Lead Acid Batteries and Saved Money on Solar Panels

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Key points

• Lead acid batteries are among the world’s oldest and most widely used rechargeable batteries.
• They have many advantages, such as low cost, high reliability, easy maintenance, and easy recycling.
• Disadvantages include being bulky and heavy, prone to spillage and corrosion, and limited life cycle.
• Lead acid batteries are mainly used for SLI purposes in automobiles, renewable energy storage, especially solar panels, and industrial and personal electronics, such as emergency lighting, alarm systems, and toys.
• They are available in different types, such as flooded, sealed, VRLA, AGM, and gel, that differ in design, construction, performance, and application.
• Lead acid batteries have a simple chemistry and operation that involve the oxidation and reduction of lead and lead dioxide in an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid and water.
• They can be easily connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or capacity. Various sources, such as the grid, a generator, or a solar panel, can charge them.

How I Learned Everything About Lead Acid Batteries and Saved Money on Solar Panels

Lead acid batteries are among the world’s oldest and most widely used rechargeable batteries. They are commonly found in cars, motorcycles, boats, golf carts, and other vehicles.

But did you know that they are also great for solar energy storage?

In this article, I will share everything I learned about lead acid batteries, how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how I used them to power my solar panel system and save money on electricity bills.

A Brief History of Lead Acid Batteries

The first lead acid battery was invented in 1859 by a French physicist named Gaston Planté. He made it by rolling two lead sheets separated by rubber strips and immersing them in sulfuric acid and water. He discovered the battery could store electrical energy and be recharged by passing a reverse current. It was a revolutionary breakthrough at the time, as it was the first type of rechargeable battery ever created.

Since then, various scientists and engineers have improved and modified lead-acid batteries. They have been used for many applications, such as:

• Lighting
• Telegraphy
• Radio
• Electric vehicles.

Today, lead acid batteries are still widely used for starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) purposes in automobiles and backup power supplies in telecommunication, emergency, and industrial systems. They are also increasingly used for renewable energy storage, especially solar panels.

• They are relatively cheap and easy to manufacture compared to other types of batteries.
• They have a high power-to-weight ratio, which means they can deliver large currents in short bursts.
• They are robust and reliable and can withstand harsh conditions and vibrations.
• They are easy to maintain and recycle and have a long service life if properly cared for.
• They are compatible with many chargers and inverters and can be connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or capacity.

Originally published at https://www.solareco.tech on November 8, 2023.