In partnership with
Granola Runs Revenue On Attio
"When I think of revenue, I think of Attio." - Shreman Shrestha, Head of Business at Granola
Here's what that adds up to:
Zero missed leads and 10x faster access to customer context
Lead triage 83% faster
Five hours saved per week with automated updates
AS 4086 AS/NZS 5139
The Chemistry Determines Everything
For off-grid and hybrid solar storage in Australia, the choice is now largely between Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) and lead-acid variants (flooded, AGM, or Gel). Understanding the engineering differences helps specify the right technology for the application.
Parameter | LiFePO4 | Flooded Lead-Acid | AGM Lead-Acid |
|---|---|---|---|
Nominal voltage (12V module) | 12.8 V | 12.0 V | 12.0 V |
Usable DoD | 80–90% | 50% | 50–60% |
Cycle life at rated DoD | 3,000–6,000 cycles | 300–700 cycles | 500–800 cycles |
Specific energy (Wh/kg) | 90–120 | 30–50 | 35–55 |
Charge efficiency (round-trip) | 95–98% | 80–85% | 85–90% |
Self-discharge per month | 1–3% | 5–15% | 3–8% |
Temperature sensitivity | Moderate — good to -20°C | High — significant capacity loss below 10°C | High — poor below 0°C |
Safety | Excellent — LiFePO4 is the safest Li chemistry; no thermal runaway at normal conditions | Hydrogen gas during charging — explosion risk if ventilation fails | Low gas emission — sealed, but vents under overcharge |
Upfront cost (per kWh) | AUD $500–800/kWh | AUD $150–250/kWh | AUD $200–350/kWh |
Lifecycle cost (per kWh stored) | $0.09–0.20 | $0.25–0.60 | $0.20–0.45 |
When Lead-Acid Still Makes Sense
Despite LiFePO4's superior performance, lead-acid batteries remain appropriate in specific scenarios:
Very low-use systems (seasonal holiday homes, remote monitoring) where low self-discharge is less critical
Budget-constrained projects where a shorter battery life is acceptable
High-temperature environments (>45°C) where lithium BMS protection may limit capacity — some AGM batteries tolerate heat better
Replacement in existing off-grid systems designed around 12V or 24V lead-acid banks where a full redesign is not feasible
Engr. Jason Morales — Founder, SolarEnergyPH
