What to look for in a replacement battery for my solar/inverter system.

Once the battery of a solar/inverter system runs out, it’s basically useless for work and becomes a monument beeping away in the corner. Find out the top 3 factors to consider when replacing your batteries.

So, we were (and still are) discussing “level up” and “the new normal” in my last article. It’s already established that we’re yet to get power supply right in Naija… in fact you can’t not put a generator (aka “gene baby”) in relocation or new home plans no matter the status. Sad reality.

Then the switch to renewable sources of power is no longer a novelty for the mass-adopting Nigerian market… and that’s great. Our willingness to embrace whatever would make life easier and better for us. True Naija spirit. Mini to mega sized solar/inverter systems are popping up in homes at super lightning speed. There’s usually one big issue though.

Because solar energy is relatively novel compared to other power technologies in the continent, most owners of solar systems in Nigeria are first time owners- the early adopters who were sold on it for its novelty and status symbol with little attention to actual functionality and what to do if a fault arises. So we have many abandoned systems almost as much as we have new ones and the most common cause of abandoned systems- Batteries.

Once the battery of a solar/inverter system runs out, it’s basically useless for work and becomes a monument beeping away in the corner. What many system owners don’t know however, is that battery technologies have changed since then and prices dropped too. So the fear of tackling the system again is unfounded. Really.

When looking for replacement batteries for your solar/inverter system, 3 important things to consider are Cycle time, Capacity and of course, Price.

On Cycle times, any battery with less than 1,000 cycles is not worth purchasing as the durability of such isn’t guaranteed. We don’t want you abandoning your system again, do we? Slim type and tubular batteries generally have longer cycle times because of their elongated plates. A few block type batteries also live up to expectation without breaking the bank.

On Capacity, most systems fail to deliver even with solid batteries because of below capacity installations. Knowing your total load capacity and then basic load capacity is important to enjoying the best from your system. And we always recommend starting from basic load then scaling to total capacity. However if budget allows, please indulge with the help of reliable technical expertise.

On Price, this is really a function of what your budget can allow. There’s however the temptation to go for the cheapest option available without considering the above factors. Trust me, you don’t want to experience the hassle of weakened batteries. Always double check.

We’ve curated some batteries that fit the above criteria and suitable for any budget. You can Follow our social pages also for more info on battery discharge cycles and more tips on selecting replacement batteries.

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