The need for solar batteries is becoming more popular throughout Australia, as many Australians have converted to using solar energy.
While finding the best solar battery for your home can seem overwhelming because there are so many models and brands, it is easier to choose a solar battery once you understand what features are most important..
When selecting a solar battery for your home, you should consider the size of your household, design, safety, brand, physical size, and if the battery comes with a warranty.
We reviewed 7 of the best solar batteries to help you choose.
The Short Answer
1. Tesla Powerwall 2
- Compatible with any solar inverter (AC coupled)
- Approximately 3500 life cycles
- Large-size battery with a highly usable capacity of 90 percent
- It can run in conjunction with up to 10 different Powerwall units inside a home
Tesla Powerwall is known for being the battery that set the uprising of home energy storage in motion. The Tesla Powerwall 2 was released in 2017 and has been one of Australia’s most popular solar batteries since then. The Tesla Powerwall 2 costs more than other solar batteries, usually between $18,000 and $20,000, but it is priced high for many reasons.
The pricing of the Tesla Powerwall 2 does not include solar panels, incentives, or rebates. It has an extensive storage capacity of 13.5kWh with 90 percent usable capacity and has an AC battery system. There is also an integrated inverter charger installed in any home with solar installation.
The power output of the Tesla Powerwall 2 is 5kW with continuous power and 7kW with peak power. There is a 10-year warranty for this solar battery with a 70 percent minimum retained capacity.
Another factor to note with the Tesla Powerwall 2 is that it requires an additional Tesla gateway box to enable backup power in the event of a power outage. If there is a blackout, you can expect the Tesla Powerwall 2 to hold you over for about 24 hours to help you use the essentials, such as your refrigerator, wifi, phone, and lights.
During cold weather, it will automatically preheat before sunrise to ensure maximum solar energy will be captured throughout the day.
Other Great Solar Batteries
2. Enphase AC Battery
- The continuous power rating of 1.28 kW and 3.84 kW
- 3.36 kWh and 10.08 kWh usable capacity
- It can be integrated into any existing system
- Will work alongside other battery models in a solar system
The Enphase AC battery is a reasonably priced small battery that will work best for a tiny home. The cost of the Enphase AC battery is low upfront, and the Enphase Enlighten app offers real-time, high-efficiency monitoring of your solar battery.
As one of the best solar batteries in Australia, it is a good storage unit for homeowners using solar energy and battery space. Since the battery is small, it is best used for smaller homes. Even though it is small, it is incredibly efficient and will work alongside other battery models in your solar system.
If you plan on using this solar battery for a large household, you may need multiple batteries to extend the capacity. Enphase AC batteries range between $2,000 and $3,000, which does not include installation costs.
The Enphase AC battery has a 10-year warranty that begins on the battery’s activation date.
While this battery may produce less energy on cloudy days, it is designed to still charge. During a daytime power outage, this solar battery will operate independently and utilise energy from the solar panels.
It will draw solar energy from the battery at night, allowing your home to have power still. Your home connects to the grid when the power comes back on. The Enphase AC battery is inexpensive compared to other solar batteries, is reliable, and suitable for a household of 4 or fewer.
3. LG Chem RESU
- Capable of being used off grid
- Power output of 7kW at peak and 5kW continuous
- Maximum of 4,000 life cycles
- Modular design, allowing room for additional LG Chem batteries to be added
The LG Chem RESU is a large and reliable solar battery. This is a high-capacity residential home battery. The 9.8kWh battery has a 90 percent usage capacity and can be expanded to 19.6kWh.
The life cycle has a maximum of 4,000 cycles, and there is a 10-year warranty included with this solar battery. The warranty promises that the RESU batteries will maintain at least 60 percent of their energy storage capacity after 10 years or before it has supplied 22.4 megawatt-hours of electricity.
Depending on the size, the LG Chem RESU solar battery should cost between $4,000 and $11,000, not including installation costs. At most, two LG Chem RESU batteries are recommended to be used together to work efficiently.
