Best Lithium Battery for Solar 2023: Top 12 Home Batteries

While advances in technology have brought us a very high quality of life, we are still not immune to the damage that natural disasters can do to people's lives. If you live in a place where natural disasters frequently cause power outages, you may want to consider installing a set of home battery backups to power you when your grid is not working. These battery backup systems can consist of lead acid or lithium batteries, but LiFePo4 battery is the best choice for solar battery backup systems.

Residential energy storage is undoubtedly one of the hottest industries right now, and there are a lot of options for home batteries for consumers, and BSLBATT, as experts in the industry, we've highlighted a few of the hottest LiFePO4 solar batteries that are above on the market, so if you don't already have a home battery installed or are in the process of choosing the right one for your home, follow the article to find out which brands you should be investing in for the year 2024.

Tesla: Powerwall 3

There's no doubt that Tesla's home batteries still have unassailable supremacy in the residential energy storage industry, and with the Powerwall 3 expected to go on sale in 2024, it's a very worthy product for Tesla's loyal fans.

What to expect from the new Powerwall 3:

1. Powerwall 3 in the electrochemical technology has been switched from NMC to LiFePO4, which also proves that LiFePO4 is indeed more suitable for energy storage battery, to ensure the safety and stability of the energy storage system.

2. Enhanced continuous power: Compared to the Tesla Powerwall II Plus (PW+), the continuous power of the Powerwall 3 has been increased by 20-30% to 11.5kW.

3. Support for more photovoltaic inputs: The Powerwall 3 can now support up to 14kW of photovoltaic input, which is an advantage for homeowners with more solar panels.

4. Lighter weight: The overall weight of Powerwall 3 is only 130kG, which is 26kG less than Powerwall II, making it easier to handle and install.

What are the Powerwall 3 specs?

Battery Energy: 13.5kWh

Max Continious Output Power: 11.5kW

Weight: 130kG

System Type: AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 97.5%

Warranty: 10 years

Sonnen: Batterie Evo

Sonnen, the number one brand for residential energy storage in Europe and the first company in the industry to advertise a 10,000 cycle life, has deployed more than 100,000 batteries worldwide to date. With its minimalist design, and virtual power plant VPP community and grid service capabilities, Sonnen has a share of over 20% in Germany.

The SonnenBatterie Evo is one of Sonnen's solar battery solutions for residential energy storage and is an AC battery that can be directly connected to an existing solar system with a nominal capacity of 11kWh, and can be paralleled with up to three batteries to reach a maximum of 30kWh.

What are the SonnenBatterie Evo specs?

Battery Energy: 11kWh

Continuous power output (on-grid): 4.8kW - 14.4kW

Weight: 163.5kg

System Type: AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 85.40%

Warranty: 10 years or 10000 cycles

BYD: Battery-Box Premium

BYD, a leading Chinese manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, stands tall as one of the world's largest producers in this domain, dominating both the electric vehicle and energy storage markets in China. Pioneering innovation, BYD introduced the concept of stackable tower-shaped home batteries, unveiling the first generation of High Voltage (HV) battery systems in 2017.

Currently, BYD's lineup of residential batteries is exceptionally diverse. The Battery-Box Premium series offers three primary models: the high-voltage HVS and HVM series, along with two lower-voltage 48V options: LVS and LVL Premium. These DC batteries seamlessly integrate with hybrid inverters or storage inverters, showcasing compatibility with renowned brands such as Fronius, SMA, Victron, and more. As a trailblazer, BYD continues to shape the landscape of home energy storage with cutting-edge solutions.

What are the Battery-Box Premium HVM specs?

Battery Energy: 8.3kWh – 22.1kWh

Maximum Capacity: 66.3kWh

Continuous power output (HVM 11.0): 10.24kW

Weight (HVM 11.0): 167kg (38kg per battery module)

System Type: DC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: ＞96%

Warranty: 10 years

Givenergy: All in one

Givenergy is a UK based renewable energy manufacturer founded in 2012 with a range of products including battery storage, inverters and monitoring platforms for storage systems. They have recently launched their innovative All in one system, which combines the functionality of inverters and batteries. The product works in conjunction with Givenergy's Gateway, which has a built-in islanding feature that allows it to switch from grid power to battery power in less than 20 milliseconds for energy backup and more.

