Sometimes we were asked by customers why their solar home system works shorter than it should be when it is fully charged? How to make my solar products working longer?
To answer these questions, we should know about the common features of solar home systems. Usually, it is made of solar panel, controller with battery, home appliances like LED bulbs, TV, fan, etc. The features of solar panel and appliances are relatively stable, and the lifespan is longer than the battery. The solar panel has at least 10 years lifespan, LED bulbs with 50000 hrs (about 11.5 years if use 12hrs/day) lifespan. But for the battery, the service life is influenced more by external factors like temperature and humidity user habits.
The features of the battery:
In Solar Run’s products, we use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. It has the advantages of high safety performance, long lifespan, high-temperature performance, no memory effect, environmentally friendly. But it also has the inevitable defects of ordinary batteries.
- Worn out after the lifespan
Under standard conditions, the LiFePO4 battery has 2000times deep charging cycles, more than 5 years lifespan. After 2000times cycles, the battery will be worn out, and remains only 80% capacity or even less. That’s why we charge the battery fully but the working time is shorter than it should be. - Ionic activity
When the product is put aside and does not use for a long time. The movement speed of the ions will slow down or crystal. So we should keep the ionic active by using it frequently. In addition, if often over-discharged, the battery lifespan will also be shortened. - Static power consumption
Sometimes even we do not use the product, we will see the battery level decline. Why? Because the electronic component in the controller consumes power. We call it static power. If the battery level becomes less to a certain degree because of the static power consumption, but still not charged, the battery will be damaged. The battery capacity will decrease or even no use anymore.
Sometimes even we do not use the product, we will see the battery level decline. Why? Because the electronic component in the controller consumes power. We call it static power. If the battery level becomes less to a certain degree because of the static power consumption, but still not charged, the battery will be damaged. The battery capacity will decrease or even no use anymore.
Based on the features of the battery, here are some tips to take care of your solar products:
- Do not use the battery frequently. Even if there is over-discharge protection, it’s better to charge the battery before the battery runs out of power.
- If do not use the system, turn it off. This is to decrease Static power consumption.
- Clean the solar panel regularly. In some places, it is very dusty, it is highly suggested to clean the solar panel at least once a week. If the solar panel is covered by dust, the charging speed will be slow.
- If do not use the system for a long time, keep the product in a cool and dry place. And charge the system at least every 6 months. It’s is for keeping the battery ionic active and avoiding battery depletion. This tip is more for distributors, who have products in stock.
We are Solar Run, the one-stop solar solutions provider. Welcome to email us to discuss more on the solar product and its maintenance.