Since solar energy can only be obtained during the day, the logical consequence is the installation of an energy storage device for a photovoltaic system. Even those who only want to use solar power during the hours of sunshine can rarely avoid purchasing a solar storage tank, since the times of greatest solar intensity rarely coincide with the times of greatest need. Without electricity storage, huge amounts of energy would be wasted senselessly. As a result, the cost-benefit ratio of a photovoltaic system without energy storage would be significantly worse.

Construction and function of lead storage

Various technical solutions are available for solar power storage. A common solar storage system is the lead-acid battery. It is one of the oldest and most widely used electricity storage devices. Everyone probably knows him from the car and has dealt with him there before. The batteries used as photovoltaic storage are technically hardly different from batteries from the automotive sector, but like any other technical storage solution they also have advantages and disadvantages. The lead storage consists of electrodes in plate form, which are stored in a bath of sulfuric acid and enter into an electrochemical reaction with it. When charged, the poles of the lead storage tank consist of lead(IV) oxide (positive pole) and metallic lead (negative pole). If the battery is discharged, the lead on both poles turns into lead (II) sulphate. When charging, this chemical reaction is reversed again. However, the lead sulphate at the poles can never be completely dissolved by charging. Over time, larger and larger deposits remain, the lead storage ages and loses capacity.

Efficient storage with proven benefits

Lead-acid batteries have several advantages that also make them attractive as photovoltaic storage. Lead-acid batteries have been in use for over 120 years, and today their technology is absolutely perfect.

In addition, the lead storage tank can deliver high currents for a short time, which is an advantage if many consumers are suddenly activated at the same time in the household. In general, lead solar storage tanks can be obtained cheaply, since their technology is very simple and the starting materials are cheap. In addition, these power storage devices require little maintenance, only the acid level needs to be checked if necessary. In addition, lead-acid batteries are also environmentally friendly because lead is easily mined and recycled.

The course of the day with a solar power storage

The disadvantages must also be weighed

On the other hand, there are also serious disadvantages. As every car owner knows, lead storage tanks only have a lifespan of a few years. These batteries also tolerate deep discharge much worse than, for example, lithium storage. If lead energy storage devices are regularly deeply discharged, their already short service life is dramatically reduced. Batteries made of lead also always produce small amounts of gas when charging, which are explosive and can escape into the outside air. This type of solar storage tank should therefore only be installed in ventilated rooms. Furthermore, batteries made of lead are larger and heavier than other energy storage devices with the same storage capacity, and their efficiency is lower. However, there are no disadvantages in terms of state subsidies, it doesn't matter which type of solar storage system you choose.

Conclusion: is it worth buying a lead storage tank or not?

However, before making a final judgment about the purpose and benefits of lead storage, it must also be pointed out that the development of lithium batteries, in contrast to lead storage, has not yet reached its technical end. These memory types have become better and cheaper in recent years. If you want to wait and see how the development goes, it is better to use cheap solar power storage made of lead. Lithium batteries will probably offer even better value for money in 5 to 10 years, which will make the switch really attractive. You can also save money by buying used. SecondSol offers a variety of used and new photovoltaic storage units and other components for solar power systems.