Are you interested in adding a battery to your solar system? A battery unit can help you keep the excess electricity your solar panels generate and use it when you need it most. But how long are the battery cells covered?
Before you decide to invest in solar batteries, you should first learn how long they are covered by warranty and expected to last. So, let’s discuss different types of battery warranties and what they mean.
How Long Do Battery Cells Last?
Most solar batteries you can find on the market can last between five and fifteen years. So, since solar panels have a lifespan of twenty to thirty years, you will almost certainly need to replace your home solar battery unit at least once or twice.
Warranties Explained
Your solar batteries, just like the panels, should come with a warranty. Solar panels typically have two separate warranties — the product and the performance warranty.
On the other hand, batteries get only one warranty. Makers guarantee that the product doesn’t have any defects and will stay on a certain level of performance for a number of years or battery cycles. And for solar battery cells, that warranty lasts ten years on average or 4,000 to 8,000 cycles.
Warranty Years
Warranty terms can vary depending on the company and the type of battery you buy.
For example, lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan than lithium-ion ones. For this reason, they get shorter warranty periods. So, you will notice that lead-acid batteries have warranties under five years. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, get ten years.
Another thing to know about batteries is the more you charge and drain them, the less they last. Similarly, how often you use your solar battery unit will have a big impact on its lifespan. Therefore, a warranty will ensure your battery performs to a certain level (e.g. 70%) of its original ability.
Cycle Life
The process of charging and draining your battery is called a cycle. Some battery makers guarantee a number of cycles your battery will be able to endure. Of course, this will also depend on the type of battery you use. For instance, lithium-ion batteries will withstand more cycles than lead-acid ones.
Throughput
Throughput warranty is the total energy a maker expects the battery to deliver in its lifetime. To talk about this warranty we usually use megawatt-hours. Let’s say you have a throughput warranty of 20 MWh. Such warranty is valid until your battery stores and discharges 20 MWh of energy.
Other Warranties to Keep in Mind
As a part of the solar battery unit, you’ll also need a battery-ready inverter or a battery charge controller. These devices have their own warranty that covers them for about five to ten years. But parts-only warranty upgrades should also be available.
There’s one more type of warranty to keep in mind. The company that installs your solar battery cells should also offer you a warranty for the work they’ve done. So, the maker’s warranty will cover if the device breaks on its own. On the other hand, the installer’s warranty will cover any damage that comes from its workmanship.
Quality installers usually offer a warranty of one to five years.
To Conclude
All in all, before you decide on the type of battery you want to use, take a look at the warranties that come with it. That information might help you learn how long you can expect your battery to last. Still, if you have any doubts regarding your solar panel system or battery units, contact Atlantic Key Energy. We will answer your questions and provide a fast and quality service.
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