10 Best Solar Batteries in Australia (2023 Guide)

Solar battery storage is often recommended to make the most of the clean, sustainable, and renewable energy that solar panels provide. 

However, to make the most of your investment, you’ll want the answer to one key question:  which is the best solar battery in Australia right now? 

The BYD Premium LVS, SENEC Home V3 Hybrid 10 and the Tesla Powerwall are among the top-rated solar batteries in Australia for 2023, with excellent lifespans and overall efficiency. However, with varying price points, you’ll want to weigh up the cost versus benefits for each model. 

There are a significant number of solar battery brands and models available in Australia today. This means choosing the best solar battery for your needs can be quite challenging. 

The best way to find out which solar battery solution is right for you is to consult with an experienced solar battery installation professional. However, to get you started, this article will cover the most often recommended solar battery storage options in Australia.

Read on to discover the top 10 recommendations!

What Are the Best Solar Batteries in Australia in 2023?

To get the best performance out of your solar PV system, you may want to invest in solar battery storage. Choosing the best solar battery for your system can be challenging or even confusing with so many brands available, and with how much solar batteries cost, making the most of your investment is a priority.

We’ve put together a list of solar battery brands and models considered the best in Australia. Check out this solar battery comparison guide below. 

1. BYD Premium LVS 

The BYD Premium LVS solar battery features a modular design, ensuring that your home or commercial space has sufficient power for outages and significant independence from the local grid. Its modular design allows straightforward expansion for more capacity. It is capable of generating a massive 256 KWh with 16 battery stands connected in parallel.

Price Estimate: $3,000 to $20,000

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 4kWh, 8kWh, 12kWh, 16kWh, 20kWh, and 24kWh

Cycle Life: 6,000 cycles

Compatibility: Compatible with Sungrow, Fronius, Goodwe, Kostal, SMA, Ingeteam, Selectronic, Solis, Kaco, Solar Edge, Schneider Electric, and Victron Energy inverters. Incompatible with other battery models.

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (37 ratings)

Pros:

• Battery chemistry centres around cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate for maximum safety, life cycle, and power output
• Modular, which means the system’s capacity can be increased
• Can be used for off-grid function
• Emergency, high-power backup
• Internal plug design means that no additional wiring is required
• Self-consumption optimisation

Cons:

• Large and vertical, requiring a lot of space
• Some incompatibility issues with other inverters and batteries

2. SENEC Home V3 Hybrid 10 

The SENEC Home V3 Hybrid 10 solar battery features technology that boosts your power self-sufficiency by up to 90%. The same technology allows you to cycle the battery twice a day. This ensures you’ll have power during early mornings and evenings when energy usage is high. Finally, you can also send excess power back to the grid.

Price Estimate: $3,890

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 3kWh

Cycle Life: 12,000 cycles

Compatibility: Compatible with all leading brand systems 

Warranty: Standard 10-year manufacturer’s warranty with a purchasable 20-year extension

Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (11 ratings)

Pros:

• The number of recycling charges is double the capacity of most other brands
• SENEC App allows you to control, monitor your system’s performance, and track your usage
• Automatic power management

Cons:

• Floor mounted, not wall mounted, which means it takes up floor space
• Media reports of a Senec solar battery explosion in Germany, though there is no evidence there was any fault with the battery which caused the issue, and there have been no other reports of this problem 

3. Tesla Powerwall 2 

The Tesla Powerwall 2 is AC coupled, allowing the battery to be installed in your existing solar system without needing extra components. You can run 10 Powerwall units together with the solar battery. It does require a Tesla gateway box so you can switch to backup power in case the local power grid suddenly cuts off. 

