We all have a part to play in the circular economy

Acrospire and our solar partner, Green Frog Systems, are both forward-looking, environmentally-friendly businesses committed to developing technology and processes that safeguard the environment, mitigate climate change, and protect biodiversity.

Each year, a staggering 20,000 tonnes of battery waste ends up in landfills. We’re proud not to contribute to this figure, offering all of our customers a convenient ‘back-to-base’ battery return and recycling scheme for all batteries sold within our solar-powered street lights and energy storage systems. Simply return your old batteries to Acrospire, and we’ll take care of the rest, ensuring they are recycled responsibly.

Rest assured, all of our meet the requirements of WEEE legislation, facilitated through our Lumicom registration (WEE/AH5607UY).

Join our mission to create a cleaner, greener future.

Are LiFePO4 batteries sustainable?

Batteries are the key to humanity’s future – not just for solar but also for EV. However, when discussing the sustainability and efficiency of a solar lighting solution there are notable differences between the different types of batteries available.

The two post popular are Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) and traditional lead-acid batteries. Understanding the distinctions and their environmental impacts and operational efficiencies is crucial for making informed, practical decisions.

LiFePO4 batteries (used by big brands such as Tesla) are renowned for their longevity, typically offering a lifespan of seven to 10 years.

This is a substantial improvement over traditional lead-acid batteries, which often have shorter operational lives of around two to four years. The extended lifespan of LiFePO4 batteries affects not only the cost effectiveness but also significantly reduces their environmental footprint by lowering the frequency of battery replacements​.

Efficiency is another critical factor where LiFePO4 batteries excel. These batteries demonstrate approximately 98% efficiency, ensuring that a majority of the stored energy is usable.

This contrasts sharply with the 80% efficiency typically seen in lead-acid batteries.

The environmental credentials of LiFePO4 batteries further strengthen their use case. LiFePO4 batteries are non-toxic, non-contaminating and contain no rare earth metals, making them an environmentally conscious choice.

Constructed from non-toxic materials, these batteries pose less risk to the environment compared to lead-acid batteries, which contain hazardous substances like lead and sulfuric acid. The longer life and higher efficiency of LiFePO4 batteries mean reduced resource consumption and waste, aligning with the goals of sustainable energy applications​.

Recycling LiFePO4 batteries enables the recovery of valuable materials, such as lithium, iron, and phosphorus, which can be reused in the production of new batteries. This not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the demand for mining and extraction of raw materials.

End-of-life batteries as a resource, not a waste

Yes. This service is totally free for our clients nationally, and applies to any of our Solar Energy Storage, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LifePO4) sealed unit batteries.

No, this us currently a 'back-to-base' service.

No. You are welcome to return as many batteries as you want, as long as they have been purchased from us.

LiFePO4 batteries (used by big brands such as Tesla) are renowned for their longevity, typically offering a lifespan of seven to 10 years.

The batteries are collected by one of our specialist recycling partners, sorted and returned to recycling plants that extract reusable materials for re-cycling.

solar batteries

If it's not clear in the technical data, ask the manufacturer what batteries they use, and how they can be recycled

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