1. What is Solar Battery Runtime?

Solar battery runtime refers to how long a battery can power a specific load before needing to be recharged. It's a crucial factor in designing solar power systems and determining battery requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic power equation:

Where:

• Ah — Amp-hour rating of the battery
• V — Voltage of the battery system
• W — Power consumption of the load

Explanation: The equation calculates how long a battery can sustain a given power load by converting amp-hours to watt-hours and dividing by the load's power consumption.

3. Importance of Runtime Calculation

Details: Accurate runtime estimation helps in sizing solar battery banks appropriately, ensuring uninterrupted power supply during periods without sunlight, and optimizing system costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the battery's amp-hour rating, system voltage, and the power consumption of your load in watts. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this account for battery efficiency?
A: No, this is a theoretical maximum. Real-world runtime will be shorter due to efficiency losses (typically 10-20% for lead-acid, 5-10% for lithium).

Q2: What's a good runtime for solar systems?
A: Typically 1-3 days of autonomy is recommended, depending on location and criticality of the load.

Q3: Should I discharge my battery completely?
A: No, most batteries have recommended depth of discharge (DoD) - typically 50% for lead-acid, 80-90% for lithium.

Q4: How does temperature affect runtime?
A: Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity, while high temperatures can reduce battery lifespan.

Q5: Can I use this for battery banks?
A: Yes, use the total Ah of your bank (Ah per battery × number of parallel batteries) and system voltage.