The four main types of batteries used in the world of solar power are lead-acid, lithium ion, nickel cadmium and flow batteries.
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Lead-acid batteries have been in use for decades and are one of the most common types of battery used in automotive and industrial applications. They have a low energy density (meaning they cannot hold much energy per kg of weight), but remain both cost-effective and reliable and thus have become a common choice for use in a home solar setup.
Lead-acid batteries come in both flooded and sealed varieties and can be classified as either shallow cycle or deep cycle depending on the intended function and safe depth of discharge (DOD). Recent technological advancements have improved the lifespan of these batteries and lead-acid continues to be a viable option for many homeowners.
The technology behind lithium-ion batteries is much newer than that of other battery types. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and offer a smaller, lighter and more efficient option. They allow the user to access more of the energy stored within the battery before needing to be recharged, making them great for use in laptops and phones&#;and in your home.
The major drawback of lithium-ion batteries is the significantly higher cost to the consumer. If improperly installed lithium-ion batteries also have the potential to catch fire due to an effect called thermal runaway.
Nickel-cadmium batteries are rarely used in residential settings and are most popular in airline and industrial applications due to their high durability and unique ability to function at extreme temperatures. Nickel-cadmium batteries also require relatively low amounts of maintenance when compared to other battery types.
Unfortunately, cadmium is a highly toxic element that, if not disposed of properly, can have a significant negative impact on our environment.
Flow batteries depend on chemical reactions. Energy is reproduced by liquid-containing electrolytes flowing between two chambers within the battery. Though flow batteries offer high efficiency, with a depth of discharge of 100%, they have a low energy density, meaning the tanks containing the electrolyte liquid must be quite large in order to store a significant amount of energy. This size makes them a costly and impractical option for most household use. Flow batteries are much better suited to larger spaces and applications.
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Find a Solar Panel InstallerHigh-capacity batteries are highly sought after nowadays, for a wide range of applications. These batteries serve the purpose of recreational batteries, electric vehicles batteries, solar batteries, and a lot of other uses.
Many years ago, you would have seen that lead-acid batteries were the only high battery capacity option available in the market.
However, the market today has changed considerably as the demand has tilted towards lithium-based batteries due to their uses.
In this regard, two types of batteries shine above the rest- Lithium-ion batteries and Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Since both are lithium-based, people often ask us about the differences between the two types.
Therefore, in this article, we will explore these batteries in detail and how they differ from each other. You will know about their performance on a wide range of parameters, getting a better understanding of which battery will be the right fit for you.
Without any delay, let us get started:
How Do the Chemistries of Lithium-ion Batteries and LiFePO4 Differ?
Lithium ion batteries and Lithium Ferrous Phosphate batteries both fall under the class of Lithium batteries. Therefore, the construction of both these batteries has a lot of similarities.
In principle, Lithium-ion batteries involve the movement of lithium ions between two electrodes in an electrolyte solution or gel.
The cathode materials are lithium-based compounds like lithium cobalt oxide or lithium manganese oxide. The anode is usually made of carbon materials, such as graphite.
Since there are many options in cathode material and the electrolyte used, many different types of lithium ion batteries are available. Some iterations use polymers instead of liquid electrolyte and are called lithium-ion polymer batteries.
A single battery cell of a lithium-ion battery typically generates a voltage of about 3.6V. To create usable electricity, three or more of these cells are used in series to create a single lithium-ion battery.
As technology progressed, new materials were tried as cathode materials in the lithium-ion battery. One of these materials is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe.
The batteries that utilise Lithium Iron Phosphate as the cathode material are called Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFePO4 or LFP batteries).
A single cell of a lithium iron battery creates a voltage between 3.2V to 3.3 V. Therefore, three or four of these cells are connected in series to create a single LFP battery.
As mentioned earlier, both lithium-ion batteries and LFP batteries fall under the class of lithium-based batteries. Therefore, there are a lot of similarities between the two types.
For one thing, both of these batteries rely on the movement of lithium ions to generate current. Additionally, both of these use graphite as the anode material.
There are fewer differences between lithium-ion batteries and LFP batteries than any instance where you compare any of these batteries with any battery that doesn&#;t use lithium.
How Do Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries and Lithium-ion Batteries Compare?
We will go through the comparison between an LFP battery and other lithium ion batteries based on the various factors that are important.
The energy density is the amount of electricity a battery can provide in relation to the mass of the battery. It is measured in Watt-hours per Kg (Wh/kg). If a battery has a higher energy density, a smaller mass of that battery can provide more electricity.
Lithium ion batteries have one of the highest energy density among any battery types. These batteries provide an energy density of about 100 Wh/kg to 265 Wh/kg.
The energy density of an LFP battery is slightly lower than a lithium-ion battery. Their energy density falls between 90-165 Wh/kg.
Verdict: Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density. This is why these batteries find applications in smaller-sized, power-hungry requirements.
