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The Ultimate Guide to Solar Light Batteries: What You Need to Know – New England Solar & Green Energy
What is a Solar Light Battery?
A solar light battery, is the reservoir that stores the energy harvested by the solar panel. At dusk, the battery powers up the light so that it will shed light on your outdoor spaces. The process of recharging usually occurs every day through the sun, so there is a need for its efficiency to ensure that there is bright light at night.
These batteries are usually rechargeable, and therefore, you are able to use them for quite a longer time. The solar panel accompanying the solar light is designed to capture as much sunlight as it can, which it then converts to electrical energy and stores in the battery. This is the energy that runs the light after sunset, making solar lights to be one of the most environmentally friendly ways of lighting.
How Do Solar Light Batteries Work?
The operating energy storage and use in solar lights revolve around a process as simple as it is powerful:
Daytime Charging During the day, sunlight is absorbed by your solar light panel. The electricity generated is then forwarded to the battery. Assuming there is enough sunlight, your battery will be charged.
Energy Storage: The battery stores the acquired energy in its charged state. Most solar light systems use rechargeable batteries to store such energy; thus, they can still power the light at night.
Night Time Lightening: The battery drains this stored energy at night to light up the source. In their size and capacity, lights work for hours before another charge in daylight.
y drains this stored energy at night in lighting up the source. In their size and capacity, lights work for hours before another charge in daylight.
Types of Batteries for Solar Lights
There are a number of types of batteries integrated into solar lights, and each battery type has its benefits and limitations. The most common batteries used in solar lights include Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium-Ion (Li-ion). So let’s look at them one by one:
1. Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries:
Pros:
Affordable: NiCd batteries are typically the least expensive option.
Reliable in Cold Weather: NiCd batteries perform well in colder temperatures, which is particularly important for solar lights in New England.
Durability: These batteries are known for their longevity and can handle thousands of charge cycles.
Cons:
Memory Effect:NiCd batteries suffer from a “memory effect,” meaning they can lose their capacity if they’re not fully discharged before being recharged. This can lead to shorter battery life over time.
Toxicity: Nickel-cadmium batteries contain cadmium, which is toxic and needs to be properly recycled.
2. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
Pros:
Higher Capacity: The NiMH batteries have a much higher energy capacity as compared to the NiCd batteries, so your solar lights remain for a longer period of time in bright shine.
More Eco-friendly: NiMH is more eco-friendly than NiCd since it doesn’t contain the toxic component cadmium.
No Memory Effect: NiMH does not suffer from the memory effect, meaning that you can charge the battery at anytime, without having any lost capacity.
Cons:
Cold Sensitive: NiMH does not suffer from the memory effect, meaning that you can charge the battery at anytime, without having any lost capacity.
More Pricey: Your solar lights will stay brighter for longer thanks to the NiMH batteries’ far higher energy capacity than that of the NiCd batteries.
How Long Do Solar Light Batteries Last?
The longevity of solar light batteries is influenced by their type, use, and surroundings. It can live for one to three years, in a sense. Following that, it began to operate worse and was unable to maintain the same amount of charge.
- NiCd and NiMH batteries typically need to be replaced every 1-2 years.
- Lithium-Ion batteries can last up to 3 years or longer if properly maintained.
Why Choose Solar Lights with High-Quality Batteries from New England Solar & Green Energy?
New England Solar & Green Energy offers a wide range of the best-quality solar lighting products useful for homes, gardens, and businesses. Our products are based on the best-quality rechargeable batteries, ensuring long performance even under the worst climatic conditions characteristic of New England climate. We have many decorative options for garden lights, security lights, and pathway lighting options, which are both eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
Durability & Performance: Our solar lights have a high-capacity, long-lasting battery, making your light shine brightly every night.
Energy Efficiency: The designs of our products will allow maximum utilization of saved energy so that you can enjoy fantastic outdoor lighting without a single penny difference in your electricity bills.
Sustainable Solutions: We promote sustainability and a reduction in your carbon footprint through free, clean energy gathered from the sun utilizing solar lighting solutions.
New England Solar & Green Energy would be happy to have you call them when you are ready to brighten up the outside of your home or business with effective and reliable solar lighting. This will allow them to make the perfect selection of solar lights and batteries for you so that you can start lighting up your home or business in a friendly way to the environment!