In Europe, there are many pastures that lie outside the reach of mains power. In such cases, farmers have to rely on alternative solutions to provide the fence with sufficient voltage. Traditionally, farmers have often used battery energisers as a mobile solution for these pastures. These devices have proven to be a safe and reliable choice for many years. However, the alternative – solar-powered energisers – is becoming increasingly popular. The power, ease of use and reliability of these solutions mean that more and more farmers are embracing solar-powered energisers.
But which solution is actually best suited to which situation? What factors should be considered when making the right choice? To help you make a more informed choice of a suitable unit, we will take a closer look at the reliability, ease of use and financial impact of battery energisers and solar energisers.
Reliability of the unit
For mobile fences without mains power, reliability and continuity are perhaps the most important factors. Many livestock farmers have therefore been opting for 9V and 12V battery energisers for years. These battery energisers are known for their predictability: you know how long a battery will last and when it needs replacing. This makes battery energisers straightforward to use and reliable in day-to-day practice.
At the same time, solar energy has developed significantly in recent years. Whereas solar power used to be seen as dependent on direct sunlight, modern solar-powered energisers operate much more intelligently and consistently. Gallagher’s solar energisers charge their internal battery not only via sunlight, but also via daylight. As a result, the energiser continues to function even during cloudy periods or when the sun is barely visible for several days.
Furthermore, Gallagher has been developing solar-powered energisers for over 45 years. This wealth of experience is reflected in the reliability of the current generation of solar energisers. The latest lithium models, in particular, represent a major step forward in this regard. Thanks to lithium technology, the units are not only more compact and lighter, but the internal battery also lasts longer than in previous generations and many comparable solar-powered units on the market.
Gallagher’s solar-powered electric fence energisers are equipped with a smart battery management system that continuously monitors the balance between energy consumption, solar output and battery charge. When daylight levels are low, the unit automatically adjusts its energy output to ensure the fence continues to function reliably.
Ease of use
As well as reliability, ease of use also plays an important role when choosing a portable battery energiser. During the grazing season, you want to spend as little time as possible on maintenance and replacing batteries.
With battery energisers, battery life is the key consideration. A 9V battery or 12V rechargeable battery provides a stable voltage over a longer period, but always has a limited service life. How long a battery lasts depends on its capacity (Ah) and the device in which it is used. For example, a heavier device, such as a BA80, consumes more energy than a BA30.
This means that there will be one or more occasions each season when the battery needs to be replaced or recharged. With 12V rechargeable batteries in particular, this can be a physically demanding task: weighing over 20 to 25 kilograms, lifting and transporting them to a pasture is not always practical. This does not contribute to ease of use, especially with larger or remote fences.
With solar-powered energisers, the situation is different. These are designed to operate independently. Thanks to the solar panel, the internal (lithium) battery is automatically charged by daylight. In practice, the system therefore works on a ‘plug-and-play’ basis: you set up the unit, connect it, and it then does its job without you having to give it a second thought. No maintenance or battery replacement is required.
This makes a significant difference in terms of convenience, particularly for fences that remain outdoors for extended periods. You no longer need to carry spare batteries, replace them or recharge them in between uses. This saves both time and physical effort throughout the season.
Gallagher’s latest lithium models make this difference even more apparent. These units are considerably more compact and lighter than both traditional 9V and 12V solutions and earlier generations of solar energisers. By way of comparison: an S120li weighs just 3.2 kilograms, whilst a battery energiser such as the B100, including the battery, can easily weigh around 24 kilograms. This makes installation and relocation much easier in practice.
Purchase price or total cost?
When choosing a portable energiser, a battery energiser often seems the most cost-effective option due to its lower purchase price. However, running costs are the decisive factor in the longer term. Batteries need to be replaced during the season, meaning the costs recur annually and can add up.
A solar-powered energiser requires a higher upfront investment, but has no recurring costs thereafter. Depending on usage, the break-even point is often reached after just one to a few seasons.
All Gallagher electric fence energisers, both battery-powered and solar-powered, also come with a 7-year warranty, which is exceptional in the market and offers extra peace of mind in the long term.
The comparisons below show just how significant the difference in total costs can be.