As the global demand for sustainable energy, solar power has gradually become a popular choice for homes and businesses.
dock, faced with a wide variety of solar systems, energilagringslösningar, and battery types, many people may be confused: Which solar equipment is best for them?
Whether you want to completely get off the grid, save on electricity bills, or ensure the stability of your power supply, it is important to understand the different types of solar systems and their core components.
What types of solar energy storage systems? I den här guiden, we will analyze the three main types of solar energy storage systems, common solar panel installation methods, and the most commonly used battery types to help you find the most suitable solar solution for your needs.
Innehållsförteckning
Part 1: What is a Solar Power System?
The solar power system is a system that uses solar cells to convert solar energy into electrical energy.
As we all know, solar energy is an inexhaustible energy source at this stage.
As long as the sun is still emitting energy, photovoltaic power generation can use the abundant energy of solar energy and convert it into the electrical energy needed in daily life.
Med den ständiga utvecklingen av teknik, photovoltaic power generation technology has been very perfect, gradually moving from commercial to home use, and truly popularizing it to the public.
Whether it is commercial or home use, all solar energy systems are almost composed of the following important parts that work together:
1. Solpaneler
Solar panels are the core part of the entire solar energy system. The main raw material is silicon, and the core of the solar panel is the P-N junction.
The two ends of the P-N junction are P-type materials (mostly holes with positrons) and B-type materials (mostly holes with negative electrons). You can think of a solar panel as an electronics factory.
When the “workers” (sunlight) come to the solar panel, they will move electrons from the P area to the N area.
Vid den här tiden, the electric field of the P-N junction will be like a conveyor belt, ensuring that the electrons flow and form a direct current, which is the electricity we need.
2. Inverter
Inverter is a device that converts the electrical energy generated by solar panels.
When direct current is formed on the solar panel, the direct current cannot be directly used for the use of the equipment and must be processed and used.
There are many electronic switches inside the inverter (think of it as a faucet that opens and closes quickly).
These electronic switches quickly cut the DC power into pulses. By controlling the opening and closing time of the switch, the inverter can “piece together” these pulses into a waveform similar to AC power.
The voltage and frequency of AC power are adjusted in this way.
To make the output of AC power more stable, the inverter will use SPWM (sinusoidal pulse width modulation) technology to “trim” the pulses into smooth sine waves, which can be used as stably as the power output of the power grid.
3. Distribution Board
The Distribution Board is a device that manages and controls the power generated by solar panels. Its task is to manage and protect the entire solar energy system, ensure that the power is reasonably distributed and used, and prevent the battery from being overcharged or over-discharged.
The controller will monitor the status of the battery at all times, and decide whether to charge quickly or slowly according to the battery power.
På samma gång, it also monitors the status of the battery at all times to ensure that the battery power is maintained in a safe range to ensure the efficiency and long-term practicality of the battery.
The Distribution Board can also continuously adjust the working state of the solar panel through the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) function so that it always generates electricity at the highest efficiency.
Solar Battery is the energy storage device in the entire solar energy system.
Vid laddning, the positive and negative electrodes inside the battery will “absorb” elektrisk energi, undergo chemical reactions, and store the electrical energy; when discharging, these chemical reactions will “release” electrical energy for us to use.
When the electricity generated by the solar panel cannot be used up during the day, the excess electricity will be stored in the battery in the form of chemical energy.
When the solar panel cannot generate electricity, the battery will transmit the stored electricity back in the form of electrical energy for use.
Part 2: 3 Basic Solar Energy Storage Systems. What Types of Solar Energy Storage Systems Do You Need?
After a detailed understanding of the solar energy system, you will find that the key components of the entire system are similar.
The only difference is in the direction of energy storage.
Därför, the solar energy storage system can be divided into 3 types according to the interaction between the solar energy system and the power grid.
These are also the 3 most basic types:
Off-grid solar energy storage system/battery
The off-grid solar energy storage system is an energy solution that is not connected to the power grid.
The solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy.
Part of it is directly supplied to the load, and the other part is stored in the battery through the controller. The whole system realizes its own power generation, storage, and discharge.
The off-grid solar energy storage system is a self-sufficient small power plant with the advantages of independent power supply, environmental protection and energy saving, flexible installation, and long-term benefits.
Därför, the off-grid solar energy storage system is particularly suitable for places where there is no access to the power grid or the power grid is unstable, such as remote mountain villages, islands, or desert areas, kommunikationsbasstationer, street lights, and monitoring equipment, as well as some mobile devices such as RVs and boats.
Grid-connected solar energy storage system
Grid-connected solar energy storage system is a smart energy system that can generate electricity by itself and “cooperate” with the grid.
Under dagen, solar energy is converted into direct current through solar panels and used by loads through Inverter and Distribution Board.
Vid den här tiden, the excess electricity will be transmitted to the grid, and you will get points at this time, which will be used to exchange for excess electricity or income.
Därför, in the grid-connected solar energy storage system, the grid is the energy storage system.
Without batteries, the cost of the entire solar energy system will be effectively reduced. It is very suitable for families, industrial parks, commercial buildings, and urban public facilities with reliable power access.
Hybrid solar energy storage system
The hybrid solar energy storage system is a system that combines the characteristics of an off-grid solar energy storage system and a grid-connected solar energy storage system.
It can be connected to the grid and operate like a grid-connected system.
When there is solar energy, energy can be obtained for load and stored in the battery, and the excess electricity can be transmitted to the grid for points.
When solar energy cannot be obtained, the load is maintained by the battery.
När batteriet är lågt, it can also obtain electricity from the grid.
This system can take all situations into account, and the corresponding cost will be relatively high, so it is more suitable for areas with unstable electricity, areas with large fluctuations in electricity prices, industrial users, and hospitals, and other places with high requirements for power systems.
Part 3: What are the Types of Solar Panel Installation?
In the entire solar energy system, the Solar panel is the core part, and of course, it is worth knowing in detail.
According to different energy needs and scales, there are 4 classic Solar panel installation types that are worth your understanding.
Residential solar is simply a solar energy system installed in your home. The scale is generally not large. It is mainly to meet the daily use needs of the family, such as power supply for common household appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. It is a common system in life.
Fördelar
1. Save money. After installing a solar energy system, the use of electricity bills can be effectively reduced. Government subsidies can significantly reduce installation costs and even generate profits.
2. Miljöskydd. Use clean energy to replace daily electricity and reduce carbon emissions.
3. Energy independence. Reducing dependence on the power grid can make household electricity use more independent and secure in remote areas.
Applikationsscenarier
Residential solar is suitable for all types of families, whether it is a single-family villa, townhouse, or apartment, as long as there is a suitable space (such as a roof, balcony, or yard), it can be installed.
Commercial and industrial solar
Commercial and industrial solar can be well understood as a large-scale solar system, which is mainly used to meet the electricity needs of enterprises, and at the same time sells excess electricity to the power grid to obtain additional income.
Fördelar
1. Reduce costs. For enterprises, electricity bills are a very large expense. Through solar energy systems, operating costs can be effectively reduced, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness of enterprises.
2. Establish a good brand image. Energy conservation and environmental protection are the common responsibilities of people all over the world. The use of clean energy can effectively enhance the corporate image.
3. Stable power supply. Solar energy systems can provide stable power for production equipment, lighting systems, etc., reducing dependence on traditional energy.
Applikationsscenarier
Commercial and industrial solar is suitable for commercial buildings and industrial parks, such as shopping malls, hospitals, factories, and warehouses, etc. Solar energy systems can also be installed in parking lots to provide shading services while generating electricity.
Utility-scale solar
Utility-scale solar is generally developed and operated by professional energy companies and power companies. It is very large in scale and is generally built in places with sufficient sunlight. It has high investment and high power generation and can supply electricity to thousands of companies.
