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Batteries

Quoting from a friend:

"Batteries are always a problem. Get flooded lead-acid and have problems from adding contaminated water or not adding water at all. Get sealed lead acid and a faulty (or misadjusted) charge controller tends to ruin them prematurely. Try anything else and you will end up paying through the nose. Ni-cads are probably the best given the kind of abuse they are subjected to in remote solar applications.

"Based on our experience with battery systems, users should be prepared to replace batteries in 1-3 years, which is a killer. Oversizing them initially does not help because insufficient charging from PV will accelerate aging even more, recycling is a major problem if more economical starting batteries (automotive) are used. If batteries are operated daily to their low voltage limit, they are being ruined by chronic undercharging. Giving batteries an overcharge once a week or two can extend the life many months. It takes someone to baby-sit them during that process, because they need to make sure there is enough water before and after. It may take up to 3 days of charging depending on solar power."

Well, that having been said, we are looking for exotic but inexpensive batteries with built-in controls, or other forms of energy storage such as flywheels. Suggestions are appreciated.

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