In the lithium-ion battery family, the most common are NMC nickel magnesium and cobalt and LFP lithium iron phosphate or LiFePO4. With both batteries being in the same lithium-ion family, there are a lot of similarities and a few differences between the two.
If you’re reading this, odds are you’ve been doing a lot of research on solar power, and are deciding which solutions best fit your needs. Read more to learn about the differences between NMC and LFP batteries.
NMC Batteries
The cathode inside these particular batteries is made up of nickel, magnesium, and cobalt. NMC energy storage has been used in all sorts of rechargeable devices such as smartphones, remote-control vehicles, and laptops. Currently, they are ranking in first place with storing solar energy gathered by panels.
A few of the companies that manufacture NMC storage lithium-ions are Tesla Powerwall, LG Prime, and Generac PWRCell. Generac, being the oldest of the group, has made it easier for installers and homeowners alike. BD Electrical & Solar Services is one of the licensed installers of Generac backup energy systems along with SolarEdge batteries. SolareEdge is another NMC solar energy storage unit that has great reviews and a reputation. The NMC SolarEdge power units have been in the electric vehicle industry for a substantial amount of time.
LFP Batteries
Lithium Iron Phosphate cathodes are newer to the lithium-ion arena. The shortened name of LFP comes from its chemical formula LiFePO4. With cobalt being a rare element that occurs only .004 percent on the crust of the earth, engineers found an easier way to make lithium-ion-based batteries. Phosphates and iron are more abundant in a natural setting. Even though they are considered nonrenewable, there are more of them, and synthesis is easier than cobalt.
Enphase IQ 10 LFP batteries can store up to 10.08 kWh. That’s approximately 400 25watt lightbulbs being turned on at the same time and they can last about an hour. The average household goes through 28.9 kWh per day, coupled with solar energy and there’s an endless amount of energy and even more stored in the Enphase IQ 10. Alongside Generac and SolarEdge, BD Electrical & Solar Services specialize in Enphase backup power storage.
Compare The Two
Now that there is a little background difference between LFP and NMC batteries, which would be best for your needs? You’ve done your extensive tiring research and came up with the same question. Here is a table to help simplify all the facts.
According to the chart, it seems that LFP Lithium-ion batteries are a great investment for your solar energy storage. There are still great reasons why NMC would work just as well. NMC batteries are more expensive at first, but over time and degradation, they are less expensive for maintenance and replacement. Certain LFP companies are finding it harder to keep the batteries in stock but if you’re looking to get a backup system installed as soon as possible, NMC is still a great choice.
The safety topic is something to consider as well. LFP batteries can withstand higher temperatures than NMC. LFP can also safely accommodate more electricity being drawn than NMC batteries. This stress can cause a risk of combustion, resulting in an uncontrolled fire.
Conclusion
Just because there are a lot of prevalent downsides to NMC batteries doesn’t mean you should run from them. Their performance, at optimal conditions, is equal to LFP batteries. With an experienced installer that can take precautions and educate homeowners, NMC batteries are still a great product.
SolarEdge experts do say that at the end of the day, the differences between the two batteries are so minuscule that the main focus and question should be “which manufacturer has the skills, experience and background to help me make the switch to solar power?”
If you still have questions regarding the differences and what would suit you best for your home and budget, contact BD Electrical & Solar Services. Having a solar panel system set up, and no way to store that excess energy, then it’s a waste and you could be benefitting from it financially and comfortably. BD Electrical & Solar Services has been serving the Massachusetts area for more than 15 years. Their certified electricians have been on the job for a lot longer. You want a trusted installer, with experience, and someone that will answer all your questions every step of the way; BD Electrical & Solar Services is just a phone call away.
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