Best Tesla Powerwall Alternatives for Solar Energy Storage
With each passing year, the popularity of home solar batteries has scaled, primarily because the prices seem to drop all the time!
For anyone who faces blackouts, solar batteries can guarantee reliable electricity.
For most homeowners, the Tesla Powerwall has traditionally been the preferred solar battery because it is easy to use and the brand is well recognized. The key reason why a homeowner may want to go for Tesla Powerwall alternatives is that the availability of Tesla Powerwall is limited. It may take some time before you acquire one.
Enphase IQ batteries, Generac PWRcell, sonnenCore, and LG Energy's RESU Prime are among the most popular options for the Tesla Powerwall. Each of these batteries is associated with its unique sets of pros and cons. So, there are cases when solar installers, over the Tesla Powerwall, prefer to go for these brands.
The Tesla Powerwall
It was in 2015 that the first Powerwall was released. Since then, Tesla has worked towards the improvisation and refinement of its energy storage solutions.
As of current, Powerwall has a 13.5 kWh usable capacity. It makes the preferred battery backup for residences.
A homeowner has a choice of using just the Tesla Powerwall battery or using Powerwall with a solar roof system or a Tesla solar panel.
Top Tesla Powerwall Alternatives
1. Emphase Energy IQ battery
Across the world, Emphase Energy is among the two largest solar inverter manufacturers. The Emphase IQ battery is an AC-coupled lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that is available in sizes of 3 – 10 kWh. Mixing and matching the battery to create a larger battery bank is possible.
2. SonnetCore battery
Sonnen is a German energy company and solar battery production has been an important focus area for them for long. Sonnen, earlier, would come up only with luxury solar battery solutions, but these were beyond the reach of most homeowners. It was then in 2020 that Sonnen decided to tap the residential market with their newest release, sonnenCore.
3. Generac PWRcell
For many years, Generac has been one of the top manufacturers of home generators. Adding home batteries to their lineup is the next step in the progression. Generac has not developed an in-house solution but has acquired Pika Energy, which is a successful manufacturer of home storage systems. They have also adapted PWRcell for use in home systems.
4. LG Energy Solution RESU Prime
As a Li-ion battery, the LG Energy Solution RESU battery stores solar energy upon capturing it, such that it can be used later in residential settings. Energy Solutions earlier used to be known as LG Chem. They came up with new higher-capacity RESU Prime batteries in 2021. This was to address the requirements of the marketplace affected by outages.
5. Panasonic EverVolt battery
Panasonic creates a few of the finest solar panels available, which pair seamlessly with the EverVolt battery system. However, it is possible to separately purchase the batteries and install them with or without solar panels.
Which solar battery should I go for?
The battery that works the best for your home is subject to your location and budget, besides your power consumption profile. It also depends on the additional features that you want your system to have.
One of the batteries most popular among installers is the Enphase IQ battery. By using this battery, you get to derive the maximum leverage from the full suite of Enphase products. Your battery and inverter, both would be created by Enphase.
Enphase IQ, in general, is a reputed company. Their batteries are the best quality and they are also recognized for their excellent customer support.
Now, if you are also going to install solar panels simultaneously, the Generac PWRcell system is going to work the best for you. So, when a power outage occurs, homeowners can power many different types of appliances. Generac PWRcell system is characterized by its modular design, letting you add more storage modules if such a need arises in the future.
If you have solar panels already but seek an AC-coupled battery, sonnetCore is going to work the best for your requirements. Even though sonnetCore commands a higher price tag, the battery is characterized by its safety features and ease of use, besides the finest smart functions. It also gives a decent warranty.
Next, if we consider Panasonic batteries, they too are pretty much decent. But the key cons associated with them are that they are low on availability and also expensive.
If you happen to come across an installer certified by Panasonic, your batteries and panels are going to be the ideal match for one another. However, LG batteries are the industry standard, being simple and elaborately available. Many installers could be using LG batteries.
Contact VI Solar Technologies if unsure which PowerWall alternatives will meet your needs. However, the Tesla Powerwall is a great home power backup solution. But if you want to install a battery backup system in your home, there are some other good options.