Cycle life refers to the number of cycles that a battery can sustain without any drop in performance. One cycle is the process of going from one full charge to one full discharge, and then fully charging again.
A longer cycle life indicates that a battery is going to last longer, providing you with a better value for money on your investment.
Lithium-ion batteries usually provide a cycle life between 300 to 500 cycles. This roughly translates to a time period of about two to three years.
LFP batteries have a substantial cycle life of about cycles. This translates to a time period of above seven years.
Verdict: LFP batteries are leaps and bounds ahead in terms of cycle life and battery lifespan, lasting about four to five times longer than lithium-ion batteries.
Depth of Discharge refers to the percentage till which a battery can be discharged without causing any harm to the battery. If a battery gets discharged beyond the depth of discharge, it can permanently damage the battery.
A higher depth of discharge indicates a wider performance range for the battery, since you are utilising more of the stored energy.
Lithium ion batteries have a depth of discharge of between 80% to 95%. This means that you have to leave behind at least 5% to 20% charge (exact number depending on the particular battery) in the battery at any time.
Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries have an astonishing depth of discharge of an astonishing 100%. This means that you can fully drain the battery without any worry of damaging it.
Verdict: The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is the clear winner when it comes to depth of discharge. As an interesting fact, all lithium-based batteries have considerably higher DoD than lead-acid batteries, as the latter only offers a DoD of 50%.
Even when a battery is not connected to any appliance, there are internal chemical reactions happening that drain some stored charge, even if it is negligible. The self-discharge rate is the rate at which the battery loses its charge when it is not in a connected state.
Lower self-discharge rates is better for the battery, as it indicates better chemical stability and longer charge retention.
For a lithium-ion battery, the self-discharge rate is about 5% per month. This means that if a lithium-ion battery is charged, disconnected and stored, it will go from 100% to 95% after 1 month of storage.
For lithium iron phosphate, the self-discharge rate is about 3% per month. This means that after 1 month of storage, the battery will go from 100% to 97%.
Verdict: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a slightly better performance when we talk about the self-discharge rate. Again, both these batteries perform remarkably better than lead-acid batteries, which have a terrible self-discharging of about 4% per week.
The cost per KWh is the amount of money you spend for every KWh of battery capacity. Since every type of battery is available in a variety of storage sizes, comparing them on the basis of Cost per KWh is the better option for finding cost-effectiveness.
To calculate cost per KWh, you first need to calculate the KWh rating of the battery. This value is not always listed on the battery, but it can be easily calculated.
KWh= (Voltage x Ampere Hours)/
Both voltage and ampere hours are always listed on the battery you buy.
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A lithium ion battery uses cobalt as an electrode material, which leads to higher cost of the battery.
Lithium Iron Phosphate battery uses cobalt-free options like iron and phosphate, both of which are way cheaper.
Verdict: Lithium iron phosphate battery is slightly cheaper than its lithium-ion counterpart.
Weight can be a crucial factor for applications like electric motors, where weight can affect performance.
Lithium ion batteries contain compounds of lithium manganese oxide and lithium cobalt oxide, both high density materials that weigh more.
Lithium iron phosphate contains compounds of iron, which is considerably lighter than the metals used in a Lithium-ion battery.
Verdict: Lithium iron batteries weigh less than a lithium-ion battery of the same capacity, with a difference of about 50% on average.
When deciding on the battery type, it is important to ascertain if the particular type would be suitable for your required applications. Here is an application comparison of these two types of batteries:
Due to the higher energy density, lithium-ion is more suitable for applications that have limitations on the battery size. The most prominent of these applications are electronic devices such as electronic cigarettes, phones, and other small rechargeable devices.
Due to their numerous advantages and better performance, lithium iron phosphate batteries have extensive applications in electric vehicles, recreational vehicles, solar batteries, and more.
Verdict: The applications of both these batteries are quite different, so each one is the winner in its own domain. When there is a serious size limitation, lithium-ion performs better and when high performance is required, lithium iron batteries perform better.
When the weather drops below freezing point, the operational capability of most batteries decreases, and many stop functioning completely. Lithium batteries are very prone to freezing temperature and don&#;t work below a certain temperature point.
If you have been in an extremely cold region, you will notice that your smartphone stops working in extreme cold, due to the battery shutting down. All lithium-ion batteries are prone to cold weather in the same way.
Lithium iron phosphate also ceases to operate at very low temperatures. However, high-quality lithium iron phosphate batteries, such as those offered by Ecotreelithium, come with a battery management system (BMS) that can heat the battery automatically at cold temperatures.
Verdict: The BMS features of a lithium iron battery tips the scale in its favour during the cold weather operation of the battery.
The thermal stability refers to the temperature related parameters such as overheating of the battery and thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a serious concern that denotes the uncontrolled overheating of a battery, which can even cause it to explode.
Lithium-ion are notorious for their temperature behaviour as they get overheated very commonly. There have been instances of lithium manganese oxide batteries exploding in laptops. Thermal runaway is common in these batteries.