4. RedFlow ZCell
- Zinc Bromide flow battery
- Suitable for off-grid energy usage
- It can be installed with a new or existing solar system
- 24/7 web-based battery monitoring available
The RedFlow ZCell solar battery is one of the best solar batteries in Australia that is high-capacity. It uses Zinc Bromine liquid to run the solar system, allowing the battery to be extra durable and discharge energy at total capacity. The RedFlow ZCell is one of the most miniature solar batteries of its kind that can run at 100 percent capacity at all times.
A perk of this battery is that it can be installed on both new and existing systems, making it a great choice for all. The RedFlow ZCell allows you to monitor your battery at all times through their website. There is a standard 10-year warranty included.
You can add additional ZCells to create a larger storage capacity. The batteries are also made from easily recyclable materials and can be reused. It is available in a 13.5kWh size and will cost between $11,000 and $13,000, not including installation.
5. BYD Premium LVS
- 3,000 cycles in a lifecycle
- Modular battery, so capacity can be easily expanded
- Great for off-grid power usage
- You can monitor using the Be Connect app
The BYD Premium LVS solar battery has enough horsepower to energise your home without help from the grid. The specialty modular design of this solar battery allows you to quickly expand upon it by adding additional modules. The BYD Premium LVS can generate up to 256kWh when 16 battery stands are consolidated together parallel.
The power output of this battery is enough to supply reliable power to your home without help from the grid. The batteries come with a 10-year warranty and are available in sizes 4kWh, 8kWh, 12kWh,16 kWh, 20kWh, and 24kWh.
The BYD Premium LVS solar battery costs between $3,000 and $20,000, depending on the size, not including installation costs. You can use the Be Connect app to monitor your batters. Overall, this solar battery is an excellent choice for an off-grid power source or for those looking to rely entirely on solar energy.
6. Sonnen Hybrid 9.53
- Has a hybrid system that contains an inverter and battery storage
- Easy to expand upon modular system can add additional battery power
- Can be consolidated into an existing solar system
The Sonnen Hybrid 9.53 is one of the best solar batteries in Australia to consolidate into existing or new solar panel systems. The Sonnen Hybrid 9.53 is a hybrid system that contains a high-efficiency solar inverter and a battery system, so it can store and convert solar energy to use in a home of any size.
Since it is a modular system, you can add additional inverters if necessary. The Sonnen Hybrid 9.53 is reliable, safe, and environmentally sustainable. The battery itself does not contain cobalt, making it environmentally friendly.
There is a 10-year warranty for the Sonnen Hybrid 9.53, and you can purchase the solar battery in 2.5kWh, 5kWh, 7.5kWh, 10kWh, 12.5kWh, and 15kWh. It costs between $8,000 and $14,000, depending on the size of the battery, and the price does not include installation. The expected life of this battery is 20 years, with 10,000 cycles.
7. Huawei LUNA2000
- Lifecycle of up to 4,000 cycles
- 100 percent usable capacity
- Has a module-level monitoring system
- It contains an internal heating system to protect the battery from extreme cold
The Huawei Luna2000 stands out compared to other solar batteries. It has a smart string architecture with a built-in energy optimiser, protecting the battery from deep discharge, overcharging, or overheating. The Huawei Luna2000 has a module-level monitoring system to detect faults immediately.
This battery is safe and reliable, containing an internal heating system to protect the batter from extreme cold. The Huawei Luna2000 is priced affordably, considering its extensive range of features.
It has cell-level temperature control to help detect overheating, AI-powered internal cell short circuit diagnosis, and 0V optimiser-enabled shut down for maintenance and safe installation. The Huawei Luna2000 is compact, has a modern design, and is energy efficient.
You can purchase the solar battery in sizes 5kWh, 10kWh, and 15kWh. There is a 10-year warranty included. It costs between $3,995 and $8,790, depending on the battery size.
8. Alpha Ess
- System capacity can be easily expanded by adding additional battery packs
- It can be DC-coupled or AC -coupled
- Access to monitoring the battery using the web or their AlphaEss app
The Alpha Ess is a solar battery manufactured in China to help create energy efficiency worldwide. They manufacture three types of solar batteries, the single-phase 3kW and 5kW, and the three-phase 10kW. You can quickly expand the system capacity of your Alpha Ess battery by adding additional battery packs.
