Skip to main content

Battery Selection for Alternative Energy Electricity Generation

Designing a residential wind or solar power system requires many engineering considerations. One of the biggest decisions is whether to design a grid-tied (GT) or off-the-grid (OTG) system. This decision is a prime motivator in design of the battery storage system. A professional can design and install an appropriate system for each unique situation.

A typical GT system feeds excess electricity back into the power grid, running the consumer’s meter backwards. If the grid is available, it is also used to supply power to the home if necessary. OTG systems rely totally on themselves and backup generators to supply electricity needs. Either system may use batteries to store energy, but going OTG requires battery storage.

 

Sizing the Battery Bank

There are several technical issues to be considered when sizing components for an alternative energy system. Within each of these areas, the desired balance of product quality and cost must be balanced for the battery bank.

  • a quality battery bank setupThe first step for designing any GT or OTG system is to determine the required power. Online worksheets and professional consultation are available options.
  • The capacity of the battery bank depends on how many hours or days of power need to be stored for later usage.
  • Several different types of batteries are available: deep-cycle lead-acid batteries are common because of low initial cost but require periodic maintenance; sealed deep-cycle lead-acid batteries cost more but are virtually maintenance free; sealed gel-cell batteries are also maintenance free but require close monitoring of charge state.
  • Temperature has a major effect on battery efficiency. Most batteries operate best around 75 degrees F. At 40 degrees, lead-acid batteries efficiency drops to 75 percent. High temperatures can substantially reduce the life of batteries.
  • Controlling discharge to only 50 percent can significantly improve battery life.
  • Appropriate inverter and controller selection will protect and increase the life of batteries. There are several combination inverter/controller systems available. Generally, price increases as the rated size of the system increases.

 

build your battery bank properlyAre Batteries Essential for Residential Systems?

The short answer, for GT systems, is no. For OTG systems, a bank with several days capacity is often used in conjunction with a generator to charge batteries when necessary. However, like the system itself, the need for batteries should be determined separately for each case.

In a GT system a smaller battery bank may be desirable. Residential electricity usage generally peaks in the early morning and in the evening when people are home from work and using more appliances and lighting. To supply electricity during these times, when sunlight is scarce, a solar system would probably integrate some battery storage.

 

The cost of a battery bank is generally substantial. Thus, the rate paid by utility providers for excess electricity should be considered. If a consumer electrical meter is run backwards enough during sunny/windy (peak) times, it could offset electricity used by a GT system during off-peak times.

There are many considerations that affect the appropriate design of residential wind or solar power components. The best way to get peak performance from an individual system is to enlist professional help. With some guidance, green energy options for home owners can provide affordable options to electricity generated with fossil fuels.

The post Battery Selection for Alternative Energy Electricity Generation appeared first on Downtown Homestead.



from Downtown Homestead http://downtownhomestead.com/battery-selection-alternative-energy-electricity-generation/
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Winter Shrubs: Perfuming Your Garden: Slideshow

Although sweet floral fragrances are usually associated with spring and summer flowering plants, there are a goodly number of shrubs, bulbs and bedding plants that   perfume   the air all through winter.   Fragrant Winter Plants Fragrant Winter Shrubs Best known of all winter fragrant shrubs is probably Daphne Odora – the flowers may be pink or white – the foliage dark green or green with a silver edge. It should be planted in a semi-shaded area along with another excellent shrub, Sarrococca, which has spicy, small white blooms and glossy pointed leaves – a plant of neat growth habit. Fragrant viburnums are a mid-winter favorite – nurserymen will have a selection of varieties. The Fragrance of lemon blossoms is most delightful in a winter garden – as is that of other citrus. For many months honeysuckle provides a favorite scent and holds great allure for hummingbirds. For a camera buff, what a picture with a humming bird drawing nectar from a garden flower. Insofar a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Air Condition Your Garden

July, it is the time of the year when air conditioning is as important in the garden as it is in the home. You, as the temperature rises, can cool off with an electric fan, a cool drink or by hiding away in a cool spot. Your plants are not quite that lucky; yet certain gardening techniques can be employed to help your plants through the summer months. The benefits of air conditioning in your garden will show up in the form of increased production, greater resistance to disease and pests and, in general, a more attractive vista. An improper over-heated environment during the warmer months often leads to wilt, dropping of buds and yellowing of foliage. Aeration of the soil is concerned with its exposure to the air. If this is lacking then your plants very likely will suffer this summer. Believe it or not but there are millions of tiny spaces between the soil particles and this is where air resides. Soils that become water-logged force out this air, a condition that leads to souring of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Advantages to Community Gardening: With limited gardening space, consider a community garden.

You might live in a townhouse with a postage stamp-sized yard. Perhaps you live in an apartment building without a balcony or access to green space. Perhaps you have a large yard, but it is completely shaded by large trees, or the soil in your yard is not hospitable to growing edible plants such as tomatoes, herbs and peppers. If this is the case, a community garden plot may be just the solution. Advantages of Community Gardening Good Soil and Sun Exposure Community gardening allows individuals and families to cultivate plants and grow food when otherwise they may not be able to due to conditions at their own home. Many community gardens are located in areas with mostly sunny exposure, perfect for growing vegetables and many varieties of perennial and annual flowers. Tools and Storage are Shared Many community gardens are equipped with garden tools such as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, buckets and watering cans, all of which are available for members of the garden to use. Member g...
Post a Comment
Read more