Solar batteries: the key to a solar-powered future

by Stef Calimlim (Content Editor)

Image source: Getty

Installing solar batteries to an existing solar power system provides a wealth of benefits such as reduced carbon footprint and electricity bills, greater energy efficiency and continuous energy flow even during a power outage. These batteries provide a reliable source of back-up power since they store the excess energy harvested by solar panels.

Solar batteries are typically classified into three segments – lithium ion, lead-acid and flow. The Li-ion category holds the highest revenue while the lead-acid segment is the fastest growing. Li-ion batteries are known for their fast-charging capability, high power density and efficiency and lightweight design. Lead-acid units, on the other hand, are low-cost and have a longer life span compared to Li-ion variants. Liquid flow batteries are considered the longest-lasting yet the most expensive among the three.

Valued at $148 million in 2021, the global solar battery market is forecast to reach $540 million by 2030, registering a 15.5 percent CAGR. According to Straits Research, the growth is attributable to the continued efforts by governments in promoting the use of photovoltaic technology and the increasing demand for sustainable energy resources. This growth is not without challenges. Expensive product and maintenance costs, as well as life span limitations, remain common constraints. However, the sector is poised to continue innovating and producing more powerful and efficient batteries as adoption of renewable energy solutions becomes more commonplace.

In terms of end-users, the industrial segment has the largest market share, with an estimated value of $250 million by 2030, followed by the commercial segment with $195 million and the residential segment with $115 million. The market is currently dominated by the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for over 40 percent of revenue. China remains the largest producer of solar power and is anticipated to bolster further growth. Meanwhile, Europe and North America are also expected to contribute significantly to the market.

The products in the gallery below have been selected by our market analyst for representing trends in solar batteries.

Lead-carbon

Company: Tianneng Battery Group Co. Ltd

The TNC12-170P solar battery from Tianneng Battery adopts advanced lead-carbon technology, and uses a patented rare-earth alloy and hydrophobic separator. It has an extended life span of ≥3,600, ≥4,500 or ≥2,500 cycles at 60 percent DoD.

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AGM

Company: Tianneng Battery Group Co. Ltd

Used for solar panel modules, this AGM battery from Tianneng Battery, the TN Series 04 VRLA, has a long life cycle, low self-discharge rate and high reliability. It meets UL, CE, TLC, IEC 60896-21&22 and Directive 2008/12/EC requirements.

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24 to 120Ah capacity

Company: Ryan (Zhuhai) Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd

The LC-BAT-60AH-1 from Ryan (Zhuhai) is an IP65-rated LiFePO4 battery pack with 12.8 or 25.6V nominal voltage and 24 to 120Ah capacity. It has built-in BMS to protect from overcharging, -discharging, -current and -heating and is designed for use in solar energy storage systems, solar road lights, and electric motorcycles and other automotive applications.

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AGM VRLA

Company: Guangdong Xindun Power Technology Co. Ltd

Guangdong Xindun’s Battery-S5 has 12V voltage and 40, 50, 55, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 200, 230 or 250Ah current. It uses seven, eight, nine, 11, 13, 15, 19, 23, 25, 29 or 31 plates.

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48V, 100Ah

Company: Dongguan Junlee Energy Technology Co. Ltd

With built-in BMS, the wall-mount JL48V 100Ah-1-1477 LiFePO4 battery pack from Dongguan Junlee has 48V nominal voltage, 100Ah nominal capacity at 25 C, 4,800Wh energy and more than 3,000-cycle life span at 0.5C, 80 percent DoD. It is compatible with RS-485, RS-232 and CAN interfaces. Dimensions are 680x400x180mm.

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Li-ion

Company: Zhuhai Gushine Electronic Technology Co. Ltd

For solar storage systems, inverters and portable base stations, this Li-ion battery pack from Zhuhai Gushine has 3.6 to 67.2V nominal voltage, 0.2 to 1C charge and discharge rate, 1 to 200A maximum charge current, ≥500-cycle life span, and 0 to 45 C charge and -40 to 60 C discharge temperatures. It meets CE, UL, RoHS, CB, FCC, PSE and UN 38.3 standards.

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