Fördelar
1. Low overall cost. Because of its large scale, it can provide a large amount of cheap clean electricity to the society.
2. Miljöskydd. Solar power generation generally does not produce pollution and has made great contributions to environmental protection.
3. Promote economic development in remote areas. The construction of large-scale power stations can effectively promote the local economy and create employment opportunities.
4. Stable power supply. The power station will be closely connected to the power grid to provide stable power supply to surrounding areas and enterprises.
Applikationsscenarier
Utility-scale solar is mainly used in some remote areas where the power grid cannot cover, and can provide stable power supply to local residents. På samma gång, it will be combined with clean energy such as wind power and hydropower to form a diversified energy supply system.
Community solar
Community solar is a type of solar installation between residential solar and commercial and industrial solar. It is jointly invested and built by residents and enterprises in the community. It is usually installed in the public area of the community to generate electricity for everyone to use.
Fördelar
1. Flexible installation. Suitable for users who do not have the conditions to install. For apartment users, they can also use solar energy flexibly.
2. Save resources. Use solar energy to meet the daily needs of users in the community, significantly saving resources.
3. Enhance community cohesion. The joint construction of solar energy systems can enhance community responsibility and promote the sustainable development of the community.
Applikationsscenarier
Community solar is mainly used in some schools and residential areas. It takes into account the situation in the community, reduces living and use costs, and provides clean electricity
Part 4: 3 Types of Battery for Solar Panel
The battery is an important part of the whole system. A good battery can effectively utilize the electricity generated by solar energy and achieve the highest utilization rate and storage rate.
The following will explain the 3 types of batteries for solar panels in detail.
Lead-acid batteries are the earliest type of batteries used in solar systems.
The technology is very mature. It consists of lead plates and sulfuric acid electrolytes.
It can be divided into two common categories, ordinary lead-acid batteries and gel batteries.
Ordinary lead-acid batteries need to be regularly added with water for maintenance, while gel batteries replace the electrolyte with gel, which is maintenance-free and increases the lifespan but also increases the cost.
Fördelar
1. Låg kostnad. The price of lead-acid batteries is relatively cheap and suitable for users with limited budgets.
2. Mature technology. Widely used, easy to repair and replace.
3. Hög tillförlitlighet. Stable performance at room temperature.
Nackdelar
1. Short life. The life of ordinary bly-syra batterier is usually only 3-5 år, while that of gel batteries is slightly longer.
2. Large size and heavy weight. Low energy density and large space occupation.
3. High maintenance requirements. Ordinary lead-acid batteries need to be regularly watered. Although gel batteries are maintenance-free, they are more expensive.
4. Deep discharge affects life. If the battery power is too low, it will shorten the life.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of battery in recent years and are also the most popular and advanced type of battery.
The core material of lithium-ion batteries is lithium compounds. There are two common types, namely lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries and ternary lithium (NMC) batterier.
Bland dem, LiFePO4 batteries are the most common in solar energy systems because of their stability and safety.
Fördelar
1. Hög energitäthet. Liten storlek, lättvikt, and high storage capacity.
2. Långt liv. Usually can be used for 10-15 years and many cycles.
3. Hög effektivitet. High charge and discharge efficiency, less energy loss.
4. Underhållsfri. Almost no maintenance is required, easy to use.
5. Strong deep discharge capability. Can discharge to a lower power without affecting life.
Nackdelar
1. Hög kostnad. The initial price is higher than lead-acid batteries, but more cost-effective in the long run.
Flödesbatterier
Flow batteries are a new type of energy storage technology, whose electrolyte is flowing and stored in external tanks. The common type is the all-vanadium flow battery.
