Batteries
Do I need batteries
for my home PV system?
"The
battery bank in a home power system serves two purposes. It acts
as a voltage stabilizer for the system, moderating the high voltages
that can occur during battery charging and minimizing the low voltages
common in high demand situations. It also acts as a power
reservoir, supplying the power needed when the load demand exceeds the
capabilities of the power (charging) source."
(www.solaralaska.com) There are allot of different batteries that
can be used in a home PV system. However the type of batterys you
choose should be done with very careful thought. Some batteries can
handle a much higher load than other batteries but the cost is usually
significantly greater. Most people may not realize the the
temperature at which you store your batteries can make a huge
difference in your batteries efficiency. A battery will perform
at 100% of its capacity when the sou rounding temperatures are between
60-80 degrees fahrenheit. When the temperature drops so does the
performance and the efficiency of your batteries. On the up side
the colder temperatures tend to increase the longevity of your
batteries. Batteries also need to be maintained and checked on a
regular basis. Poor maintenance can degrade batteries at a very
fast pace, and may require the batteries to get replaced more
frequently usually at a considerable expense. Another think you
should know about batteries is how to hook them up. There are several
ways to hook batteries together they are : in series, in parallel and
in both series and parallel. Depending on how you hook your
batteries together you can increase the voltage, the amperage or
both. Since the batteries are a major part of the PV system and
it is extremely important to get the proper size and type of batteries
you should talk with a knowledgeable rep about your power needs and
power loads when purchasing your batteries.
Here is a list to a battery appliance operating calculator
www.xantrex.com/support/howlong.asp
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