Pylontech: batteries that perform
Energy storage technology is evolving at a record pace. We are now able to store more energy than ever, giving us virtually unlimited access to power.
Homeowners across South Africa are recognising the benefits of installing a solar PV battery system. Not only does an energy storage system offer power security during load shedding, but it is also a fantastic way to invest in renewable energy and reduce your carbon footprint at home.
We recommend solar batteries from Pylontech: one of the world’s leading manufacturers of storage technology. But what makes a good solar battery? And how do you know which model to choose?
What makes a good solar battery?
Choosing the “right” battery will ultimately depend on your home’s specific requirements.
But when comparing PV batteries, there are serval categories that determine how “good” each product is.
Battery type
The two most common battery types are lithium (lithium-ion or lithium-iron-phosphate) and lead-acid.
Lead batteries rely on older technology, and these batteries tend to be bigger in size than their lithium counterparts. Despite offering a lower depth of discharge (DOD) and a shorter lifespan, lead-acid batteries are a cheaper alternative to lithium batteries. Generally, lead-acid batteries are not recommended for homeowners looking to power their homes with solar every day but can work as a back-up during load shedding.
Lithium batteries are smaller, lighter and more efficient. They typically require far less maintenance and can run for a substantially higher number of cycles. For the longest lifetimes and the highest safety ratings, we recommend lithium-iron-phosphate PV batteries.
Capacity
Keep an eye out for how much energy the battery can store. This metric is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Efficiency
A battery’s efficiency is calculated on how much energy it consumes while running during a cycle, i.e. how much electricity you yield after the battery consumes the power it needs.
So, if a 10kWh battery only lets you draw out 8.5kWh, it is 85% efficient.
Charge rate
Often, batteries are listed with a ‘0.5C’ or ‘1C’ charge rate, representing how long it takes the battery to charge up/discharge all its power. If a battery has a 0.5C charge rating, it should provide 500mA for two hours and take two hours to discharge. Batteries with a higher charge rate are ideal if you are looking for quick, standby power.
Number of cycles
A battery cycle represents full charge and discharge. So, the number of cycles gives you an idea of how long the battery will last, depending on how often you intend to cycle it.
Lithium batteries tend to offer roughly 6,000 cycles, which would last just over 16 years if cycled once a day.
Depth of discharge
A battery’s DOD refers to the capacity available in each cycle before its lifespan takes a hit. So, a battery with a higher DOD means you will be able to use more of its capacity before recharging it.
A premium PV offering from Pylontech
SegenSolar offers a range of low-voltage batteries from Pylontech on the portal, namely:
- UP2500 (24V)
- US2000C (48V)
- US3000C (48V)
- UP5000 (48V)
- US2000B-Plus V2 (48V)
These lithium batteries offer a 0.5C charge rate and are parallelable up to 16 units per battery bank (other than the UP2500 that has a 20-unit parallel capacity, and the US2000B-Plus V2, which is just eight units).
With 6,000 cycles at 95% DOD, these batteries are ideal for daily cycling applications and are compatible with most inverters on the market. They are modular for easy installation and come with a 15+ year design life.
The UP2500 and UP5000 come with a five-year warranty (extendable to seven years on the UP2500), while the other solutions come with a seven-year warranty that is extendable to 10 years.
As seen in Kit Builder
You can find Pylontech’s market-leading solar batteries in various Kits in SegenSolar’s free Kit Builder tool on the customer portal.
Kit Builder allows solar installer and wholesale customers to purchase a complete, compatible PV system with all the required components in just a few clicks. The software has parameters set to ensure total accuracy every time. What’s more, we offer our installer customers a 3% net discount across each PV system designed, plus a 14-day price fix for the quoted sum.
If you are a solar installer looking to embark on your renewable energy journey, create an account on the free SegenSolar portal today. If you are a homeowner and want a Pylontech storage solution installed, you can get in touch with a member of our friendly team who would be delighted to help you.