Choosing a Battery

Getting Started

When choosing a battery for a solar system, there are several factors to consider:

  • Capacity
  • Depth of discharge
  • Cycle life
  • Voltage and temperature range
  • Safety and certification

1 – Capacity

The capacity of a battery determines how much energy it can store. You will need to choose a battery with enough capacity to store the energy your solar panels produce during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight.

2 – Depth of discharge

This refers to the percentage of the battery's capacity that can be safely used before it needs to be recharged. A battery with a higher depth of discharge can be used more frequently before needing to be recharged.

3 – Cycle life

The cycle life of a battery refers to how many times it can be fully charged and discharged before its capacity is significantly reduced. A battery with a longer cycle life will last longer. Lithium batteries have longer cycles and are considered to be more affordable on the long run. At Energy of Africa we do not recommend gel batteries as they have a shorter cycle.

4 – Voltage and Temperature range

The voltage of a battery should match the voltage of the solar panels and inverter in your system.

Some batteries are more sensitive to temperature than others. Make sure to choose a battery that can operate in the temperature range of your location.

5 – Safety & certifications

Look for batteries that have safety certifications and safety features to prevent overcharging, overheating and short-circuiting.

The finale: last tidbits on choosing a battery

You should consult with our professional system designers to make sure that the battery you choose is compatible with your solar system and meets your specific energy needs.