High Voltage or Low Voltage: Which Battery Storage System is Better?

High voltage and low voltage lithium battery systems are both popular choices for Solar PV systems. But which one is the best choice for your needs? In this article, we will compare and contrast High Voltage (HV) and Low Voltage (LV) lithium battery systems, so you can decide which one is right for you.

High Voltage Battery

The high voltage battery systems are usually rated at more than 100V. These powerful batteries can charge and discharge faster than low-voltage ones, making them ideal for covering those quick demand surges from starting equipment that might not be able to stay running without power immediately. The increased volts also mean smaller conductors.

High-voltage battery systems are a more recent development in the world of home solar battery backup. These higher voltage models can provide increased energy output to support heavier loads, making them perfect for homes with electricity consumption rates that exceed what is typically seen at lower voltages

Commissioning a home battery backup with an high-voltage battery not only increases efficiency but also saves energy. The DC bus voltage normally varies between 300 volts and 500 V, so when you choose this option your inverter has less work to do. When you choose a low-voltage home battery backup, the inverter needs to work harder and reduce an input voltage of 300 -500V below 100 V. This results in less energy efficiency for your home or business’s power requirements.

High voltage battery systems are perfect for properties with commercial energy storage demands and home battery backup use. They offer a number of advantages over other types of batteries, including longer life and higher discharge rate. In addition, high voltage battery systems are less likely to overheat, making them safer to use. With their many benefits, it’s no wonder that high voltage home battery backup are becoming increasingly popular.

Low-Voltage Battery

Low-voltage battery in home battery backup is typically less than 100V. Multiple battery modules are linked together in parallel (if the rated voltage is compatible with the inverter) or series (to increase the voltage).

For example, Two 24V batteries in a series would result in a battery system voltage of 48V. Low voltage systems have higher amperage than high voltage battery systems.

This means that the conductors connecting your batteries to the inverter must be larger (thicker). These systems tend to be a little safer to work with due to the lower voltage and are much easier to scale. Typical battery inverters that are rated at 48V tend to handle large battery banks as well.

These low voltage systems tend to have trouble covering those quick, startup loads. A lot of the time, the battery system will need assistance from the grid or solar to supply enough instant power to the device that is trying to start (for example, a good pump). This is one of the major drawbacks to low voltage battery systems and is constantly being designed around. Low voltage systems are much easier to install and upgrade. They tend to have smaller physical individual units to allow for custom sizing.