Batteries are relatively self-sufficient electrical systems, and they don’t typically require a lot of attention from you. Solar batteries are no different, but there are still several things you can do to help them last longer and provide you with better performance throughout their lifetime. Keep reading to get a few tips for solar battery maintenance.

Proper Storage Temperature

Batteries operate most effectively and experience less degradation when they’re stored at the correct temperature. While some batteries have a wider range of acceptable operating temperatures, the majority of solar batteries function best when stored around 68˚ Fahrenheit, or 20˚ Celsius. These cooler temperatures make the battery more efficient in its operation, which means less lost energy for your home, and a longer lifespan for your batteries.

Quick Recharge after Use

When you use your solar batteries to power your home, you should try to get those batteries recharged as soon as possible. The longer a battery sits with little to no charge, the more susceptible it will be to sulfation, which can have a severe negative impact on your battery’s performance, and may even kill your battery altogether. In terms of normal daily usage, your solar batteries will likely begin recharging as soon as the sun comes up, which is just fine.

However, when extenuating circumstances are involved (such as prolonged cloudy weather), you may need to look at alternative ways to recharge your batteries. For off-grid systems, this might mean turning on your generator to recharge your batteries if there isn’t sufficient solar power to recharge them while also powering your home. For hybrid systems, you might opt to have your inverter recharge the batteries using grid power during low-demand hours, when electricity costs less per watt. Whatever you need to do to make it happen, recharging your solar batteries as soon as possible will help prolong their life and performance.

Inspect Them Regularly

Finally, don’t assume that your batteries will never need your attention (even though there’s a possibility that that will be true throughout their lifespan). You should still inspect them regularly to ensure that nothing looks amiss. A quick visual inspection of your batteries each month only takes a few minutes and can help you notice signs of sulfation, bulging battery cases, or corrosion on the battery terminals. Additionally, if you are using flooded lead-acid batteries, make sure you’re checking their fluid levels and topping them off each month.

If you follow these best solar battery maintenance tips, you can prolong your batteries’ lifespan and get more power per dollar.