EnergyPal

Buyer's Guide 2024

Best Home Battery Systems

EnergyPal offers the best home battery storage and backup systems by power, cost & ratings. Our 2024 Buyers Guide reviews Enphase Encharge, Tesla Powerwall, SunPower Equinox, LG Chem and other home energy storage solutions.

What is the Best Battery for Solar Storage?

Home batteries used for solar storage and blackout backup power are proven additions to home solar panel systems. Generally the battery packs are used to store up low-cost electricity generated from solar panels and from the grid during off-peak hours. Then during high-cost peak utility rate hours or during a blackout the battery packs supply the stored electricity to power your home.

The 4 Best Solar Batteries March 2024

Tesla

Powerwall 2

9.3

Battery

Capacity

13.5 kWh

Warranty

10 Years

Best Seller

Enphase

IQ Battery 10

9.1

Battery

Capacity

10.1 kWh

Warranty

10 Years

Best Seller

SunPower

SunVault

9.0

Battery

Capacity

13 KwH

Warranty

10 Years

FranklinWH

aPower

8.8

Battery

Capacity

13.6 kWh

Warranty

12 Years

Solar BatteryCapacityWarrantyTypeMonitoring
Tesla Powerwall13.5 kWh10 yearsLithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (LNMC)Yes (Tesla app)
Enphase IQ Battery10.08 kWh15 yearsLithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)Yes (Enphase Enlighten)
SunPower SunVault13 kWh10 yearsLithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)Yes (Energy link ecosystem)
FranklinWH13.6 kWh12 yearsLithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)Yes (Web portal & mobile app)

Homeowners with solar plus batteries:

  • Feel more secure and independent
  • Avoid blackouts & power disruptions
  • Pay less to their utility company
  • Get greater tax rebates & incentives

Choosing the best battery packs for solar storage will depend on your location, size of your solar system, and home energy needs.

The top battery packs known by their brand names, SunPower Equinox, Tesla Powerwall, LG Chem, etc, all use Lithium-Ion battery cell technologies. They are differentiated by their battery cell manufacturers, brand marketing, software to manage the power cycles, pricing strategy and certified installers. The most popular and proven manufacturers of the internal battery cells are Sonnen, Panasonic and LG according to the chart below:

Battery "Pack" BrandsBattery Cell Manufacturer
SunPower Equinox
sonnenBatterie
LG Chem
Sonnen
Tesla PowerWall
Generac PWRcell
Panasonic EverVolt
Panasonic
LG

The best battery solution for your home will depend on several factors:

What is your annual and daily home power consumption?

Understanding your home's power consumption is crucial. Calculate or review your energy bills to determine your daily and annual power usage. This will help in sizing the battery system correctly.

Example: Your electricity bills show that your home uses an average of 30 kWh per day. Annually, this adds up to around 10,950 kWh (30 kWh/day * 365 days). This information is crucial for determining the size of the battery system needed to meet your energy demands

What size is your existing solar system or what are you planning?

If you already have a solar system, its size will influence the type and size of the battery needed. If you're planning to install a new system, ensure the solar and battery system are compatible and adequately sized for your energy needs.

Example: If you have a 5 kW solar panel system, it might generate approximately 20 kWh per day under optimal conditions. This information is essential in choosing a battery that can store enough energy to cover your consumption, especially during periods when solar production is low.

Do you want to run just critical electrical loads or everything including A/Cs?

Decide whether the battery system needs to support only critical loads like refrigerators and lights, or if it should also handle high-energy appliances like air conditioners. This choice will significantly impact the battery capacity required.

Example: If you choose to power only critical loads, you might prioritize running your refrigerator, a few lights, and essential electronics, which requires a smaller battery capacity. However, including high-energy appliances like air conditioners will necessitate a significantly larger battery to handle these additional loads.

Learn more: How long can a solar battery power my house?

Which batteries are offered in your area by skilled and licensed installers?

Research which types of solar batteries (like lithium-ion, lead-acid, etc.) are available in your area. Also, look for skilled and licensed installers who can provide reliable installation and after-sales service.

Example: In your region, the most commonly available batteries might be lithium-ion and lead-acid. Lithium-ion batteries are more compact and efficient but costlier, while lead-acid batteries are bulkier and need more maintenance but are less expensive.

What's your budget?

Your budget will be a deciding factor. While higher-capacity and more advanced batteries offer greater efficiency and longevity, they also come at a higher cost. Balance your energy needs with what you can afford to invest.

Example: If your budget is $10,000, you might be able to afford a mid-sized lithium-ion battery system, offering a balance between capacity and longevity. With a lower budget, you might consider a smaller lithium-ion system or a larger lead-acid system, depending on your energy needs and other factors.

Learn more: How much does a solar battery cost?

Our experts at EnergyPal are here to help you answer these questions and choose the right battery system for your home.

Are Home Solar Batteries Worth It?

Generally, home batteries are financially “worth it” when two of three conditions are met:

  • You experience or are concerned about power outages
  • Your peak and off-peak utility power rates differ
  • You qualify for cash incentives for installing a battery

A clear security benefit of home batteries is having your own backup power during power outages or power disruptions. During these times, electricity from your home batteries could keep your refrigerator cold, lights on, fans and pumps running, mobile devices charged, security system active, and heating or cooling systems powered. With solar attached, your home could be self powered for days, and help prevent discomfort, expense, losses or damage!

Time-of-use arbitrage is a clear financial benefit if your utility company rates differ throughout the day. Your battery will store up power when it's cheap and sell the power back to your utility when it's the most expensive. Most home batteries have software that will automatically manage this process and save you money every day!

You may also qualify for current rebates and incentives for installing home batteries. Many states and local utilities are offering additional large cash incentives, especially when home batteries are attached to renewable energy systems like solar panels. Plus, the federal investment tax credit (ITC) applies to home batteries attached to solar, so now is a good time to look into how much you can save!

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