We’ll explain the maintenance required of four common storage types used in the solar industry: lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium and flow batteries. The varying degrees of battery maintenance can influence which energy storage system is chosen for a solar-plus-storage application. For system owners wanting a hands-off maintenance approach, lithium batteries are a popular choice, but they don’t work in extreme environments. If someone is looking for a cheap and durable storage type, they may choose lead-acid batteries, understanding that there is some hands-on maintenance required. Just as different types of solar panels change how the overall solar system performs and is maintained, the many types of battery chemistries influence the performance and upkeep required of a solar-plus-storage system.
