How to Power the Batteries in Your Solar Panels Throughout the Winter

If you typically get most of your energy from solar panels, you know how much money they help you save, especially as the costs of gas and electricity continue to rise. But when the winter rolls around, it can be really hard for your solar panels to live up to your standards, and you may quickly notice that you're consuming more of the energy provided to you from your energy supplier than that from the panels themselves. This is simply because the sun isn't as strong as it is in the summer and the weather is so much colder and harsher. But if your solar panels are part of an off-grid type will these batteries always be powered enough throughout the winter? Continue reading for some tips.

A Background on Batteries

Lead-acid batteries operate best when the temperature is 25°C or 77°F. Once the temperature of the batteries themselves drops to 15°C or 59°F, you should notice that their performance decreases quite dramatically. If their temperature drops below 8°C or 46°F, they will be working at half capacity and you will definitely notice a difference in their performance if you have not already. And if the temperature continues to fall to around o°C, or 32°F, which is the freezing mark, the batteries can be damaged severely.

To prevent these problems, there are steps that you can and should take to maintain the optimal temperature and keep your batteries working through the cold months of the year.

Analyze the Battery Pack

One of the first things that you can do to preserve the life and performance of your batteries through the winter is to check the battery pack in the autumn before the winter even settles in for the year. If it needs to be topped off with distilled water, do so. Make sure, too, that all of the battery pack's connectors are fitted firmly into place and that all of the connectors are clean.

Make sure the battery pack is in a dry, clean environment that is also properly ventilated in order to prevent any hydrogen from building up. Applying copper grease around the connectors is also a great idea and a way to prevent problems altogether. The copper grease will ensure proper connectivity while also preventing dampness from forming that would be detrimental to the battery pack.

Provide Much-Needed Insulation

Just as you insulate your home in order to keep the cold out and the warmth in throughout the winter season, you can also insulate the batteries to make sure they maintain an appropriate temperature without freezing when the temperature drops.

First, make sure that you pick up your batteries off a concrete floor if that is where they are currently located. Concrete floors get very cold when the temperature drops and the temperature of the floor will directly affect the temperature of the batteries. Therefore, place them on wood instead.

For more details, you may ask assistance from various solar panel providers and experts in Dubai.