07-11-2016, 06:27 AM
Current technologies:
- Lithium-ion ("Tesla"): no maintenance, fewer charge/discharge cycles, currently expensive, nothing is really "packaged" for off-grid applications. Suitable charger/inverters are supposed to be available for Tesla Powerwall (these run at 350-550VDC). High density.
- Nickel-Iron ("Edison"): electrolyte can be replaced every few years, 20-year lifetime, Outback controllers can use these batteries with custom settings. Low-density. Can safely be discharged to 90% of capacity without damage. https://ironedison.com/
- Sodium-Ion ("saltwater"): non-toxic, very low density (~180KWh/pallet), projected to have price parity with lead-acid but last twice as long. http://aquionenergy.com/
- AGM: no maintenance, density similar to wet lead-acid, works with standard controllers/inverters.
- Lead-acid ("wet"): maintenance cycle, suffers damage when discharged beyond 50% (best to keep within 10-20% of capacity). Lifetime of 3-7 years (possibly more) depending on maintenance and charge cycle.
Bottom line: wet batteries are currently cheapest for $/W, work with all standard charge controllers/inverters, and are available from multiple suppliers on-island, usually with 0 lead-time. If you're DIY, you're probably using lead-acid batteries.
Everything else is special-order through an integrator, wait while it's shipped, pay them to install it.
- Lithium-ion ("Tesla"): no maintenance, fewer charge/discharge cycles, currently expensive, nothing is really "packaged" for off-grid applications. Suitable charger/inverters are supposed to be available for Tesla Powerwall (these run at 350-550VDC). High density.
- Nickel-Iron ("Edison"): electrolyte can be replaced every few years, 20-year lifetime, Outback controllers can use these batteries with custom settings. Low-density. Can safely be discharged to 90% of capacity without damage. https://ironedison.com/
- Sodium-Ion ("saltwater"): non-toxic, very low density (~180KWh/pallet), projected to have price parity with lead-acid but last twice as long. http://aquionenergy.com/
- AGM: no maintenance, density similar to wet lead-acid, works with standard controllers/inverters.
- Lead-acid ("wet"): maintenance cycle, suffers damage when discharged beyond 50% (best to keep within 10-20% of capacity). Lifetime of 3-7 years (possibly more) depending on maintenance and charge cycle.
Bottom line: wet batteries are currently cheapest for $/W, work with all standard charge controllers/inverters, and are available from multiple suppliers on-island, usually with 0 lead-time. If you're DIY, you're probably using lead-acid batteries.
Everything else is special-order through an integrator, wait while it's shipped, pay them to install it.