Batteries in PV systems

Abstract

This report presents fundamentals of battery technology and charge control strategies commonly used in stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) Systems,with an introduction on the PV Systems itself. This project is a compilation of information from several sources, including research reports and data from component manufacturers. Comparisons are given for various battery technologies, and considerations for battery subsystem design, auxiliary systems, maintenance and safety are discussed. Daily operational profiles are presented for different types of battery charge controllers, providing an in-depth look at how these controllers regulate and limit battery overcharge in PV systems. Most importantly, considerations for properly selecting batteries and matching of the charge controller characteristics are presented.