Selecting a Battery System

We need diiferent batteries so as to achieve optimal application-

specific performance. As we know, each material exhibits a unique
set of properties, specific to itself. In selecting the materials for a
battery system we want to use materials that emphasize desirable
properties, as pertains to the intended application. The major
considerations in selecting a battery system are summarized
.below

 Battery Type: Primary, secondary,  reserve or fuel cell system.

 Battery Voltage: Nominal or operating voltage, maximum/minimum

voltage limits, discharge profile, voltage delay, start-up time.

 Load Current & Profile: Constant current, constant resistance, or

constant power; value of load current, constant or variable load

current.

 Duty Cycle: Continuous or intermittent, schedule if cycle is

intermittent.

 Temperature Requirements: Operational temperature range.

 Service Life: Length of time over which operation is required.

 Physical Requirements: Size, shape, weight limitations.

 Shelf Life: Allowable storage time.

 Charge-Discharge Cycle: Discharge profile and charging efficiency.

 Environmental Conditions: Atmospheric conditions including

pressure and humidity, shock, vibration, spin, acceleration environment

compatibility.

 Safety & Reliability: Permissible failure rates.

 Maintenance: Ease of battery maintenance and replacement.

 Cost: Initial and operating costs.

 Selecting a solar panel System

Solar Panel Cost .1

This is probably the first factor people consider when comparing
solar panels. The solar panel cost is determined by different
variables: the size (in Watts), the physical size, the brand, the
quality of the materials, the durability (or warranty period) and any
.certifications the solar panel might have

2. Solar Panel Quality

This takes into account how the panel is manufactured
and the quality of the materials used to build the solar
panel. There are different types of manufacturers
producing panels that differ in quality, price, and
efficiency. There are vertically integrated solar panel
manufacturers which control each stage of the production
process. They put a strong eye on quality and invest a lot
into research and development (R&D). There are other
manufacturers that only assemble panels, but usually
don't manufacture their own cells and don’t invest in R&D.
They use more human production than robotic, but
produce the most affordable panels

3. Energy Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is how much of the light the panel

receives is converted into electrical energy and hence,
how much power your system will generate. The more
efficient, the better (and more expensive). It is not always
the best choice to get the biggest and most efficient solar
panel, since you might end up spending more money than
you should to cover your energy needs.
4. Temperature Coefficient

This refers to the impact that heat has on a solar panel’s

operational efficiency after installation. Since solar panel
overheating accelerates their ageing, the lower the percentage per
degree Celsius, the better.

5. Durability

This could be an indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in its

products. Usually, solar panels have a 25 year warranty (as long
as the company operates). If the manufacturer does not offer a
long warranty period, you could suspect that their product is not
very good and hence they don’t want to take any responsibility. In
this case, be careful not to be mislead by a tempting price since
you might regret it in the long term

4. Temperature Coefficient
This refers to the impact that heat has on a solar panel’s
operational efficiency after installation. Since solar panel
overheating accelerates their ageing, the lower the
percentage per degree Celsius, the better.

5. Durability
This could be an indicator of the manufacturer’s
confidence in its products. Usually, solar panels have a 25
year warranty (as long as the company operates). If the
manufacturer does not offer a long warranty period, you
could suspect that their product is not very good and
hence they don’t want to take any responsibility. In this
case, be careful not to be mislead by a tempting price
since you might regret it in the long term

6. Size
This takes into account the physical size and the size in
Watts. You should make sure to install a solar panel
system that is big enough to power all your appliances,
and also that you have the space required to install it. The
physical size of the panel will vary depending on how
powerful the system is (the more Watts, the bigger) and
the type of solar cells used to build the panel.

7. Types of Solar Cells Used

There are different types of solar panels with different
.efficiencies

The solar panels can be divided into 4 major categories: 

 •  Monocrystalline solar panels

 •  Polycrystalline solar panels
 •  Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact cells (PERC)
solar panels
 •  Thin-film solar panels