Are lithium ion and lead acid batteries the same?

Battery storage is becoming an increasingly popular addition to solar energy systems. Two of the most common battery chemistry types are lithium-ion and lead acid. As their names imply, lithium-ion batteries are made with the metal lithium, while lead-acid batteries are made with lead. How do lithium-ion and lead acid batteries work?

What is a lead-acid battery?

Lead-acid batteries have been a staple in energy storage since the mid-19th century. These batteries utilize a chemical reaction between lead plates and sulfuric acid to store and release energy. There are two primary categories of lead-acid batteries:

What are the disadvantages of a lead-acid battery?

Shallow Discharge Depth: Lead-acid batteries can only use about 50% of their capacity before their performance begins to suffer. Slower Charging: Charging times for lead-acid batteries can be twice as long as lithium batteries, which is a drawback in energy-critical applications.

Are lead-acid batteries better than lithium batteries?

Lead-acid batteries are much bulkier and heavier than their lithium counterparts. Due to the lower energy density of lead-acid chemistry, these batteries require more space to store the same amount of energy. This can be a significant disadvantage for applications where space and weight are important factors.

Can a lead acid battery be discharged past 50 percent?

While it is normal to use 85 percent or more of a lithium-ion battery’s total capacity in a single cycle, lead acid batteries should not be discharged past roughly 50 percent, as doing so negatively impacts the battery's lifetime.

Should you choose lead-acid or lithium batteries for solar storage?

Whether you opt for lead-acid or lithium technology, our goal is to help you harness solar power effectively and take control of your energy future. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, the choice between lead-acid and lithium batteries for solar storage will likely become even more nuanced.