When selecting the battery for your system, how would the C rating affect the design?
From the little experience I have installing inverters, you never want your system to be pulling 100% @100 amps if you are using a 100 amp/hr battery, especially if you are using the system as a backup (UPS type). You would need a pile of batteries if that is the case, then 0.5 or 1 C wouldnt be a a priority.
An example: If you are using it for critical/essential loads, which generally the case in SA, the system should not not be fully loaded at any point, you want the system to support your essential loads at any point of the day or night with at least 6 hours of support, preferably longer, but they budget would determine the support period. The longest life cycle would be the better option, not the higher C rating.
Another example would be a small workshop. A battery which can handle the full discharge capacity for short bursts would be a good option, because you might be running small machine with motors which start up. You are looking for a system to keep the workshop flow.
It all seems to keep going back to one thing, design for the application. The solar and inverter audits fails seem to point at bad design. Understanding and designing the system around the customers application seems to be the missing link.
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