High voltage vs Low voltage batteries
High Voltage vs. Low Voltage Batteries: Making Informed Choices
Are you aware that the type of inverter you choose can impact your monthly electricity expenses? It's true! Certain inverters operate with low-voltage batteries (12, 24, or 48v), while others utilize high-voltage batteries (100v and above). Understanding this distinction is key to optimizing your energy consumption. High-voltage systems run at low electric current, making them safer, more efficient, quieter, and more affordable to maintain in the long term
Efficiency Matters:
Low-voltage batteries operate at approximately 60-75% efficiency, whereas high-voltage batteries boast an impressive 97% efficiency. This means that owners of low-voltage batteries spend 30-70% more on electricity to charge their batteries. An average home with 10kWh of battery storage will require 13-17kWh to recharge a fully depleted low voltage 10kWh battery bank and only 10.3kWh for a high voltage solution. Therefore a typical low voltage solution will require 12-16 550Wp solar panels to recharge their batteries within 2 hours vs 10 x 550Wp solar panels for high voltage systems.
Considerations for Low Voltage Systems:
Standalone low-voltage battery systems include additional requirements such as thicker cables and separate safety fuses to cater to the high electrical current. These fuses, essential for emergencies, require careful handling to prevent DC volt arching.
Safety:
High Voltage Systems are safer than standard Low Voltage Inverters and Batteries. It's not the volts that kill you, it's the amps and a standard high-voltage solution only produces 27 amps compared to 213 amps with low-voltage equipment. Hence high voltage equipment has a much lower risk of delivering a fatal shock.
Modern Solutions for Low Voltage Systems:
Newer low-voltage systems offer integrated solutions, consolidating inverters, battery fuses, PV circuit breakers, cabling, and batteries into a single enclosure. While neater and more compact, it's important to remember that these are still low-voltage systems.
Optimal Solutions for South African Homes:
In South Africa, our experience shows that a 10kW high voltage inverter paired with a 10kWh battery backup adequately serves most single-phase homes during load shedding.
Advantages of High Voltage Systems:
High voltage systems offer lower running costs in the long term, despite higher upfront costs.
Cooling Technology:
Some inverters employ heat sink technology for cooling, while others use fans. Fans, though effective, tend to generate more noise.
Battery Life Cycles:
When selecting batteries, examining the manufacturer's warranty for details on the battery's life cycle is crucial. A reputable battery should offer around 4000-6000 cycles at 90% depth of discharge. Reputable brands count a cycle From 100% to 10% and back up to 100% = 1 Cycle. High Voltage batteries will count 100% down to 55% and back up to 100% as half a cycle (0.5) instead of one full cycle as with most other low voltage equipment offerings.
ACE Solar Energy is committed to providing solutions that prioritize performance and affordability. We believe in transparency and strive to offer the best value without compromising quality.
Battery Pricing Consideration:
Compare the cost per usable kWh between batteries with different depth of discharge capabilities to understand the true value proposition.
At ACE Solar Energy, we prioritize your long-term satisfaction over short-term gains. Trust us to deliver solutions that offer the best performance at the most competitive prices.