Alpha Ess also manufactures commercial batteries, apart from residential solar batteries, that are 30kW to 300kW. Their solar batteries can be either DC-coupled or AC-coupled, and you can monitor your battery using the web or their app. The Alpha Ess solar battery is covered under a 5-year warranty.
This solar battery can provide energy-efficient power to your home during a blackout due to the built-in uninterrupted power supply. The residential Alpha Ess solar batteries range in price from $8,500 to $17,500 depending on the size of the battery, not including installation costs.
Most Important Factors to Look for In Your Solar Batteries
When looking for your solar battery, there are many factors to remember regarding battery size, cycle life, warranty, efficiency, cost, and storage capacity.
Battery Size
Knowing what size solar battery you need for your home is essential. You can determine the battery you need depending on the size of your home, your electricity usage, your budget, and if you have existing solar panels.
For example, if you have a 5kW system, you will need a solar battery with a capacity of at least 10kWh.
Cycle Life
The cycle life of a solar battery refers to how many times it can go through a full charge and discharge cycle and get to a specific discharge level. All solar batteries have different life cycles depending on how deeply they are discharged.
A solar battery that is continuously discharged to 80 percent DOD throughout each cycle will only last for a short time as a battery that is discharged to 20 percent DOD. However, the battery discharged to 80 percent will give off slightly more energy at a time than a battery discharged to 20 percent.
Warranty
All solar batteries should come with a warranty. Most warranties on solar batteries are for about 10 years, but some are for less time. Over time, your solar battery will eventually lose its ability to hold a full charge the more you use it.
This is why it is essential that your solar battery has a warranty, as many manufacturers guarantee a minimum number of cycles as a part of their warranty.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar battery is essential because it will last longer. The higher the efficiency, the more energy your solar system can produce and store. Battery efficiency is responsible for how much power the battery can hold.
Cost
It is a good idea to shop around when choosing a solar battery since there are many options at all different costs. You should be able to find a solar battery within your budget.
Storage Capacity
The storage capacity is the energy your solar battery can hold simultaneously, expressed in kWh. Most solar batteries typically have a 10kWh ability.
FAQs
What is the best solar battery brand?
The best solar batteries in Australia are made by Tesla, such as the Tesla Powerwall 2. However, other quality brands include Sonnen, Enphase, Huawei, LG Chem, Alpha Ess, BYD, and RedFlow.
What is an appropriate solar battery price?
The price of your solar battery will vary depending on the size of your home. A larger home equals a more extensive solar system, which equals a larger battery. Larger batteries will cost more than smaller batteries.
Typically, solar batteries will cost between $4,960 to $12,400, depending on the battery size. However, the price can differ based on brand and can increase with a larger battery size.
What is a solar battery charger and do I need one?
A solar battery charger is any device that uses solar energy to fill up a solar battery pack so it can later recharge. The device takes power from the solar panels to charge the solar batteries.
While you don’t need a solar battery charger, it can be helpful if you live off the grid or use your solar installation intermittently throughout the year and want your solar batteries to remain in the best condition. The Renogy 30A Dual Input DC to DC MPPT On Board Battery Charger is an excellent solar battery charger for most solar batteries.
The Renogy charger uses your connected solar panels or an alternator linked to a starting battery to charge your solar battery. It is helpful to stay fully charged, especially if you live off the grid, because it can help keep your solar batteries ultimately charged for longer.
Final Thoughts
Solar batteries offer many benefits to Australians, such as reducing your carbon footprint, reducing your exposure to rising energy prices, and being an alternative power source option for emergencies. To choose the best solar battery for you, be sure to take your time, understand the specs, and understand what you need for your home.
We recommend using the Tesla Powerwall 2 for your solar battery since it is compatible with any solar inverter, has a high usable capacity at 90 percent, and has about 3,500 cycles of life.
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is a great solar battery for most homes and is reliable, safe, and energy efficient.