Price Estimate: $11,000 to $13,000 excluding installation

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 14kWh total energy, 13.5kWh usable energy

Cycle Life: 3,200 cycles estimated

Compatibility: Incompatible with other solar batteries

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (437 ratings)

Pros:

• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Can charge even when ambient temperatures are below freezing
• Comes with a built-in inverter
• Equipped with a liquid cooling system

Cons: 

• Cannot provide backup power if there’s no backup gateway
• Additional Powerwalls and components are required for an off-grid setup
• Recently, Tesla announced that Powerwalls would be bundled with Tesla solar panels and systems. This future development will make it incompatible with existing solar PV systems. You’ll be forced to buy a Powerwall and a Tesla solar system

4. RedFlow ZCell

RedFlow Z Cell is unique because it’s a zinc bromide flow battery, a hybrid flow battery variation. Its anode terminal is water-based, while the cathode terminal is immersed in a bromine solution. Zinc metal plates in the anode create a charge via an electrochemical reaction that stores energy. The metal is oxidised as the battery slowly discharges; as it does, electrons are released to the cathode to induce the soluble bromine ions. The battery’s chemistry makes it, in several ways, superior to standard lithium-ion solar batteries. 

Price Estimate: $12,000 to $13,000 excluding installation

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 10kWh

Cycle Life: No data

Compatibility: Can be installed within an existing solar system

Warranty: Guaranteed to produce 36,500kWh of energy throughout for more than 10 years with no electrolyte degradation

Pros:

• Storage capacity does not decline
• Can be 100% discharged every single day without worrying about damage
• Can enter into “hibernation” mode for decades. It maintains whatever charge it had at the moment of hibernation
• Hibernation mode can be restarted using external power
• The flame retardant property of bromide reduces the likelihood of a battery catching fire 
• In an off-grid system, the battery can be restarted from hibernation with a hand crank

Cons:

• Power output is lower per kilowatt-hour of storage when compared to some lithium-ion batteries
• A fault in the battery can give off hydrogen, which is flammable
• Large and heavy
• Not suited for indoor installation

5. Empower Elektrobank 14 

This Empower Elektrobank 14 is a grid-integrated device that is both a solar PV inverter and a lithium-ion solar battery. It also has integrated water-heater control. The Elektrobank features automatic battery adjustment during charging and discharging to decrease power consumption during peak periods.

Price Estimate: $12,980, inclusive of GST and installation fees in NSW

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 14kWh

Cycle Life: 40,800kWh in 10 years

Compatibility: Compatible with Virtual Power Plant (VPP)

Warranty: 10 years

Pros:

• Low cost per warranted kilowatt hour
• Includes extra features
• Automatic power and storage adjustment during charging and discharging

Cons:

• Expensive
• Relatively complex installation

6. Enphase AC Battery 

The Enphase AC lithium-ion solar battery boasts affordability and versatility. It guarantees optimum performance at a low cost. 

Price Estimate: $2,000

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 1.2kWh

Cycle Life: 7,300 cycles

Compatibility: Can be used with grid-tied PV systems using the Enphase Envoy-S Metered™ gateway

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (15 ratings)

Pros:

• Easy installation and connects with standard household AC wiring
• Absence of DC high voltage in the system, making it safer
• Long-time prismatic cell stability
• Modular design makes it ideal for system redundancy

Cons:

• Relatively low power output despite its large size. If you plan to power multiple demanding appliances, you’ll have to install multiple batteries, which could drive up the cost.
• Designed to optimally work with Enphase microinverters, which are usually more expensive than other brands

7. SonnenBatterie Hybrid 9.53

The German-engineered SonnenBatterie Hybrid 9.53 single-phase solar battery is an integrated lithium-ion phosphate energy storage system ideal for homes and small businesses. Its technology enables you to manage your storage capacity to accommodate any modification to your property’s future energy needs.

Price Estimate: $8,700

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 10kWh

Cycle Life: 10,000 cycles

Compatibility: Compatible with most solar panel brands 

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (31 ratings)

Pros:

• DC coupled but can be installed in an AC system
• Smart energy management software 
• Hybrid inverter with three fully integrated components
• Self-learning algorithm that gradually adapts to your energy consumption patterns

Cons:

• No backup electricity supply function. You need to buy an external backup box for a backup power supply.
• The external backup box has a very limited power output of 1.8 kW of continuous power output. There is a larger backup option, though, which can provide up to 2.5 kW of continuous output
• Generally cannot backup power-hungry appliances such as air conditioning systems, refrigerators, or radiators
• Cannot function as a dedicated off-grid power system

8. LG Chem RESU 10 

LG is an industry leader when it comes to home appliances and electronics. That includes solar batteries. Standing for “Residential Energy Storage Unit,” the LG Chem RESU 10 is a cost-effective and dependable solar battery. It provides backup power protection, automatic time-of-use load shifting, and independence from the local grid.

