Are lithium batteries more expensive than lead-acid batteries for off-grid solar solutions?

Many think lithium batteries are more expensive than lead-acid ones for off-grid solar solutions. But is that really true? We use lithium batteries in all our solutions because of their performance, longevity, and lower cost. So let’s do the math to see why this chemistry is the most cost-effective.

Are lead-acid batteries cheaper than lithium-ion batteries?

Lead-acid batteries are often significantly cheaper than their lithium-ion counterparts. However, lithium-ion batteries are slowly becoming the industry standard across nearly every solar energy application, thanks to their depth of discharge, storage potential and efficiency. Like most products, solar battery costs vary by manufacturer.

Are solar batteries worth it?

Solar batteries are expensive, but financial incentives are available to lower the cost. Prices often depend on the battery’s storage capacity, expected life span, brand and other factors. Homeowners often find that solar batteries are worth it for energy security — even if they’re not worth it financially.

How much does a solar battery cost?

Historically, solar batteries have had a reputation for being prohibitively expensive, with many recorded instances where adding storage doubled the cost of a home solar installation. You can expect to pay between $7,000 and $18,000 for a solar battery.

How much does a marine battery cost?

You get ~20 kWh of capacity for around $5,000 with typical deep-cycle marine-grade or AGM lead-acid batteries, but say, only ~10 kWh for around $4,000 with high-quality lithium ones. But we must look beyond the nominal dollar per kWh. All batteries die. The longer you can use them, the less you pay over their lifetime.

Are lithium-based solutions cheaper than lead-acid solutions?

In summary, the total cost of ownership per usable kWh is about 2.8 times cheaper for a lithium-based solution than for a lead acid solution. We note that despite the higher facial cost of Lithium technology, the cost per stored and supplied kWh remains much lower than for Lead-Acid technology.