Introduction
Remote monitoring stations—weather, environment, oil & gas, agriculture, security—often operate far from reliable grid power. A combined solar + lithium battery system provides sustainable, efficient, and long-lasting off‑grid energy for sensors, edge controllers, and communication modules.
Why Lithium Batteries for Remote Monitoring?
Compact footprint with high Wh/kg — ideal for pole‑mount and enclosure‑limited sites.
Typically 2,000–5,000 cycles depending on DoD/C‑rate and thermal profile.
With proper design, reliable performance across -40℃ ~ 85℃.
Retains charge during low‑sunlight seasons; reduces truck‑roll maintenance.
Note: Charging below 0℃ requires dedicated low‑temperature charge strategies or self‑heating packs.
Key Design Considerations
1) Solar Panel Sizing
- Base on daily energy consumption and local solar irradiance (PSH).
- Include margin (10–30%) for seasonal variability and soiling.
2) Battery Capacity
- Size for nighttime load and autonomy days (e.g., 2–5 days).
- Prefer DoD ≤ 80% for long life; ≤ 50% for mission‑critical assets.
3) BMS & Controls
- Over/under‑voltage, over‑current, short‑circuit, temperature, and cell balancing.
- SoC‑aware MPPT/charge controller integration to protect the pack.
4) Environmental Protection
- Enclosure IP65+; conformal coating for PCBs in coastal/dusty sites.
- Thermal design for hot/cold extremes (heaters, heat spreaders, or ventilation).
System Sizing & Examples
Core Formulas
| Parameter | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Energy (Wh/day) | Load Power (W) × 24 | Adjust for duty cycle if intermittent. |
| Required Storage (Wh) | Daily Energy × Autonomy Days ÷ Usable DoD | Usable DoD: 0.5–0.8 typical for lithium. |
| Battery Ah (at system V) | Required Storage ÷ System Voltage | Round up and add 10–20% design margin. |
| PV Array (W) | Daily Energy ÷ Peak Sun Hours ÷ η | η (end‑to‑end efficiency) typically 0.7–0.8. |
Example — Mountain Weather Station
| Item | Value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Load | 80 W | Daily energy = 1,920 Wh |
| Autonomy Days | 4 days | Storage = 7,680 Wh / 0.8 DoD = 9,600 Wh |
| System Voltage | 48 V | Battery ≈ 200 Ah (add margin → 220–240 Ah) |
| Peak Sun Hours | 4.0 h | PV ≈ 1,920 ÷ (4.0 × 0.75) ≈ 640 W (add 20% → ~770 W) |
Numbers above are illustrative; site‑specific irradiance and temperature should be used for final design.
Recommended Specs (Summary)
| Category | Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | LiFePO₄ (LFP) or NMC with BMS | LFP for longevity/thermal stability; NMC for higher energy density. |
| Operating Temp. | -40℃ ~ 85℃ (system-level) | Requires pack and enclosure level thermal strategy. |
| DoD (daily) | ≤ 80% (≤ 50% for premium life) | Extends cycle life and reduces stress. |
| Enclosure | IP65+ aluminum/steel with insulation | Environmental robustness; EMI shielding. |
| Controller | MPPT with temp sensor & low‑temp charge logic | Maximize harvest; protect cells in sub‑zero charging. |
| Monitoring | SoC/SoH telemetry, alarms, logs | Remote diagnostics and preventive maintenance. |
System Block Diagram (Inline SVG)
Work with Huawen New Power
We design and manufacture lithium battery systems tailored for remote monitoring, including low‑temperature charging solutions, self‑heating packs, and integrated telemetry. Share your load profile and site conditions; our engineers will size an optimal solar + battery system for guaranteed uptime.
Contact: info@huawennewpower.com | Website: www.huawennewpower.com
