Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of batteries does Tier 1 use?

We use Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are safe and are well suited for a wide range of operating temperatures. The long-term stability they provide makes them the reliable choice for all of our powering options. We’re battery agnostic, meaning that when a new-to-market technology can outcompete LiFePO4 batteries, we’ll quickly move to adopt them into our offerings.

Aren’t batteries bad for the environment?

Short answer: No. As disposable batteries corrode, their chemicals can be absorbed by the soil and contaminate surface water and groundwater. These chemicals have horrible impacts on the ecology of the contamination zones.

Our batteries stand apart because they are not disposable. The use of high capacity, reusable batteries can enable communities to move towards a net zero carbon world. Our batteries are designed to last for 10,000 cycles, meaning that even when a battery nears the end of its lifetime decades later, there are environmentally responsible ways to dispose of them (such as recycling).

Are your batteries UL Certified?

Yes. Tier 1 only uses UL certified batteries. A UL certificate protects consumers by ensuring that the manufacturer is capable of producing high quality, safe batteries. We believe that if you’re going to do something, you should do it right. That’s why our engineers are present during the manufacturing process.

How many hours will your batteries power my device?

Click here for the Pioneer charging comparison table to look at common device powering times.

Each device you charge has its own power draw, which impacts the total number of cycles you can get on one charge. To determine the total powering time, divide the battery’s total watt hours by the watt needs of the device.

For example, we’ll take a laptop that consumes 60 watts of power. The Pioneer 2200 has a 2,200 watt hour capacity. Dividing 2,200Wh by 60W gives us 36.6 hours of runtime.

What solar panels do you use?

Portable Solar Panels: we use Sunpower flexible solar cells for their long lifespan and their reputation for being the most efficient, flexible panel available.
Fixed Solar Panels: we use high efficiency Busbar solar cells for their impressive performance in cloudy, lowlight conditions.
Solar Roof Tiles: we use a Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) for our roof tiles because of their low weight, high strength, UV resistance, fire resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Are solar panels actually good for the environment?

Some solar panels are bad for the environment. Thin film solar panels pose an environmental risk due to the manufacturing process requiring use of toxic chemicals. Degradation in landfills can lead to the leaching of the toxic compounds. Our choice in technology and materials helps to avoid toxic chemicals in our products.

The upside of using solar panels is huge, regardless of manufacturing or disposal impact. Greater implementation of clean solar energy helps us away from fossil fuels.

Any negative impacts from solar panel disposal can be completely negated by recycling. At Tier 1, we have a duty to leave the earth better than we found it. That’s why we have a 100% recycling policy. When any panel we sell reaches its end of life, we will accept the return of the product so that we can recycle it responsibly. Our pledge doesn’t stop there: if you don’t want to ship the products back, our support team will work with you to find a responsible, local recycling solution.

What is the lifetime of your solar panels?

We believe that things should be built to last. That’s why we only sell solutions with long, dependable lifespans. Our panels are rated for 25 years, backed by our 25 year warranty.

Still have questions?

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