stopped by using auxiliary switches or devices like battery tenders. The excess energy collected by the solar panel goes to waste.
You can however use the power for other functions like heating, charging appliances or charging other solar batteries.
If there is no devices to stop the flow of current to the solar battery, your solar battery can start to overheat.
Conclusion
Although manufacturers have their own data on how long your solar battery can last when fully charged, how you handle your solar battery will determine how long it last.
Regularly cleaning your solar panel ensures that maximum sunlight energy is harvested and used charge the solar battery.
Installing a solar trickle charger will ensure the battery can chare even when the sunlight energy is insufficient.
You should also measure the amount of power your home uses so that you can buy a solar battery t can fulfil your need. Avoid buying cheap solar batteries as they get defective very fast.
Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.
