Greg--I've attached a link to East Penn Manufacturing (aka Deka or MK
Batteries) recycling brochure. They have the largest battery plant in the world
and recycle 200 million pounds of lead and 11 million pounds of plastic a year
in their battery production. We live near them and we're in an area littered
with superfund sites, but their commitment to the environment is impressive.
Maybe cuz they're privately held. I don't work for them or benefit financially
from them.
http://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Recycling-Brochure-0103.pdf
That said, Aquion is producing a battery without using lead. The price tag is
much higher and the batteries come with only a two-year warranty. I haven't
seen anything on their site as to how one could tell if a battery is
underperforming. Our systems are almost always grid-tie with battery backup, so
reduced maintenance and long shelf life are the drivers--agm or gel.
With their ability to function with a partial state of charge, Aquions would do
well in a distributed generation scenario and provide great support for
frequency and load managing. Imagine the net metering possibilities.
Bill Hennessy
Berks Solar, LLC
371 Centennial Rd
Mertztown, PA 19539
o 610 682 4300
c 484 560 4666
NABCEP certified installer
PA contractor #44411
www.berkssolar.com
From: Greg <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 1:56 PM
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Aquion batteries - batteries in general
Marco and all wrenches,
Thanks for the cost /benefit comparison on batteries. We need batteries
that won't freeze easily. Even if the cost was the same we'd need to
know more about the Aquions before we could risk installing them in the
North.
I need a fact check from someone on Lead Acids: Years ago I'd heard
that lead acid batts sold in the US were built from 90+% recycled
materials. Supposedly there was somewhere in California that put them
in a big mixer and busted them up. Plastic floated to the top and was
recycled, lead went to the bottom, also recycled. Electrolyte was also
at least partially recycled. If this is true it would make the lead
acids relatively benign since no new smelting would be needed. Any
recent info/links on lead acid battery recycling in the US would be
greatly appreciated
I like lead acids. There's a little booklet from New England Solar
Electric called "BATTERY BOOK FOR YOUR PV HOME" that I give away with
each set of batteries we sell. It doesn't completely cure premature
battery death from neglect but I think it helps a lot. They're
inexpensive and if you buy them by the dozen they'll cut you a deal on
them.
Keep using your super powers for good!
Greg Egan
Remote Power Inc.
NABCEP Solar Installation Professional
Alaska #00106064 Journeyman Electrician
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