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Investing in solar panels sends you in the right direction toward energy independence, but installing a solar battery can take you there. A battery offers stored energy when you need it, such as during a power outage or when the sun clocks out for the day.
The best solar batteries stand out for exceptional warranties, value, capacity, innovative smart technology and more. Here are our top picks in the solar industry:
Note: If you''re looking for a solar generator (a mobile solar solution to power your electronic devices), see our review of best solar generators.
Choosing the best home battery can be daunting. The table below outlines the basics of our top picks to help you narrow down the options for your home.
The Tesla Powerwall 2 offers perks, like integration into the Tesla app with custom controls. It''s compatible with new or existing systems or as a stand-alone backup power system, making it a sound option for homeowners with existing solar setups that want to try energy storage.
The Tesla Powerwall 2 is sleek and efficient, and it pairs well with any solar system. You can even use it as a stand-alone home power backup (without using a solar power system). You can also daisy chain multiple Powerwalls together to expand energy storage as backup power for your home. For example, you can install 10 or more Powerwalls to generate backup power for a month or more, depending on your energy use. And through Tesla’s mobile app, you can toggle how and when to use the stored energy.
The one major drawback of the Tesla Powerwall 2 is its availability in only one size, which might be too large or too small for your home. The tesla battery is also more expensive than other brands — and this higher expense will compound if the size of your house requires more than one battery.
Tesla offers two primary battery options: the Powerwall 2 and the Powerwall+. The two batteries are nearly identical — the difference being the inverter. The Powerwall 2 is just a solar battery. The Powerwall+ features an integrated solar inverter with the battery.
Both of Tesla''s batteries come with a solid warranty, lasting 10 years. Unlike many battery manufacturers, Tesla doesn''t restrict its warranty with a cycle clause. Instead, the warranty comes with no throughput, unlimited cycles, and an end-of-warranty capacity of 70%.
You can only buy the Tesla Powerwall 2 directly from Tesla in select states. However, you can find the batteries through a list of Tesla-certified installers and solar companies, including ADT Solar, Palmetto Solar, and Sunrun.
Our reason for liking Sonnen Eco''s battery is its value for the price. The system is highly customizable. It comes in 2.5-kilowatt-hour increments, allowing you to pick in-between battery sizes that aren''t often available. Compared to other brands, Sonnen Eco has the most power capacity sizes, ensuring you get the right fit for your home. This lets homeowners not overpay for a system that''s too big for their home.
Sonnen Eco also has an alternating current (AC) battery, so you don''t necessarily need a solar panel system to use it. Instead, you could use it to harvest electricity when it costs the least and when power costs the most.
Sonnen''s solar batteries are larger than other models on our list. That can be a problem for homeowners with limited space, especially if you want to install more than one. In addition, these batteries show a lower continuous power rating than several other options on our list.
Sonnen batteries come with a 10-year, 10,000-cycle warranty that guarantees an end-of-life capacity of 70%. The warranty ends when the battery reaches the 10-year mark or completes 10,000 cycles, whichever comes first.
Sonnen partners with various solar companies throughout the country, and the company vets each installation to ensure quality installations. You can find the full list of Sonnen''s solar partners on its website, which lists each installer option by state.
The Enphase IQ is aptly named. It has numerous smart features for an elevated experience. For example, it shows off an integrated high-tech Enphase inverter, well known in the industry as a quality product.
It also has monitoring technology — on par with Tesla’s — that switches between power modes to ensure homeowners get the most out of their battery. The monitoring tech automatically switches the battery into the correct power mode based on the situation, such as turning on during a power outage.
You can check the battery''s performance through a mobile app that gives you more visibility and control over systems than other solar batteries. The Enphase IQ is also compatible with gas andsolar generators, making it a suitable pick for more home scenarios.
Enphase IQ batteries are only compatible with Enphase microinverters. This battery won''t work If your solar setup utilizes a different option. Also, extra warranty coverage comes at a higher cost.
Enphase IQ batteries come in four primary options: IQ 3, IQ 3T, IQ 10, and IQ 10T. These batteries feature integrated solar microinverter technology and AC coupling, making them an ideal fit for existing Enphase setups.
Enphase offers a modest 10-year warranty with an end-of-warranty capacity of 70%. But it has a cycle clause of 4,000 cycles and a throughput clause, which measures the battery''s total lifetime energy generation.
The IQ 3 models feature a throughput clause of 9.8 megawatt-hours (MWh), whereas the IQ 10 models have a higher clause of 29.4 MWh. Your warranty will end if your battery produces this amount of energy before the 10-year mark.
The Enphase IQ battery is available through various chain solar companies, including ADT Solar and local installers. Enphase designates its certified installers as platinum, gold, and silver (ranked by numbers of installations completed) and presents options by location on its website.
These batteries feature one of the highest round-trip efficiencies on our list. As an added bonus, the protective battery cabinet provides extra durability for indoor and outdoor installations.
While higher-than-industry-standard of 80%, the depth of discharge percentage on these batteries is lower than other batteries on our list. These batteries also aren''t compatible with all existing solar setups. If you like them, ensure you verify compatibility before you buy.
The Generac PWRcell comes in multiple sizes to accommodate varying energy needs. Each system features 3 kWh battery modules, so system capacity increases in three increments. For even more battery capacity, you can install multiple PWRcell cabinets, increasing your energy storage up to 36 kWh.
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