All these systems produce DC electrical which must be stored so that it may be used at a later time.  In order to do this at the present time we use deep cycle batteries.

Deep cycle batteries are used because they have the ability to be recycled many times.  This means that they can go from being charged to being discharged to 50% numerous times without damaging the batteries unlike that of other batteries such as cranking batteries which are used to start vehicles.

When selecting batteries for your system it is important to make sure that you purchase batteries with enough amp hours to meet your electrical needs for at least four days so that you have electric during times when your system is unable to recharge your batteries.  You must also have enough solar modules, etc to be able to recharge the batteries to back to a state of fullness. 

The two biggest downfalls seen in many off-grid solar electric systems is that the battery systems are either under sized which means that there will be electrical interruptions.  The greater problem is when the battery bank is larger then the system's ability to recharge them.  This means that the batteries never have a chance to fully recharge, thus shortening the battery's life.

Below you will find resources under Battery Information which will help you in sizing your systems battery bank.  Also there are resources to help you maintain your batteries.

• CONCORDE
• GNB
• HUP SOLAR ONE
• IBE
• INTERSTATE
• MK
• SURRETTE
• TROJAN

• HUP SOLAR ONE
• INTERSTATE
• SURRETTE
• TROJAN

• CONCORDE
• GNB
• IBE
• MK
• INTERSTATE

• BATTERY BOXES
• BATTERY CHARGERS
• BATTERY RACKS
• DESULFATORS
• HYDROMETERS
• WATER MISER CAPS
• ZEPHYR POWER VENTS

• How Batteries Work

• More Information

• Charging & Charging Systems

• Sulfation

• Maintenance

• Preventive Maintenance & Charging

• Activating (Dry)

• Winter Storage

• Measuring Specific Gravity

• Safety