[Exclusive Report For EZ Battery Reconditioning Members Only]  

Pros:

• Powerful
• Affordable for most people
• Easily rechargeable
• High potential power output

Cons:

• Low power density means batteries tend to be large bricks
• Quite heavy

The main caveat to lithium-ion batteries is they are more expensive and they can also be fragile and require special circuitry. Thankfully, most of these batteries come with protection circuitry that keeps them operating safely. 

Pros:

• High power output
• Very lightweight
• Large capabilities
• High cell voltage

Cons: 

• Expensive
• More fragile

Lead-acid batteries outshine lithium-ion batteries in this category. Lead-acid battery systems can be hundreds and thousands of dollars cheaper than lithium-ion setups of similar sizes, with the latter generally costing between $5,000 and $15,000, including installation. These values can fluctuate based on the system size that you need. 

Though lead-acid batteries usually have a lower cost in comparison to their lithium-ion counterparts, their lifespan is typically a bit shorter than lithium-ion batteries (although regular maintenance and reconditioning on lead-acid batteries can dramatically improve their lifespan).

Just like the efficiency of a solar panel, battery efficiency is an important measurement to take into consideration when comparing options. Most lithium-ion batteries boast 95% efficiency or higher (meaning that 95% or more of the stored energy can be used effectively). 

On the other hand, lead-acid batteries have efficiencies of around 80% to 85%. 

Batteries with higher efficiencies charge quicker, and like the depth of discharge which we talk about next, higher efficiency results in a greater effective battery capacity. 

The depth of discharge of a battery is the percentage of a battery’s energy capacity that can safely be discharged while not causing any damage. For instance, if you have a battery that holds 13.5kWh of electricity, and you discharge 13kWh, the Depth of Discharge will be about 96%. DoD is an alternative method used to indicate a battery’s state of charge, and is a complement of the state of charge - as one increases, the other decreases. 

Though it is common to use 85% or more of the total capacity of a lithium-ion battery in one cycle, lead-acid batteries should not be discharged further than about 50%. Doing so can negatively affect the battery’s lifespan. 

Lithium-ion’s superior depth of discharge means that they boast an even greater effective capacity than lead-acid batteries, especially once you consider the greater energy density that lithium-ion batteries have. 

Batteries deteriorate throughout their lifespan and become less effective with age. Regular battery maintenance and reconditioning can greatly improve the lifespan of a battery but no battery lasts forever. 

Using a battery to power your appliances or home, then charging it again, is considered a single ‘cycle’. The average estimated lifespan for a lithium-ion battery is around 300 to 500 cycles, which equates to around two or three years. Deep-cycle lead-acid batteries have lifespans of more than 1,000 cycles, even at Depth of Discharge over 50% (*however, battery reconditioning can increase the lifespan of both batteries).

For many stationary installations, weight is generally not an issue, but if space is limited, remember that lead-acid battery banks are very heavy and need special racking systems for small areas. This means that they are not the best option for limited-space situations (like in an electric car), as they are quite large and require adequate ventilation to allow trace gases to escape while charging. 

As we mentioned previously, lithium-ion batteries have a greater energy density, meaning they require far less space. They also do not emit volatile gases while charging and thus do not require the same level of ventilation as their lead-acid counterparts. You can store them in most non-habitable rooms with no problems. 

Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries will incur similar maintenance costs over the course of their lifespan, but when it comes to upfront costs, lithium-ion batteries are a much more expensive. 

So, if cost is your main concern, lead-acid batteries are typically the best option.

Lead-acid batteries are also a great option if you have plenty of space for a for a battery bank (like at your vacation home or off-grid cabin).

However, lithium-ion batteries may be the better choice if cost is not as much a concern and you want the “best” battery (and are willing to pay for it). Lithium-ion batteries are also the best option if you don’t want your battery bank to take up a lot of space or if you want to really run your batteries hard and constantly fully drain them and recharge them (*this is why lithium batteries are typically used in electronics and electric cars).

Lithium-ion batteries can be summed up by saying they last longer than many other types of batteries, can withstand being put through deeper cycles without being damaged, and require much less space compared to other batteries (like lead-acid batteries). However, you pay a lot extra for these benefits and you may not need them.

One other thing to note about lithium-ion batteries is while the initial cost is significantly more than lead-acid batteries, the cost difference closes a bit over the lifespan of the battery because lithium-ion battery’s added efficiency means you can potentially spend less per kWh of capacity over the battery’s lifespan. But with that being said, when everything is said and done, lithium-ion batteries still end up costing more after their full life cycle (compared to lead-acid batteries).

We hope you found this guide very helpful when choosing between Lead-Acid Batteries VS Lithium-Ion Batteries in your solar panel/off-grid system. Good luck building your system’s battery bank!

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