This article will discuss a number of different types of batteries that can be used with solar power and which kind is the best to use. Most people who install a solar power system want to use power at night when the sun isn’t shining, and so will require some way to store the energy generated during the day. Batteries, when used in combination with with a solar charge controller, will store electricity while it is being produced by the solar panels and then let you make use of the stored energy later. But, what is the best type of battery to use?

Many people would probably first think of the new battery technologies used in devices like cell phones, laptop computers and also in hybrid cars. There are reasons these batteries are a good fit for those devices, but as you’ll see they don’t apply to solar power systems.

The biggest advantage these newer battery technologies have is size and weight. These newer battery technologies, though, cost a great deal more than the older technologies for the same capacity. For devices like ipods, being small and light are more important than cost, so these newer technologies are a good fit in these devices.

You likely aren’t going to be carrying your solar power system around with you, however. On the other hand, you are going to want as much capacity as you can afford. So, much more important than size or weight will be price per watt/hour of capacity.

If you want the best value for a given battery capacity, you can’t beat regular sealed lead acid. The battery in your car is sealed lead acid. For the same capacity battery, a sealed lead acid battery will be ½ to ¼ the price of the newer types. For toughness, low cost and safety, you can’t bead sealed lead acid batteries.

In most solar power systems you will find 12v sealed lead acid batteries. The most common voltages for home solar power systems are 12, 24 or 48 volts. These voltages can easily be obtained by connecting together the proper quantity of 12v batteries in series. You then take these groups of batteries tied together in series and wire the groups in parallel to increase the amount of power you can store and then later release from the batteries.

A 12 volt solar battery charger will use the electricity produced by the solar panels to keep the batteries charged. The charger will make sure the voltage going to the batteries is correct, and will prevent overcharging.

A power inverter will allow you to supply power to appliances you would normally plug into the wall . To mix power from your batteries and from the power company, or to sell excess electricity back to the power company, you will require a grid tie inverter. If not, a standard power inverter will be cheaper and work fine for your standard appliances.

So there you have it. While the newer, high efficiency technology is best for solar panels, old fashioned technology is best when it comes to batteries for a home solar power system. Sealed lead acid batteries are the best choice for home solar power systems.