In this blog, we will explain lithium-ion solar cells, understand their costs, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

What is a lithium ion solar battery?
Lithium solar batteries are a rechargeable energy storage solution that can be paired with a solar energy system to store excess solar power. Lithium ion batteries are commonly used in rechargeable electronics like cellphones and in electric vehicles (EVs).

Most solar storage systems were composed of lead acid battery banks. However, there are now many lithium ion solar batteries on the market, so every homeowner can find the right option for them.

But despite all the hype of this new technology, the industry and analysts alike have forgotten to ask one simple question. Are lithium ion solar batteries the best battery for solar panel systems?

How much does a lithium-ion solar battery cost?
Most homeowners are most concerned about the cost of energy storage systems. The total cost of installing a lithium battery storage system may range from US$7,000 to more than US$30,000.

Prices may vary, depending on:

What manufacturer do you choose
Features of the battery
How much battery do you need
installation fee
The cost of installing lithium-ion batteries is much higher than the cost of installing lead-acid batteries. The installation cost of lead-acid batteries can range from US$5,000 to a maximum of US$15,000-far lower than the installation cost of lithium-ion solar cells.

So why do people continue to choose lithium-ion batteries? The higher price tag brings many additional benefits that lead-acid batteries cannot get, which proves that the cost is higher for some people.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion solar cells?
The introduction of lithium-ion solar cells shocked the solar industry because the technology has many advantages compared with lead-acid batteries.

However, in some cases, lead-acid batteries may be the battery of choice for storing solar energy.

Advantages of lithium-ion solar cells
The advantages of lithium-ion solar cells include:

Higher depth of discharge
long lasting
Higher energy density
high efficiency
Less maintenance

Higher depth of discharge (DoD)
The DoD of a battery is the ratio of the energy stored in the used battery to the total capacity of the battery. Most batteries come with the recommended DoD to keep the battery healthy.

Lithium-ion solar cells are deep-cycle batteries, so their DoD is about 95%. Many lead-acid batteries have a DoD of only 50%. This means you can use more of the energy stored in the lithium-ion battery without having to charge it frequently.

long lasting
Since lithium-ion batteries have a high DoD and do not need to be charged and charged frequently, they have a long service life.

Most lithium-ion solar cells have a minimum warranty life of approximately 10 years, or a cycle life of 10,000 cycles-whichever comes first. On the other hand, the warranty life of lead-acid batteries is only about 5 years.

Higher energy density
The energy density of a battery is how much power the battery can hold relative to the physical size of the battery.

Lithium-ion batteries can store more power without taking up too much space like lead-acid batteries, which is very useful for families with limited space.

high efficiency
Lithium-ion batteries have a higher round-trip efficiency rating than other types of solar cells on the market.

Efficiency refers to the ratio of the available energy you get from the battery to the energy required to store the battery. The efficiency of lithium-ion batteries is between 90% and 95%.
Less maintenance
Don't worry about regular maintenance is one of the advantages you can't pay for.

Lithium-ion solar cells do not require maintenance like flooded lead-acid batteries.

Disadvantages of lithium-ion solar cells
The disadvantages of lithium-ion solar cells include:

High cost
Thermal runaway
High cost
Lithium-ion batteries are often the most expensive battery storage option, especially when compared to lead-acid batteries.

The good news is that solar cell systems are eligible for incentives such as federal tax credits, which help make lithium-ion batteries cheaper. In addition, although lead-acid batteries may be cheaper, they must be replaced more frequently than long-lasting lithium-ion systems.

Thermal runaway
Lithium-ion batteries have a higher risk of thermal runaway, which means they will catch fire. However, the risk of installing lithium-ion solar cells correctly is minimal.
When is the best choice for lithium-ion solar cells?
Lithium-ion solar cells are the best solar storage system for daily residential use because they take up very little space while still storing a lot of energy. In addition, their high DoD means you can use more stored energy.

The battery life is longer, so it does not need to be replaced as often as lead-acid batteries. In addition, their higher efficiency means you can use more energy produced and stored by solar panels-giving you value for money.

However, in some cases, other types of batteries (such as lead-acid batteries) may be more suitable for you. This is especially true if you are only using solar batteries as backup power storage. Since you don’t run out of backup batteries regularly, lower DoD and lifetime are not important, so there is no need to spend extra money for these features.

Lead-acid batteries are also popular in off-grid solar system projects that are not often used-such as holiday cottages. But for daily use, spending more money on lithium-ion solar cells may be your best choice.

Whether it is used for off-grid backup batteries or grid-connected solar systems, energy storage can help you run entirely on clean energy. Contact your local solar installer to find the best solar cell system to pair with your solar panel.