PV Gap

Frances Said:

can rechargeable lithium batteries replace Ni Cad in solar light applications?

We Answered:

That isn't to easy

Don't get me wrong Lithium batteries pack a punch and yes they are definitely worth it. But also handled wrong they can be quite explosive. You require a more intelligent charger for lithium.

Ni Cad is a rather forgiving but nasty type of battery. Replacing it with something like NiMh might be suggestable over Lithium for safety reasons. Nowadays there are even Low Discharge NiMh batteries that deals with one of the biggest issues with NiMh they lose power fast.

The newer Low Discharge ones are able to keep their energy and keep their voltage higher for longer. Meaning longer functioning before the `cut of` point. So low discharge NiMh's are in my eye a decent solution.

And yes they are busy with improving lithium batteries. Mending it with polymers and the likes to make it safer. But that technology isn't out yet on the market in full force.