Part 2) Compare the components of batteries Once you’ve picked the best battery type for your solar panel or off-grid system (that meets your system’s needs), there are components to explore to find the ideal battery for your system. Cost Cost is probably one of the more obvious components. But the old saying, “you get what you pay for” holds true when buying batteries as well. In some instances though, certain batteries may be overkill for your system so the most expensive battery may not be the best choice always. Battery Life and Warranty For most systems, a battery will cycle daily, meaning it will charge and drain regularly. With each cycle, the battery’s ability to hold the same charge lessens slightly. So, one component to consider is the warranty on the battery that guarantees a certain number of cycles of useful life. Depth of Discharge Depth of discharge is how much you can drain the battery down before needing to recharge the battery without harming its life. Certain solar batteries can be depleted further than others, allowing for more use between charging. Essentially, a battery with a 90% depth of discharge per cycle will provide more battery power per charge than a battery with less. View our Free Presentation to learn how to bring old batteries back to life again