Flooded Lead Acid Battery

Flooded Lead-Acid
When you switch to solar energy, particularly to solar photovoltaic systems, you will be dealing with different types of solar batteries. The battery is one of the main components of a solar PV system that you should take a deeper understanding of. However, understanding and differentiating these solar batteries might be confusing to some, especially for those who are only new to the solar energy community.  

For today’s article, we will explain how important it is to understand the basics of solar batteries and highlighting one of the common solar battery types, which is the flooded lead-acid battery.
What is Flooded Lead-Acid Battery?
A flooded lead-acid battery is the most common type of deep cycle solar battery in the market compared to a sealed lead-acid battery and other lead-acid batteries. These lead-acid batteries are sometimes called “wet cell” lead-acid batteries and have been on the market for many decades. They are also the least expensive solar storage battery upfront next to Lithium-ion solar batteries, which are the most cost-effective ones. 

Flooded lead-acid batteries and sealed lead-acid batteries are always being compared with one another due to their almost same performance, depth of discharge abilities, warranty, and cycle life. The largest difference between the two lead-acid battery types is their battery maintenance. 
How Do Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries Differ From Other Lead-acid Batteries?
For a flooded lead-acid battery, you need to add water so often for their maintenance, you also have to perform periodic equalization needs. The specific gravity of the electrolyte also needs to be measured frequently with a hydrometer. 

Another factor that makes a flooded battery differ from other batteries is that it can off-gas hydrogen in particular battery charging conditions. Since it can off-gas hydrogen, you need to vent the battery needing to release all the accumulated fumes. On the other hand, a sealed lead-acid battery does not require any high maintenance nor not require battery venting, making its spot next to a flooded lead-acid battery and popular to solar users who don’t want to deal with battery high maintenance. However, a sealed lead-acid battery due to the inability to maintain the battery, may not perform at its maximum levels, making the flooded lead-acid battery remain the most ideal solar battery.
Flooded Lead-Acid Battery Maintenance
While the flooded lead-acid battery is the most common and economic solar battery on the market, it will only reach its expected lifespan if you know how to maintain them properly. These lead-acid batteries usually contain an electrolyte that can freely move inside the battery encasement. When it is being charged, its battery acid and lead plates usually react to store electricity. Thus, they are meant to be placed upright so that the electrolyte will not leak out of the caps on top. Also, you must check the levels monthly and topped them off with distilled water to reach their longest possible lifespan.
Is it Worth it to Buy for a Solar PV System?
Aside from its durability, performance, and depth of discharge abilities, using flooded lead-acid deep cycle batteries for your solar energy storage will save you from hefty costs. Among the other lead-acid battery, they are the most cost-effective battery with the lowest cost per amp-hour and cost per kWh cycle. With all of the mentioned advantages of a flooded lead-acid battery, it is surely worth buying for your solar PV system.

Wholesalers

Solar Products Wholesalers 

Wholesaling refers to buying some products or goods directly from its manufacturer usually at a discount and then reselling it to the retailers for a comparatively higher cost than the original. Basically, wholesalers handle products and package them in small quantities and then sell them to retail customers, either for commercial or personal use. 

Many industries have wholesalers, and that will not skip the solar industries. Nowadays, many solar wholesale stores/firms are operating across the globe, making it much easier for retailers to go solar. Sometimes retailers find it hard to reach direct manufacturers of solar products because some companies do not have their solar stores/shops in public, with that they are not also offering solar products per piece. Through wholesale solar stores/shops, these individuals can easily buy the solar products that they need to replace or maintain their solar systems. 

If you are in need of solar product suppliers for an individual purpose, you may visit some solar outsourcing marketplace to get an updated list of solar wholesalers near your location. There are many solar platforms that provide enough information and data about the solar industry in your region, including all the reliable solar wholesalers in town.

Sint-Maarten

A summary of Sint Maarten’s solar markets

In 2014, Sint Maarten’s council of ministers sanctioned the National energy policy document. This document was supposed to usher in a new era of renewable energy in the Caribbean Island country. More specifically, the policy document envisioned an 80% renewable energy capacity by 2020. Unfortunately, none of the targets outlined in the document have been achieved.

According to an Energy Transitions Initiative (ETI) report released in 2021, Sint Maarten is 100% dependent on fossil fuels. This is pretty heartbreaking, considering that solar energy exploitation has taken the world by storm. However, the report notes that several private initiatives to exploit the Island’s solar energy potential have been observed recently.

Most leading hotels and resorts in Sint Maarten are increasingly adopting solar for their daily energy needs. Such private initiatives present enormous opportunities for solar installers and other photovoltaic professionals in Sint Maarten. You can land one or more of the personal solar projects sprouting up on the Island with a bit of determination.

Solar equipment supply capacity in Sint Maarten

There are several local and overseas suppliers of solar equipment serving Sint Maarten. Most local manufacturers cannot supply equipment for large-scale projects. Nevertheless, there is no need for concern because Solarfeeds has got you covered. If you go through our website, you will see an extensive list of solar equipment suppliers.

Solarfeeds connects you to leading solar equipment brands worldwide. Essentially, you don’t have to spend your time contacting multiple suppliers to request quotes. Just go to our inquiry page and fill in a request for quotations.  

Ports and logistics in Sint Maarten

As I mentioned earlier, you may have to import specific equipment if you get a chance to work in Sint Maarten. The Island boasts of an advanced port infrastructure that facilitates the shipping of equipment from various markets. Its logistics sector is also one of the most reliable in the Caribbean Islands. Some of the ports you might want to consider using include;

• ü  The port of Philipsburg
• ü  The port of St. Maarte