First of all, LiFePO4 batteries are 100% incombustible, so there is no chance of a lithium iron battery catching fire or exploding. There is no overheat in these batteries regardless of how you charge them. Additionally, there is zero thermal runaway.
Verdict: When you compare the thermal stability of LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion, lithium iron batteries are the major winner.
Manufacturing companies and users are driving towards environmentally safe products and processes. As such, it is important to find out which battery is more environmentally friendly.
Lithium-ion batteries are found to release a large number of toxic gases, especially at high temperatures. These batteries have a shorter life span, so you have to change them often leading to high wastes.
Lithium iron batteries have no environmental concerns since they do not release any type of toxic gases or chemicals. Additionally, these batteries have a long life span, leading to few battery changes.
Verdict: Lithium iron phosphate is one of the most environmentally-friendly batteries out there.
A longer warranty period guarantees a better return on investment since you are assured that the battery will work for at least the warranty period.
Since the entire lifespan of a lithium-ion battery is about two years, you can expect a warranty of six months to one year. For instance, you can see the common six-month warranty that you get on the batteries in smartphones.
Lithium iron phosphate typically comes with a warranty period of 5 years. The highest quality LFP batteries, such as those provided by Ecotreelithium, come with a warranty of 6 years!
Verdict: Lithium iron phosphate batteries don&#;t just sound good on paper, there is a longer warranty period to provide it. They are definitely far ahead of their lithium-ion counterparts when you compare six months vs the six-year warranty period.
LiFePO4 vs Lithium-ion: Which One to Choose?
While both of these are lithium batteries, there are significant differences in performance between the two.
LiFePO4 is the better choice in all factors that matter. With these batteries, you get better performance, better value for money, and a considerably longer lifespan.
The only factor where the lithium-ion counterpart shines brighter is when you consider the energy density. This makes them the better choice for electronic applications such as smartphones, laptops, electronic cigarettes, and any other electronic appliances.
Besides the electronics, LiFePO4 batteries are better suited for every other application. Whether it is electric vehicles, solar panels, caravans, motorhomes, or any high capacity requirement, LiFePO4 is the best investment.
Are Lithium Batteries Better Than the Non-Lithium Alternatives?
The debate between lithium iron phosphate batteries and lithium-ion batteries clearly favours the former. However, when you compare any of these two types with non-lithium batteries, lithium cells win by a huge margin.
Lead-acid batteries gained huge popularity as automotive starter batteries and UPS batteries. However, lithium batteries are taking over their market share day by day.
While lead-acid batteries are cheaper, lithium batteries can last ten times longer. Additionally, lead-acid batteries require constant maintenance such as electrolyte top-up and terminal maintenance. These things are not a requirement in lithium batteries.
For an in-depth comparison between the two types, you can read our guide on lead acid vs lithium batteries.
Gel batteries were developed as an improvement on the lead acid batteries, with a sealed construction that doesn&#;t require electrolyte top up.
However, when you compare these to lithium batteries, they still lag far behind. Firstly, a lithium battery lasts longer than gel batteries. Additionally, gel batteries require special provisions like venting in the battery compartment, which are not a requirement for a lithium battery.
There are many advantages of lithium battery when compared to gel battery. We have a detailed article about lithium vs gel batteries for detailed knowledge.
AGM batteries are one of the newest battery types and have become widely adopted in place of lead batteries and gel batteries.
However, the performance of these batteries also feels pale when you put them besides a lithium battery.
Lithium based batteries, especially LiFePO4 batteries, can last six times longer and offer a higher depth of discharge.
While lead acid battery had the advantage of being enormously cheaper, AGM batteries are expensive. Therefore, it is better to choose LiFePO4 batteries over AGM regardless of the application you consider.
Our guide on AGM vs Lithium batteries will give you a better idea of the differences between these two batteries.
Endnotes
Lithium batteries are by far the best types of batteries that one can find today. Within the lithium battery class, people have been often confused between commonly available types such as lithium-ion and lithium iron phosphate batteries.
With the help of the extensive information provided here, you can make the decision between LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion batteries very easily.
If you are in the market for a new battery, we recommend checking Ecotreelithium&#;s range of LiFePO4 batteries. These not only come with a six year warranty, but are also equipped with many other features that you won&#;t find anywhere else.
For instance, you get a battery management system that constantly regulates the charging and temperature for optimising the battery life. Not to forget, there is a six-year warranty on the battery itself. What else can one ask for!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about lithium batteries.
Yes, a Lithium iron phosphate battery is quite better than lithium-ion and a better value for money. However, for small electronic devices like smartphones, lithium-ion is the better choice.
Yes, it is possible to charge a LiFePO4 battery with a lithium-ion charger or even an AGM charger. The important thing to ensure is that the charger should have the exact voltage rating as required by the LiFePO4 battery. A lower voltage charger won&#;t charge the battery to 100%.
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