Lithium or tubular battery for solar: which is better?
Quick answer
Lithium batteries cost more at the start, but they last many more years, need no water or care, charge faster and let you use more of their power. Tubular (lead-acid) batteries are cheaper to buy but wear out sooner. For most solar homes, lithium is the better long-term choice.
The main differences
| Lithium | Tubular (lead-acid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at start | Higher | Lower |
| Life | Many more years | Wears out sooner |
| Maintenance | None | Needs water top-up and care |
| Usable power | Most of its capacity | About half, to protect the battery |
| Charging speed | Fast | Slow |
| Weight and space | Light, compact | Heavy, needs more space |
Why lithium usually costs less in the long run
A tubular battery may need replacing a few times during the life of one lithium battery. When you add up the replacements, the water and the lower usable power, lithium often works out cheaper over the years.
What do 12V, 24V and 51V mean?
This is the battery voltage. It must match your inverter. A 12V inverter needs a 12V battery, a 24V inverter needs a 24V battery, and a 48V inverter uses a 51V lithium battery (51V is the normal voltage of a 48V lithium battery). Bigger home systems usually use 51V batteries.
Which lithium batteries do you have?
We keep lithium batteries from Knox, Itel and Photon (we are an official dealer of all three), plus Pylontech, Fronus, Sofar and other brands. See all batteries.
Want advice for your home?
Send your electricity bill on WhatsApp and we will suggest the right system.