As the pandemic is subsiding, global travel, van life, and camping are back on track. People are running to exotic and unknown destinations to find some much-needed fun and peace. At this time, the market is flooded with alternative power solutions like solar power stations, diesel generators, inverters, etc. Most of the devices for power generation use lithium-ion battery chemistries like NCM and NCA. However, Bluetti is at the forefront of technological innovation and uses LiFePo4 (LFP) batteries for its solar generators.

The LFP battery is less expensive than some of the other lithium-ion chemistries, like NCA and NCM as it does not use cobalt. Moreover, it offers long cycle life, fast charging, and low toxicity. So let’s take a detailed look at the LFP battery technology used by Bluetti.

LiFePo4 Batteries

LiFePO4 is a natural mineral of the olivine family. In 1996 it was identified as a cathode material belonging to the polyanion class for use in batteries. Its anode material is LiaC6, and the cathode material is LiFePO4, with the carrier being Li+. Due to the nano-scale phosphate cathode material found in the battery, LFP batteries provide some of the best electrochemical performance with added lower resistance on the market. 

Advantages of LiFePo4 Batteries:

• Thermal stability 
• Long life cycle
• Higher current rating
• An extra layer of safety
• No maintenance
• Lightweight and portable
• Improved discharge and charge efficiency
• Low toxicity

How do LiFePo4 Batteries work?

An LFP battery is essentially made up of the following components: Positive electrode (cathode), Negative electrode (anode), Electrolyte, Separator, Lithium metal oxide (LiFePO4), Graphite, Lithium salt, and Polymer membrane Charging. 

Charging the Battery:

When a LiFePO4 battery is being charged, lithium ions are released from the cathode and move to the anode using the electrolyte.

Discharging: 

When a power load is applied to the battery, the opposite reaction takes place and Lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode.

Electricity:

This movement of the lithium ions from the cathode to anode and vice-versa creates an electron flow between these two electrodes, which generates an electric charge and powers your devices. 

Why LiFePo4 Batteries are the perfect companions for your solar generators?

• Long Life Span: The greatest advantage of an LFP battery over a lithium-ion NCM / NCA battery is its ability to charge and discharge over a thousand times. For e.g. Bluetti’s largest solar generator can discharge over 3500times. This is a significant decision-making factor as LFP technology gives you not only high-quality batteries but also long-lasting ones. 
• Highly efficient: Unlike lead-acid batteries, LFP ones are highly efficient because they can discharge over 90% of their capacity. This means you get the most out of your solar generator for as little space used as possible.
• Zero maintenance: Another big advantage of LFP technology is that it requires no active maintenance. LFP batteries require pretty much no maintenance. This means you do not need to do anything to extend its lifespan. You can simply charge and discharge as you see fit. 
• Lightweight and portable: When compared to other similar battery technologies available in the market, LiFePo4 batteries are much lighter.  This is particularly important when their application is found inside a solar generator as lesser weight means higher mobility. For e.g. Bluetti’s new AC200 MAX weighs only 61.9lbs (28.1kg). This may sound like a lot but compared to its discharge power and energy density, 61 pounds is nothing.
• High Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are the safest lithium-ion batteries on the market. These batteries are encased in an airtight aluminum case, specifically designed to withstand temperature, pressure variations, punctures, and impacts.
• Extreme Temperatures: Temperature is not something to overlook when it comes to battery performance, as it can have a profound effect on any battery. However, LiFePO4 stands the best chance during extreme temperature variations. Thus Bluetti’s solar generators are able to operate in a wide range of temperatures, which makes them desirable in different surroundings and environments. 

Why Bluetti is a better and cheaper option?

Let’s now compare Bluettis Solar generators with other manufacturers like Jackerry and Ecoflow:

*Please note that Bluetti uses LiFePO4, Jackery lithium-ion, and Ecoflow NCM. 

**We could not find a comparable capacity size for the Jackery, so we included their largest capacity generator, which is 1,534 Wh

When it comes to energy storage, one cannot simply rely on the actual buying price of the solar generator (up-front cost).  We also need to take into account the total energy in watt-hours that the solar generator can store and release (the charge/discharge cycle) during its lifetime. Thus we need to find the  LCOS or Levelized Cost Of Storage in USD/Wh.

