The South African government is doing all it can to promote renewable energy and combat climate change. One of the many measures put in place by this government is the provision of subsidies for solar installations and batteries.
If you currently have a solar system and batteries in your home, you aren’t only reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity. In addition, you’re making a long-term investment. Yes, the best lithium-ion solar battery can last up to 10 or 15 years. While this is true, you also need to remember that these batteries also have issues, which could require you to replace them with new ones.
Here’s a burning question: What are the warning signs to know it’s time to replace your solar battery?
- Decreased energy storage capacity
Storage capacity is one of the most important factors when buying a solar battery. Even if you buy a battery with great capacity, you can still experience a decrease in the battery’s ability to store energy.
Well, many factors can contribute to why your lithium-ion solar battery can’t store up as much energy as it used to in the past:
- First, this problem may surface if the battery’s lifespan is near. As you continue using the battery over time, its materials will naturally degrade, reducing storage capacity.
- Other common causes of this issue are low depth of discharge, overcharging, undercharging, cycle ageing, high temperature, and chemical degradation.
Bottom line – a decrease in your solar battery’s ability to store energy well is a warning sign that it’s time to get a new battery.
- Frequent maintenance/repair
Does your battery require more frequent maintenance and repair than usual? If yes, this could also be a warning sign that buying a new replacement solar battery is time. Solar.co.za experts can help you access your battery and advise you on what to do.
- Decreased performance
Decreased performance is another warning sign that your lithium solar battery must likely be replaced. If your battery fails to deliver the same level of power as it used to do before, it may be that the battery is close to its lifespan. Other common causes of this issue are overcharging, undercharging, frequent charge and discharge cycles, and inadequate maintenance.
- Overheating
Does your lithium-ion solar battery overheat when in use? If yes, you need to remember that overheating may mean malfunction. Some common causes of this severe issue (overheating) are:
- High ambient temperature
- Lack of proper ventilation
- High rate of charging
- High rate of discharge
- Overuse
- Problems with the battery management system (BMS)
The bottom line is that a continuous overheating of your solar battery could be a warning sign that you need to replace the battery.
- Cycle count reached
Like other solar batteries, lithium-ion products also have their charge/discharge cycle count (usually 500 times). Once this cycle count is reached, the battery will start experiencing different issues, including low efficiency, increased internal resistance, shortened lifespan, and safety-related problems. All these issues are indeed warning signs you need to replace your lithium-ion solar battery immediately.
- Lack of consistent charging
Is your solar battery currently not reaching its full charge? If yes, you should understand that this could result from one or more issues with the battery management system. This could be a warning sign you need to replace your battery, depending on the exact nature of the issue and safety concerns. If it has much to do with your safety, we advise you to speak with experts at Solar.co.za better to understand the appropriate response to the inconsistent charging issue.