Price Estimate: $8,120, including delivery fees and GST

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 8.8kWh

Cycle Life: 6,000 cycles

Compatibility: Compatible with Goodwe, Selectronic, LG, Solis Inverters, SMA, and Sungrow inverters

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (91 ratings)

Pros:

• Runs on DC power and has a much better round-trip efficiency than an AC battery
• Only a small amount of energy is lost during charge/discharge cycles
• Passively cooled
• Affordable

Cons:

• Requires a separate inverter to operate
• Microinverters and several inverters may not be compatible because this is a DC battery
• Difficult to adapt to existing solar systems
• Power output is limited and cannot stack even with multiple batteries

9. Redback SB9600 

The Redback SB9600 can be integrated easily into your existing solar system to enhance your property’s energy sufficiency.

Price Estimate: Around $8,000

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 9.6kWh

Cycle Life: No data

Compatibility: Can be used with most brands and existing solar system setups

Warranty: 10 years

Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars on SolarQuotes (16 ratings)

Pros:

• Can be installed indoors or outdoors
• App that accurately tracks battery charging, solar generation, consumption, and buy/sell-to-grid readings
• Lightweight, modular, and easy to install

Cons:

• Vulnerable to battery management failure if not constantly monitored

10. Eguana Evolve 0513 

The Eguana Evolve 0513 is a solar battery designed to be compatible with most residential solar panel systems. The batteries provide backup power and reduce dependence on the local grid. You can choose between backup power mode, solar self-consumption, and scheduling modes.

Price Estimate: Between $8,000 to $18,000

Battery Size/ Storage Capacity: 13kWh

Cycle Life: No data

Compatibility: Compatible with most solar PV strings or microinverters

Warranty: 10 years

Pros:

• Three modes to choose from
• Has a battery reserve feature, automatically reserving 25% of the battery’s capacity when operating in Time of Use or Solar Self-Consumption mode
• Additional battery packs can be installed for more storage

Cons:

• May not have sufficient power for air conditioners, refrigerators, and power-hungry devices.
• Efficiency rating is a bit low at 86.8%
• Guaranteed to retain 60% of its storage capacity, which slightly is below standard

What Types of Solar Batteries are Available in Australia? 

There are several solar battery types that you can purchase and install in your home. The right one depends on your solar battery setup, its requirements and specifications, and your requirements and preferences.

Lead acid solar batteries are classics and are generally dependable. However, their old technology is now surpassed by newer, better, high-tech, cheaper solar battery types.

Lithium-ion solar batteries are popular units for both household and commercial use. First used in the electric car industry, these batteries are designed to prioritise power or energy density.

Flow batteries act and function like fuel cells. Their advantages include independent scaling of power, longer cycles and calendar life, and lower cost. However, they also suffer from inferior cycle energy efficiency compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Sodium nickel chloride batteries, sometimes called molten salt batteries, offer high energy and power density. They are expensive and usually impractical for standard residential and commercial use. However, they’re widely used for special electric vehicles, industrial power backup systems, and military applications.

Let’s find out more about these battery types and how these solar batteries work. 

Lead-Acid Solar Batteries 

A lead-acid solar battery is one of the most common rechargeable batteries. It uses lead and sulfuric acid chemical reactions to produce electricity, charge, and discharge. 

A lead peroxide plate and sponge lead plate are immersed in dilute sulfuric acid; this creates a controlled chemical reaction that allows the battery to generate electricity. The process is reversed to recharge the battery.

Lead-acid batteries are typically used in vehicles, but specialised lead-acid batteries designed for solar power are also available. You usually need a bank of these batteries, ideally set up in a cool, climate-controlled shed; high temperatures can decrease their lifespan and efficiency.

Although somewhat overshadowed by new lithium-ion batteries, lead acid batteries are still in demand because they’re affordable and are a tried and tested technology. They’re popular for people who wish to live off-grid or have limited-to-no-grid access.

