There are different types of solar batteries, manufactured to meet certain technical requirements in terms of number of discharge cycles, service life, storage capacity and performance. We are going to see and analyze which is the most suitable type of battery according to the solar installation we want to install. It is necessary to make clear that the solar Batteries have nothing to do with the starting batteries like those of car, since the solar Batteries are designed for continuous deep discharges without affecting their performance, on the other hand the starting batteries are used for a discharge peak of 10 – 30 seconds so that the engine starts and then they are maintained in load with the alternator of the vehicle.
Monoblock solar batteries: These are the most economical model and are used in low power installations with simple electrical devices that do not use a motor. These devices are the television, music or DVD player, light bulbs or spotlights, etc. 
However, these solar batteries are not recommended for complex devices with motors because they do not support the high starting peaks produced by these equipments. It is advisable not to discharge this type of batteries more than 50-60% since the very deep discharges in this model of batteries are going to damage prematurely the same one. It is also not advisable to install consuming of motor to this model of battery, we would be speaking about the washing machine, the water pump, a drill, radial etc. The average life of a solar monoblock is 3-4 years, nevertheless, if it is used with apparatuses with motor its useful life will be damaged reducing it only to 1 year. For this reason we recommend not to use them in these specific cases. 
Inside flat plate monoblock batteries we can highlight the reinforced plate batteries which are much more reliable than the normal ones. This type of solar batteries also called Semi-traction batteries allow a deeper discharge than the normal “truck type” batteries and provide us with a higher number of useful life cycles and an excellent value for money. The useful life of this battery can double to the monoblock batteries of “Truck Type”.
Monoblock solar batteries are open acid batteries, so they need periodic maintenance every 6 months approximately. There are also Gel and Agm monoblock solar batteries, which do not require maintenance.
The next type of batteries are the stationary models, of which there are different types such as OPZS, TOPZS, CELSOL and OPZV batteries. CELSOL and OPZV. These batteries are made up of independent vessels of 2V each one, with charge capacities that can reach up to 4500Ah although the most used are from 300Ah up to 1500Ah. The cells are connected together by means of connectors and form 12V, 24V or 48 Volt systems. Stationary cells use a technology ideal for deep discharges, and this is due to the construction of lead plates that form the elements.
These SOLAR BATTERIES use Tubular Positive Plate, which are thicker than flat plates and allow a deeper discharge and less wear of active material.
OPZS: The OPzS model is the most used for large installations. Its transparent container
allows us to see the interior of the battery and its water reserve in the upper part of the element allows a water reserve superior to that of other models with which the maintenance of this battery will be once a year approximately. In the graph we can see that the useful life of this type of elements is of 1500 cycles with discharges of 60%, or of 2500 cycles with discharges of 40%, because the more light are the daily discharges more useful life will have our battery.
OPZV: The OPZV model has the advantages of an OPZS battery and also has the
gelidified ectrolyte which makes it a completely sealed and maintenance free stationary battery. This allows
to be placed in any position either vertically or horizontally. This type of batteries are ideal for sites where it is necessary a maintenance free battery with difficult accessibility or spaces with movement, ships, railroad boats etc.. The cost of this model of battery is higher than the Opzs for that reason its rotation in isolated solar installations is smaller.
TOPZS: On battery models TOPZS or UOPZS, which are batteries such as OP
ZS but manufactured in a more economical translucent package and on an automatic assembly line, thus reducing manufacturing costs. The useful life of the TOPZS is somewhat shorter than the OPZS or OPZV but its more affordable price
makes this model a very profitable battery for isolated installations with daily or occasional use. As the previous ones, it allows deep discharges with a more than acceptable useful life.
EPZS: The EPZS battery model is perhaps the least known for solar applications but its value for money is more than guaranteed. It is the same battery that is used in electric forklift trucks, the 
which allow to move very heavy machines during long working days. The construction of this solar battery is very similar to the one used in the to the previous Opzs and Topzs with the difference that the container of these elements, is of black polypropylene and we cannot see the interior of the battery. The construction of this battery with tubular positive plate and a greater density of electrolyte allows a deep discharge with a useful life of up to 2000 cycles with discharges of 70% In this type of element it is necessary to be more pending of the maintenance of the water, due to the fact that the water reserve chamber that is in the superior part of the battery is smaller, for that reason it is advisable to look at the levels once a month.
Do not hesitate to contact us to ask for information about the battery that best suits your needs. The profitability of a solar battery, is not only the model of battery that we choose, because it is very important to have well studied the sizing of the accumulator. The ideal will be to acquire a battery that provides at least 2 days the supply of the house without being charged, so that it can work at least to 50% of its capacity, In this way we are going to prolong the useful life of the battery.
