On December 15, 2020, India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued revised specifications to set minimum performance parameters batteries including Lithium batteries for Solar Street Lights and Solar Study Lamps being produced under ‘Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme’. The existing specification required the use of Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) batteries, and stakeholders commented that the specification should include other types of lithium batteries. Therefore, in place of the specification for LFP batteries, the MNRE has established parameters for the minimum performance of batteries used in these products.
These lithium-based batteries must meet the following criteria.
Parameter | Qualifying condition |
Specific Energy | Minimum 120 Wh/kg |
C Rate (Charging) | Minimum C/4 |
C Rate (Discharging) | Up to 1C |
Charge Discharge Cycles | Minimum 2000 cycles at C/10 rate at 25℃ |
Thermal Runaway | Minimum 120℃ |
Depth of discharge | Minimum 85% at 25℃ |
Temperature of operation | 10 to 50℃ (with thermal management system for ambient temperature lower and higher than the given range) |
The office memorandum can be downloaded from the following URL.
https://mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/file_f-1608137289937.pdf