Lithium-ion Solar Batteries 

In a lithium-ion solar battery, lithium ions stored in cells move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode via an electrolyte to charge the battery. The flow is reversed when the battery is charged. 

An intercalated lithium-ion compound is used for the positive electrode and graphite for the positive electrode.

Many installers prefer lithium-ion batteries due to their low self-discharge, better energy density, and absence of memory effect. However, they can be hazardous, considering they have flammable electrolytes. Care must be exercised because improper usage or damage can cause the battery to explode or catch fire.

Flow Solar Batteries 

A flow battery is a form of electrochemical cell. Two chemical components are dissolved in liquids which are then pumped through the cell, passing through a membrane. As both liquids circulate, chemical energy transfers through the membrane, together with an electric current generated through an external circuit.

Solid electroactive materials give the battery several advantages over its counterparts. For example, a flow battery’s power can be scaled independently through the size of the battery stack. It may last longer and has longer cycles.

However, flow batteries have lower cycle energy efficiency than lithium-ion batteries, so need to be operated at high current densities to reduce power costs.

Sodium Nickel Chloride Solar Batteries 

A sodium nickel chloride battery utilises sodium chloride as its cathode and sodium as its anode. It operates on the principle of electrochemical reactions entailing the flow of sodium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. 

The electrodes are isolated via a beta-alumina electrolyte; this electrolyte conducts sodium particles but not electrons.

Operating at a temperature range of 270°C to 350°C, sodium nickel chloride batteries are considered a high-temperature energy storage gadget. As such, they’re often used for military applications, as balancers for wind turbines and solar panels, and other industrial-scale applications.

Which Solar battery Brands are Available in Australia? 

Several solar battery brands in Australia are available for homeowners. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Sonnen 

Sonnen GmBH is a leading German-based company whose products include energy storage systems for homes and small-scale enterprises. The company is renowned for its fully integrated solar batteries, including integrated inverters, smart power management units, electronic metres, and power-sharing functions. Their batteries can also be combined with small wind turbines, heat pumps, and heat-and-power plants.

RedFlow 

RedFlow Australia is among the pioneers in zinc-bromine flow battery technology, which have several advantages over standard lithium-ion storage systems. Their batteries do not require cooling systems, have a low fire risk, and have little capacity degradation.

Evo Power 

Evo Power is an Australian-owned company, and a leader in energy storage technology and innovation. Their Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technology allows homes and businesses to contribute to grid services. They are partners with CATL Approved Solution Provider and LG Energy Solutions, two leading lithium battery cell manufacturers for solar storage and electric vehicles.

Redback Technologies 

Redback Technologies is an Australian-owned company that prides itself on its award-winning energy generation and storage solutions for homes and businesses. Their technologies and services are specifically designed to exploit Australia’s sunny skies.

Tesla 

Tesla Energy is a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes solar energy generation and storage systems. Their signature product is the Tesla Powerwall, a stackable, rechargeable lithium-ion solar battery optimised for daily cycling. It also utilises proprietary technology for cooling the cells via packed liquid coolant.

LG Chem

LG Chem—presently LG Energy Solution, Ltd— is a Korean company that has recently entered the solar battery market. It has been the world’s third-largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries since 2011, having an annual production of 1 billion cells. 

BYD Company

BYD Company is a Chinese manufacturer of rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles. Their storage system solutions are renowned for their optimised modularity, efficiency, and charging/discharging capacity. Business Week awarded them the most innovative company in the world in 2010.

SENEC

SENEC is a leading storage manufacturer and renewable energy solutions company based in Germany. The company is known for their efficient solar batteries with combined PV and inverters. In addition, EuPD Research has repeatedly recognised SENEC as a top PV brand in power storage.

Enphase

Enphase Energy is an American company that creates and makes EV charging stations, microinverters, and battery energy storage, mainly for homeowners. It is the premier company in successfully commercialising solar micro-inverters. Today, Enphase has delivered more than 4.8 million microinverters and 2.5 million solar systems to more than 140 countries.

