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The 5 stages of finance grief
Denial that manual reconciliation is acceptable
Anger over the lack of spend visibility
Bargaining with colleagues to submit expense receipts
Depression for the late nights closing the books
Accepting Ramp to skip the first 4
AS 4086.2
Recognising End-of-Life
A battery does not fail catastrophically at the end of its useful life — it gradually loses capacity until it can no longer meet the system's autonomy requirements. Knowing the signs of end-of-life allows planned replacement before the system fails unexpectedly during an extended cloudy period.
End-of-Life Indicators
Measured capacity below 60–70% of rated: The battery simply cannot store enough energy to meet the design autonomy
Generator running significantly more than the design frequency: The battery is being depleted faster than the solar can replenish it
System performing poorly on days that should provide adequate solar: High self-discharge or internal short circuits in individual cells
Cells reaching endpoint voltage very quickly under load: Indicates severe sulphation or plate degradation
BMS reporting multiple cell alarms: Individual cell failures in a lithium pack
Replacement Planning Timeline
Battery Type | Expected Life | Start Planning | Replace By |
|---|---|---|---|
Flooded lead-acid (well maintained) | 5–8 years | Year 4 | Year 6–8 |
AGM / VRLA | 4–6 years | Year 3 | Year 5–6 |
LiFePO4 (quality brand) | 10–15 years | Year 8–10 | When SoH falls below 70% |
Environmental Disposal Requirements
Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid and lead — both hazardous substances. Under Australian state environmental legislation, lead-acid batteries cannot be disposed of in general waste. They must be returned to:
Battery retailers participating in the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) B-cycle scheme
Licensed hazardous waste recyclers
Council-run hazardous waste collection events
Lithium batteries must also be disposed of through approved channels — not general waste. The BSC B-cycle scheme is being expanded to include lithium batteries. Never crush, puncture, or incinerate any battery type.
Engr. Jason Morales — Founder, SolarEnergyPH
