In recent times, the prevalence of loadshedding in South Africa has prompted a surge in demand for alternative power solutions, particularly batteries for home use and storage. With an array of options available, ranging from affordable legacy batteries to modern high-performance alternatives, homeowners face a complex decision-making process.
Navigating Battery Types and Usage
To make informed choices, it’s crucial to understand the unique characteristics and applications of different battery types. Matthew Hall, Product Director at Rectron South Africa, provides valuable insights into selecting the right battery for your specific needs.
Charging and Discharging Considerations
While some batteries offer lower upfront costs, they may not possess the durability and longevity required for regular home use over extended periods. For frequent power outages and limited charging opportunities, traditional lead-acid (LA) batteries serve as a suitable UPS (uninterruptible power supply) during stages 4 or lower of loadshedding. However, for stages 4 and beyond, when grid uptimes are shorter, lithium-ion (Li) batteries provide superior usability, resilience, and a more favorable return on investment.
Lead-Acid’s Enduring Appeal
Lead-acid batteries maintain their appeal due to their affordability, provided they are properly housed in a dry, ventilated space and used with care. They excel as an interim UPS solution in critical service environments, such as data centers, hospitals, and banks. In these settings, the battery is only discharged for short periods as systems switch to backup sources like diesel generators.
Depth of Discharge: Understanding Usable Capacity
A critical factor often overlooked when choosing a battery is the depth of discharge (DoD) rating, also known as usable capacity. This percentage value indicates how much of a fully charged battery can be used before significantly impacting its lifespan. When the DoD limit is reached, the battery must be fully charged again. This process varies significantly depending on the battery type.
Lead-Acid Limitations
Lead-acid (LA) batteries, while more affordable than lithium-ion (Li) batteries, typically have a lower DoD of around 30-50%. When LA batteries are discharged below 30%, they can last up to 5 years and endure up to 1200 charging cycles before becoming unusable. However, when discharged between 30-50%, the cycle count drops to around 500 cycles. And when fully discharged (100%), the cycle count plummets to under 200.
This means that at Stage 6 or beyond of loadshedding, when batteries are used multiple times a day with shorter charging and longer discharge periods, LA batteries may not last beyond three months from purchase. This is because consumers unknowingly discharge them beyond their 30-50% DoD range on a regular basis.
Additionally, LA batteries charge much slower than Li batteries, with the shortest charging time being six hours. This is due to the chemicals inside LA batteries being less tolerant to heat.
Lithium-Ion: A Long-Term Investment
Homeowners seeking a long-term energy storage solution are increasingly turning to Li-ion batteries despite their higher initial cost. By taking advantage of various payment options and incorporating these robust, longer-cycle batteries into a comprehensive solar system, the higher upfront cost can be offset by savings in as little as 12 months.
Empowering Your Home with Informed Choices
Understanding the nuances of battery types, usage patterns, and depth of discharge ratings is essential for making informed decisions when selecting a battery for your home. By considering your specific needs and budget, you can empower your home with a reliable and cost-effective energy storage solution, ensuring uninterrupted power even during loadshedding.
Image by Erik Tanghe from Pixabay