LCOS = Upfront Cost / (total kWh capacity x (DoD %) x cycle life) 

Let’s work out the LCOS for each solar generator manufacturer and their respective product models. 

Bluetti

2 kWh x 0.9 x 3500 = 6300

$1,799 / 6300 = $0,285 per kWh

Jackery 

1.5 kWh x 0.8 x 500 = 600

$1,599 / 600 = $2.67 per kWh

Ecoflow

2 kWh x 0.8 x 800 = 1280

$1,899 / 1280 = $1.48 per kWh

As we can see when working out the LCOS, Bluetti is by far the much cheaper option over the long run, as the LiFePO4 technology lasts much longer than both lithium-ion and NCM. Please note that the above LCOS includes other components such as the charge controller and inverter, as these two components are included in the upfront purchasing price. 

Conclusion:

We now know the importance of LFP battery technology and how it has revolutionized the portable power sector. If you are looking for a high-quality, long-lasting, safe, and zero-maintenance power solution then Bluetti stands out in the market with its use of LiFePo4 batteries. Models such as the new AC200 MAX and the AC300 modular power system are capable of providing you with incredible amounts of energy storage. For more information on these innovative power, solutions check out the Bluetti official website. 

Please note that Bluetti Spring Festival 2022 is now live.  Bluetti is now giving huge discounts on almost all its products under the Bluetti Spring Sale 2022. The sale ends on 14 March 2022.

*We thank Bluetti for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running Gizmochina.

The post LiFePo4 Batteries – The Secret Behind Bluetti’s Long Lasting and Low-Cost Solar Generators appeared first on Gizmochina.

This holiday season Bluetti has brought back some of its best deals and discounts on its products. You can now get up to 30% OFF on different products and bundles only under the final Christmas and New Year Sale 2021. 

So let’s check out some of the best and interesting deals on Bluetti Power Generators.

BEST DEALS

Bluetti AC300 and B300 Portable Power Station Combo

Original Price:$3699        Discounted Price: Starts at $3199

Save up to $3400 with bundles

Known as the modular power beast combo, Bluetti AC300 and B300 external battery packs are well known in the solar power generator market. AC300 does not come with a built-in battery which makes it super lightweight and highly portable. However, every AC300 can accept up to 4 B300 battery packs which bring the total capacity to 12288Wh. Moreover, this whole bundle can be easily transferred by one person alone making it a great choice for solo campers and travelers. Note that AC300 is compatible with Bluetti Fusion Pro which doubles the voltage, power, and total capacity.  This means you get an uninterrupted power supply for days.  

• Highly portable modular solar generator
• One of the long-lasting solar generators in the market
• AC300 can be charged  with both AC and Solar simultaneously whilst being connected to dual B300 battery modules
• AC300 accepts up to 4 x B300 battery modules – Thus total capacity 12288Wh
• 2400W Unrivaled Solar Input
• 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
• 5400W Blazing Input Rate
• 240V Connection Available
• 24/7 UPS Home Backup

AC200Max and B230 Power Station Combo

Original Price:$2099       Discounted Price: Starts at $1899

Save up to $1700 with bundles

This is an upgraded version of the famous Bluetti AC200. Powered by a 2048Wh LFP battery, AC200 MAX can also take up to two external batteries including B230 and B300. This bundle is perfect for Vanlifers, campers, RV users, etc.

• All-round and upgraded version of classic AC200
• Capacity: 2048Wh for AC200MAX 
• LFP Battery with life cycle 3500+ 
• Can be quickly charged up to 80% with direct sunshine in around 2 hours
• Expandable with up to 2 battery modules
• Up to 6,144Wh with 2×B230’s, or 8,192Wh with 2×B300’s
• 2,200W pure sine wave AC inverter, Surge 4800W
• Up to 900W solar input rate and 500W adapter input, 1400W in total
• Smart App Control & monitor

Other Interesting Bundles

AC300+2*B300+3*PV200 Premium Combo:

Original Price:$7444     Discounted Price: Starts at $5699

*Coupon on the website

• 1-AC300: 3000W Power Station Module
• 2-B300: 3072Wh LFP External Battery
• 3-PV200: 200W Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel

AC200Max+3*PV200 For Off-grid Life

Original Price:$3746     Discounted Price: Starts at $2999

*Coupon on the website   

• 1-AC200MAX: 2200W, 2048Wh Expandable Solar Generator
• PV200: 200W Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel

AC200P+3*PV200 A Must-have For Glamping: 

Original Price:$3446     Discounted Price: Starts at $2779

*Coupon on the website  

• 1-AC200P: 2000W, 2000Wh Solar Generator
• 3-PV200: 200W Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel

EB70S+PV200 Ultra-Portable Combo: 

Original Price:$1148      Discounted Price: Starts at $949

*Coupon on the website  

• 1-EB70S: 800W, 716Wh Solar Generator
• 1-PV200: 200W Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel

EB55+PV200 Ultra-Portable Combo:    

Original Price:$1048      Discounted Price: Starts at $899

*Coupon on the website  

• 1-EB55: 700W, 537Wh Solar Generator
• 1-PV200: 200W Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel

BLUETTI Christmas Luck Wheel:

To add a little more cheer to your Christmas festivities, Bluetti has come up with this lucky wheel wherein this December, every purchase over $1000, will get you a chance to win either a free 6 ft. tall Christmas tree, a mini power station (EB55, AC50S, AC20 or AC10) or other gifts.  Please note that the Bluetti Christmas Sale ends on 31 December 2021. So make sure to pop in before the sale expires to avail of some great discounts and maybe even some free gifts. 

For more information on such exciting deals and offers check out our deals hub.

The post Get up to 30% OFF on Bluetti Power Station Combos at the Christmas and New Year Sale. appeared first on Gizmochina.

After the launch of the AC300 solar power inverter along with the 3000W Sine Wave inverter, Bluetti introduced two new solar panels – PV120 and PV200. These could be quite handy, in case of a power emergency as these days weather is getting extreme, and we can’t expect a 24×7 power supply in that case. A portable power solution could give greater relief. However, there are many other applications for portable solar panels along with power stations.

Must See: Bluetti introduced AC200 Max off-grid power station with B230 and B300 battery modules

Due to modular design and circuits, the users can generate electricity by connecting it with the existing setup. The flexible design offers the ability to set up the panels at any place having an ample amount of sunlight throughout the day.

Bluetti introduced SP120 solar panel in Jul 2020 and later 200-watt SP200 panel in 2021 with EP500 power station. Bluetti’s new solar panels – PV120 and PV200 can be flawlessly used along with AC300 and AC200MAX. Here’s our comparison with previous generation solar panels.

Bluetti PV120 and PV200 Specifications

Design

Bluetti’s new solar panels PV120 and PV200 are built with blue ABS material having a smaller logo. The black rubber handles enhance portability along with modular design. The PV series features a new one-piece waterproof coating design that encapsulates the solar cells, meanwhile, the SP series carried one giant raw canvas.

The new PV panels now carry a new snap fastener design which allows easy adjustment, unlike the previous SP panels. Moreover, the new PV panels are bit heavy due to advanced waterproof coating.

Efficiency

Solar panels are available in three different technologies using different materials – Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline and Amorphous. Among these Monocrystalline offers the highest efficiency among all due to the presence of a single large silicon crystal. Both Bluetti’s SP and newly launched PV solar panels use Monocrystallinewith increased efficiency of around 23-24%.

Shading Performance

Bluetti PV panels are configured with a parallel connection to reduce the voltage fluctuation if shade comes over the panel. It is a great way to enhance power production without incurring losses due to shade on some parts of the panels. The parallel connection allows all other panels to run at full potential, even if some panels are under shade.

It helps to overcome efficiency drops due to obstructions such as trees, nearby buildings, etc. Bluetti PV200 and PV120 will easily said you away from such issues.

Pricing and Availability

Bluetti PV panels are not on sale if you buy them with solar generators. The 200W PV200 is available for $549 per piece and the 120W variant for $399. However, the price reduces to $425 per piece if you grab it with AC200 + PV200 bundle. The discount is applicable only for the title 30 September. Interested folks can head over to the Bluetti Power official store to buy it before the prices come back to normal.

Related: Bluetti launches 6000W AC300 solar power station with smart assistance and 3000W SIne Wave Inverter

The post Bluetti PV120 and PV200 portable solar panels launched with 200W and 120W capacity, respectively appeared first on Gizmochina.