Solar panels convert sun’s light energy to electricity. However, this electrical power needs to be stored in electrochemical batteries for use during night. These batteries have to undergo discharge right through the night, for which reason they require deep discharge ability. Since, solar panels are mostly used in remote areas, the batteries they are connected to, should be maintenance free.

Due to the ability of deep cycle batteries to provide power for long periods without continuous charging, they are fast becoming popular and are increasingly being used in aircrafts, railway trains and even automobiles, like, campers and recreational vehicles. However, deep cycle batteries, particularly VRLA deep cycle batteries are expensive. Hopefully, their cost of production will come down in near future. Even at high costs, the advantages such batteries offer, enables them to find wide applications in indoor locations, remote locations and on such equipment where electrolyte spillage and acid fume emissions are not acceptable, such as, hospitals, motorized wheelchairs and children’s toys. Deep cycle VRLA batteries have additional advantage of low self discharge rate. This ability is enabling them to find use as automobile batteries. For instance, if a car which uses such batteries is locked up in garage for a month or more, when the family has gone on a vacation, will be able self start, when put to use again. This may not be possible if the car is equipped with only ordinary batteries.