Down-sizing battery systems [RE-wrenches]

Jeff Yago jryago at netscape.com
Sat Jan 26 15:31:44 PST 2008


Over the years I have noticed we are designing smaller and smaller battery banks for both grid-connected and total off-grid applications. 

I think this may have come from the pre-90's solar design goals that off-grid applications should have 4 to 5 day of autonomy.  This was easy to do when the only electrical loads were a refrigerator, a few lights, and a small television.  However, this is harder and harder to achieve these days as more and more homeowners consider multiple computers, a satellite receiver, high-speed Internet, recessed lighting, a 60" television with theater-sound, and a dish-washer as must-have  necessities.

To reduce battery space requirements and costs, we are starting to install off-grid systems with fewer days of battery-only capacity, and relying on a back-up generator to re-charge when solar is not available. I also think since it is now easier to sell back to the grid, perhaps there is less need for huge battery banks in battery back-up type solar systems to absorb all that excess power when installing a large solar array. 

Anybody out there doing battery based systems that are starting to notice these market trends?

Jeff Yago

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