Key Takeaways:
- According to a research study, high ambient temperatures can contribute to the high internal temperature of the battery. It can result in a reduced lifespan.
- When backup batteries are exposed to extreme temperatures, their internal components become stressed, and experience accelerated wear and tear.
- High temperatures can cause the electrolyte inside the battery to evaporate, decreasing the overall volume of liquid and the battery’s capacity.
- Excessive heat can also lead to safety hazards, such as thermal runaway, a process in which a battery produces heat and causes its temperature to increase. It can lead to a chain reaction that can cause the battery to overheat and potentially catch fire.
When the mercury rises, home and business solar energy systems struggle to meet their full potential. And when temperatures soar too high beyond what’s typical for an area, it can pose new challenges. Hot weather negatively affects the performance of your solar backup battery. According to a research study, high ambient temperatures can contribute to the high internal temperature of the battery, resulting in a reduced lifespan.
For those who rely on these renewable energy sources — from homeowners to large-scale businesses — understanding how hot weather affects performance is essential for determining the best practices in temperature maintenance and keeping batteries efficient over time.
In this blog post, experts from Core Home Innovations will dive into how hot weather affects solar backup battery life and what you can do to keep them in their prime condition during warmer months!
How Does Hot Temperature Affect Battery Life?
When backup batteries are exposed to extreme temperatures, their internal components become stressed, and experience accelerated wear and tear. It can lead to lower battery capacity over time and decreased overall performance.
The most critical component of a backup battery’s life is its temperature. Heat accelerates chemical reactions inside the battery, resulting in faster degradation than cooler temperatures. High operating temperature significantly shortens backup batteries’ lifespan, leading to a decrease in efficiency and an increased risk of failure due to component fatigue.
Impact of Hot Weather on Battery
1. Decreased Capacity
High temperatures can cause the electrolyte inside the battery to evaporate, decreasing the overall volume of liquid and the battery’s capacity. It can happen in sealed batteries and those that are not sealed, as the hot temperature can cause pressure to build up within the battery, which can cause it to vent and lose electrolytes.
2. Increased Self-Discharge
High temperatures can increase the rate of self-discharge, which is the rate at which a battery loses its charge when not in use. It is particularly concerning for backup batteries, as they need to maintain a full charge to be ready to use when needed.
3. Increased Internal Resistance
High temperatures can also increase the internal resistance of a battery, leading to a decrease in performance and an increase in heat generation. It can cause the battery to fail more quickly.
4. Safety Hazards
Excessive heat can also lead to safety hazards, such as thermal runaway, a process in which a battery produces heat and causes its temperature to increase. It can lead to a chain reaction that can cause the battery to overheat and potentially catch fire.
5. Impact of Solar Panels
Solar panels can generate more heat when exposed to direct sunlight, which increases the internal temperature of backup batteries connected to solar panels. The risk of overheating can be minimized by installing a proper cooling system for backup batteries and solar panels.
Hot weather can significantly impact backup battery life if not properly managed. High temperatures can reduce backup battery capacity, runtime, and lifespan and increase the risk of overheating and accelerated self-discharge. It’s important to keep batteries in a cool, dry place and to avoid exposing them to prolonged periods of high temperatures to prolong their lifespan and ensure optimal performance.
Also Read: Protecting Yourself from The Top 5 Solar Energy Scams
How To Protect Backup Batteries from Heat
Here are some ways to protect your solar backup batteries from heat and extreme weather conditions.
Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is essential in hot weather to keep backup batteries and solar panels cool. It’s vital to ensure that the backup battery system has adequate air circulation around it while avoiding direct sunlight or other heat sources.
Install Cooling Systems
A cooling system can help reduce backup battery temperature during hot weather, improving its performance and extending lifespan. For example, a fan can blow air over backup batteries and solar panels to keep them cool.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible when storing backup batteries because the high temperatures will cause them to lose capacity quickly over time. Sunlight should also be avoided when charging backup batteries, as this can negatively affect their performance.
Battery Monitoring
Use a battery monitoring system to keep track of the temperature and voltage of the batteries and take action if the temperature rises. It can help you identify potential issues before they become significant problems.
Choosing The Right Batteries
Using backup batteries to withstand hot temperatures will improve their performance and lifespan in warm weather. Look for backup batteries with components resistant to high temperatures and feature cooling systems such as fans or air vents.
Use Insulation
Insulating the battery storage area can reduce heat gain from the surrounding environment. It can be done with materials such as foam insulation or reflective insulation.
Let Core Home Innovations Help You Out with Amazing Power Backup Products!
At Core Home Innovations, we understand the importance of protecting your solar batteries from heat. We offer a wide range of power backup products from small to large capacity in the Woodlands and nearby areas. We can also provide battery maintenance to ensure your batteries are up and running when needed. We also offer residential and commercial roofing, solar maintenance and installation, outdoor patios, and more.
Get a free quote today, or visit our website to learn more.