Fördelar
1. Ultra-long life. In many cycles, life can exceed 20 år.
2. Strong scalability. Energy and power can be designed independently, suitable for large-scale energy storage.
3. Hög säkerhet. The electrolyte is water-based, non-flammable, and highly safe.
4. Deep discharge has no effect. Can be fully discharged without affecting life.
Nackdelar
1. Hög kostnad. The large initial investment is suitable for large-scale applications.
2. Large size. Requires additional tanks and pipelines, taking up a lot of space.
3. Low efficiency. The charging and discharging efficiency is lower than that of lithium-ion batteries.
After the above comprehensive information, you must have a detailed understanding of the 3 types of batteries. To fully let you compare these three types of batteries, here is a table for you.
| Typer | Blysyrbatterier | Lithium-ion batteries | Flödesbatterier |
| Lifespan | 3–7 years | 10–15 years | 20+ år |
| Cykelliv | 300–1500 cycles | 2000–6000 cycles | 10,000–20,000 cycles |
| Kosta | Låg | Relatively high | Hög |
| Energy density | Låg | Hög | Medium |
| Size and weight Large | Heavy | Small | Large(external storage tank required) |
| Underhåll | Require maintenance | Underhållsfri | Underhållsfri |
| Säkerhet | Bra | Requires BMS management | Bra |
Through the above table, you can make a detailed comparison and comprehensively choose which type of battery you need.
After the continuous innovation of battery technology, lithium batteries are now commonly used in solar energy systems.
In the table, you can see the advantages of lithium batteries in detail, and you will also find that high-quality lithium batteries are equipped with BMS (Batterihanteringssystem) management.
BMS is the “brain” och “bodyguard” av batteriet.
It monitors and manages the status of the battery to ensure that the battery works safely, stably, and efficiently.
So when choosing a lithium battery, you can focus on this indicator.
Till exempel, GYCX’s lithium batteries have always been the most trustworthy in the use of solar energy systems.
Slutsats
To choose the right solar energy system, you need to be clear about three things: your electricity needs, your budget for installing a solar power system, and the long-term goals you want to achieve by installing a solar power system.
Whether you choose an off-grid, nätansluten, or hybrid solar energy storing system, it is crucial that you choose the right solar panel mounting method, as well as the right battery technology.
Choosing the right combination can dramatically increase system efficiency and maintain long-term sustainability.
If you don’t know how to build a solar system combination based on your actual situation, then you can consult a professional who can comprehensively assess your situation and give you the most satisfactory solution.
Vanliga frågor
1. How do I choose the right type of solar system for me?
Först, consider your electricity needs.
If you are in a remote area or where power outages are frequent, an off-grid solar energy storage system is more suitable; if you want to reduce costs and participate in distributed photovoltaic power generation, you can choose a grid-connected solar energy storage system; if you are in an area with unstable electricity or want to profit from the difference in peak and valley electricity prices, a hybrid solar energy storage system is a good choice.
På samma gång, you should also make a comprehensive judgment based on factors such as budget, installation location, and environmental conditions.
2. Does the solar system require maintenance?
Any system requires maintenance, including solar systems, but the maintenance requirements for solar systems are relatively simple.
The maintenance of a solar system is mainly about the cleaning of the solar panels and the operational condition of the system, and you only need to maintain these two items on a regular basis.
In special cases, your batteries will also need maintenance, if you are using lead-acid batteries then they will need regular maintenance and servicing, whereas lithium-ion batteries and liquid flow batteries generally require no maintenance.
3. Is it better to install solar panels on the roof or the ground?
There are no absolute advantages and disadvantages, and more needs to be assessed according to the environment in which the solar energy system is installed.
Rooftop installation does not take up additional land, and can highly utilise building space and reduce shadows, thus enhancing the utilisation of solar energy resources.
dock, the installation angle and direction will be restricted by the structure of the roof building, and system maintenance is also inconvenient.
Däremot, ground-mounted installations are more flexible in terms of angle and orientation, and are easier to maintain, but they require a large amount of land resources, and solar utilisation is very much influenced by the surrounding environment.
