How Long Do Solar Batteries Last?
Solar batteries are an excellent addition to your solar panel system that will help you get more out of your investment in solar. Batteries are not cheap, so it’s important to understand how long a solar battery will last and when you’ll have to replace it.
Most solar batteries will last for around 10-15 years. That’s about half the expected lifespan of rooftop solar panels, which means you will probably have to replace your battery before you need new solar panels.
There are a lot of factors that impact solar battery lifespan. Keep reading to learn more about how long solar panel batteries last.
Average Solar Battery Lifespan & Warranty
As we mentioned earlier, the average lifespan of a solar battery is about 10-15 years. Most solar batteries come with a 10-year warranty, so you can expect to get at least a full decade of life out of your solar battery storage system before you have to replace it. It’s also unlikely that your battery will simply stop working once it hits the 10 or 15-year mark. Instead, its storage capacity (the amount of electricity it can hold) will slowly drop, therefore, you’ll still be able to use your battery, but it will store less and less electricity over time.
Factors that Impact Solar Battery Lifespan
The 10-15-year lifespan of a solar battery is just an estimate. Many factors can impact how long a solar battery lasts and could increase or decrease your battery’s lifespan.
Type of Battery
There are a few different types of solar batteries and some last longer than others. Lithium-ion solar batteries are the most commonly used in residential solar panel systems and they’re also one of the longest-lasting types of batteries, falling into the 10-15 year lifespan. Lead-acid solar batteries, another popular option, have a much lower life expectancy of just 4-8 years.
Battery Cycles
Solar battery lifespan is better measured in cycles than years. When your battery fully drains itself and then fully recharges, it’s referred to as a cycle. If you cycle your battery a lot—let’s say you fully drain it every single day—it won’t last as long as it would if you didn’t fully drain it every day. We take this factor into account when sizing solar batteries so you won’t have to fully drain your battery every single day to get the backup power you need.
By learning how to manage your solar battery properly, you can extend its lifespan and get as much use out of it as possible.
Weather
Weather conditions, especially harsh temperatures, can impact your solar battery’s lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries can withstand hotter and colder temperatures than lead-acid batteries, which is part of what makes them a longer-lasting battery overall.
To protect your battery and help extend its lifespan, it’s best to install it in a protected area like a garage rather than mounting it outside.
Solar Battery Maintenance
Solar batteries—like solar panels—are incredibly low maintenance. Unlike mechanical equipment, such as your furnace or air conditioner, they don’t have any moving parts, so they’re less prone to wear and tear. If you install your battery in a cool, dry place like a garage and follow all manufacturer guidelines, you shouldn’t have to worry about conducting regular maintenance.
Install Solar Battery Backup for Your Home
Want to find out whether solar battery storage is worth it for your home? Schedule a free assessment with Sustainergy Cooperative! We’re a local, worker-owned solar company that installs high-quality solar energy systems for homeowners in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana. Our technicians are committed to quality and will stop at nothing to provide you with the best service possible because, as worker-owners, your success is their success!