Empower

Empower Energy is an Australian-based company that creates solar battery systems customised to take advantage of Australia’s unique conditions. They specialise in manufacturing hybrid battery storage solutions that feature dual input solar inverters, smart appliance controllers, and intelligent control software in a single unit.

Huawei

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a major Chinese multinational corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes smart devices, consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, and energy storage solutions. Its solar batteries are known for their optimised power generation, smart home energy management system, simple plug-and-use interface, and high degree of safety.

Alpha ESS

Alpha ESS is a global company that aims to provide smart, clean energy applications. Their energy storage solutions are designed for decarbonisation and efficient grid integration. They pride themselves on high-compatibility systems that are easy to install, modular, VPP-ready, and have round-the-clock monitoring capability.

Soltaro

Soltaro provides innovative energy storage solutions for homes and businesses. Their technology focuses on storing unused energy for future use rather than returning that power to the grid. This helps decrease your energy bills and your dependence on the local grid.

How Do I Choose the Right Solar Battery Storage for my Home? 

Choosing the right solar battery storage system for your home requires you to consider the amount of energy your household uses, the current solar panel system you have and the solar professional you work with. 

What is the best solar battery for your home? This list will give you insight into the considerations for selecting the right battery for you. Of course, a professional installer can iron out the details that will help you choose.

Battery Capacity 

Calculate your home’s peak power requirements using amp hours; this is important in choosing the right battery with enough storage for your needs. For example, a battery rated for 100 amp hours can produce 1 amp of electricity for 100 hours. 

Lifespan and Charge/ Discharge Cycles

Your battery’s longevity depends on its charge and discharge cycles. In general, the more charge/discharge cycles your battery has, the longer it lasts. Two factors should be evaluated in this aspect:

• Depth of Discharge – the percentage of battery energy that has been cycled into and out of the battery relative to the overall storage capacity of the unit on a given cycle.
  
• Cycle Life – refers to the number of charge and discharge cycles that the battery can handle before its capacity deteriorates.

Flooded vs Sealed Batteries 

Flooded batteries – such as lead-acid batteries in off-grid solar systems – utilise liquid media that contains electrolytes to activate an electrochemical reaction.

Sealed batteries – such as lithium-ion solar batteries – are rechargeable batteries that do not contain liquids or hold a minimum amount of liquid to enable the flow of electrolytes. They are often sealed in a casing and are maintenance-free.

Peak Power Output 

The peak power output, often determined by kilowatt peak (kWp), refers to the highest level of power the battery can produce at its optimal performance. The higher the kWp rating, the more efficient the battery is.

Round-Trip Efficiency 

A solar battery’s round-trip efficiency refers to the percentage of electric energy stored in the unit, which can be retrieved when needed. Less energy is lost in storage if the round-trip efficiency rating is higher.

Brand and Warranty 

Battery manufacturers boast of the capabilities, features, and advantages of their solar battery lines, offered warranties, and their after-sales service. These should also be considered when choosing the right battery for you.

Note that these are just general considerations. You need a professional battery installer to help with solar battery comparisons and choices.

Related Questions

What Is the Lifespan of a Solar Battery?

Home solar battery brands can last around 5 and 15 years, although your solar system can last up to 20 or 30 years. But the lifespan of a solar battery depends on the number of its charge and discharge cycles. That means you will replace your batteries at least once to match your solar system’s lifespan.

What Voltage Should My Solar Battery Be? 

It varies, depending on the requirements and specifications of your existing solar system. Solar batteries are available in 6V, 12V, 24V and 48 volts. Use this reference as a general rule of thumb.

If your solar array capacity is:

• Less than 1000W, then 12V is suitable.
• More than 1000W but less than 2000W, then 24V is ideal.
• Less than 2000W, then 48V is ideal. 

Conclusion

We hope this article about solar battery comparison helps you choose the right energy storage unit for your solar system. The right solar battery storage solution ensures you’ll have clean, sustainable, reliable, and readily available power when you need it.

Disclaimer:
This article is published in good faith and for general informational purposes only. JFK Electrical does not make any warranties about the ongoing completeness and reliability of this information. Always seek personalised advice on solar energy to ensure any recommendations suit your property and scenario.