When it comes to efficiency and reliability, nothing can beat lithium-ion batteries. However, for off-grid storage systems, the lead-acid battery may be a better choice for a number of reasons. Basically, both types of storage units can store energy effectively, but both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below are some points of comparison between the two. Keep reading to know more.
cost
Cost is one of the main factors that draw a line between the two. If you get two batteries of the same capacity, the lithium-ion battery will cost you three times as much. Depending on the size of the system you want to install, this can add significantly to your expense.
Although lead-acid batteries have relatively lower price tags, they may not last as long as their counterparts.
Ability
The capacity of a battery pack refers to the amount of energy it can store. The good thing about these batteries is that they have a higher energy density than their counterparts. Therefore, these units can store more energy without taking up additional space. Therefore, you can install more of these units in less space.
discharge depth
The depth of discharge of a battery is the percentage of the energy that can be drained without causing any damage to the unit. The disadvantage of lead-acid batteries is that they cannot be depleted by more than 50%. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries can be safely discharged down to 85% of their capacity.
Efficiency
Another good point of comparison is the efficiency of these units. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer 95% more efficiency. In other words, 95% of the energy stored in these units can be used. On the other hand, the other type of battery offers only 85% efficiency.
Life expectancy
Like solar panels, batteries continue to degrade over time. As a result, they lose their efficiency. After recharging a battery, when it discharges completely, it is considered a discharge cycle. In terms of the number of discharge cycles, lead-acid batteries cannot beat lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, the latter offers a much longer service life.
Should you install a lead-acid battery or a lithium-ion battery?
If you need to install a backup system, you can opt for a lithium-ion battery or a lead-acid battery. However, since the former offers so many advantages, you may not want to opt for lead-acid battery packs. Although lithium-ion units are higher in cost, they offer a great return on investment for many reasons explained above.
However, if you don’t want to use your battery packs very often, lead-acid batteries may be your ideal choice.
It was a brief comparison between lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries. Hopefully, this comparison will make it easier for you to make the right decision. So if you can afford it, you can spend more money and install lithium-ion battery systems.