In addition, All in one has a massive 13.5kWh capacity and Givenergy offers a 12-year warranty on their safe, cobalt-free LiFePO4 electrochemical technology. All in one can be connected in parallel with six units to achieve a maximum storage capacity of 80kWh, which is more than enough to meet the energy needs of larger households.

What are the All in one specs?

Battery Energy: 13.5kWh

Maximum Capacity: 80kWh

Continuous power output: 6kW

Weight: All in One - 173.7kg, Giv-Gateway – 20kg

System Type: AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 93%

Warranty: 12 years

Enphase: IQ Battery 5P

Enphase is known for its excellent microinverter products, however, he also has an extensive range of energy storage batteries, and in the summer of 2023 he is launching what he claims to be a disruptive battery product called the IQ Battery 5P, which is an all-in-one AC Combination Battery ESS that delivers two times the continuous power and three times the peak power compared to its predecessor.

The IQ Battery 5P has a single cell capacity of 4.96kWh and six embedded IQ8D-BAT microinverters, giving it 3.84kW of continuous power and 7.68kW of peak output. If one microinverter fails, the others will continue to operate to keep the system running, and the IQ Battery 5P is backed by the industry's leading 15-year limited warranty for residential energy storage.

What are the IQ Battery 5P specs?

Battery Energy: 4.96kWh

Maximum Capacity: 79.36kWh

Continuous power output: 3.84kW

Weight: 66.3 kg

System Type: AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 90%

Warranty: 15 years

BSLBATT: LUMINOVA 15K

BSLBATT is a professional lithium battery brand and manufacturer based in Huizhou, Guangdong, China, focusing on providing the best lithium battery solutions to their customers. BSLBATT has a wide range of batteries for residential energy storage, and in mid-2023 they are launching the LUMINOVA series of batteries compatible with single-phase or three-phase high-voltage inverters to help homeowners gain greater energy independence.

LUMINOVA comes in two different capacity options: 10kWh and 15kWh. Taking LUMINOVA 15K as an example, the battery operates at a voltage of 307.2V and can be expanded to a maximum capacity of 95.8kWh by parallel connecting up to 6 modules, catering to various residential energy storage needs. Beyond its primary capabilities, LUMINOVA is equipped with features such as WiFi and Bluetooth, enabling remote monitoring and upgrades through BSLBATT's cloud platform. Currently, LUMINOVA is compatible with multiple high-voltage inverter brands, including Solis, SAJ, Deye, Hypontech, Solplanet, Solark, Sunsynk, and Solinteg.

What are the LUMINOVA 15K Battery specs?

Battery Energy: 15.97kWh

Maximum Capacity:  95.8kWh

Continuous power output: 10.7kW

Weight: 160.6 kg

System Type: DC/AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 97.8%

Warranty: 10 years

Solaredge: Energy Bank

Solaredge has been a leading brand in the inverter industry for more than 10 years, and since its inception, SolarEdge has been developing innovative solutions to make solar energy more accessible. In 2022, they officially launched their own high-voltage home battery, the Energy Bank, with a capacity of 9.7kWh and a voltage of 400V, specifically for use with their Energy Hub inverter.

This home solar battery has a continuous power of 5kW and a peak power output of 7.5kW (10 seconds), which is low compared to most lithium solar batteries and may not be able to run some of the more powerful appliances. With the same inverter connected, the Energy Bank can be connected in parallel with up to three battery modules to achieve a storage capacity of nearly 30kWh. Outside of the first instance, Solaredge claims that the Energy Bank can achieve a round-trip battery efficiency of 94.5%, which means more energy for your home when performing inverter conversions. Like LG Chem, Solaredge's solar cells also use NMC electrochemical technology (but LG Chem has announced a switch to LiFePO4 as the primary cell component since its multiple fire incidents).

What are the Energy Bank Battery specs?

Battery Energy: 9.7kWh

Maximum Capacity: 29.1kWh/Per inverter

Continuous power output: 5kW

Weight: 119 kg

System Type: DC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 94.5%

Warranty: 10 years

Briggs & Stratton: SimpliPHI™ 4.9kWh Battery

Briggs & Stratton is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of outdoor power equipment engines, providing innovative products and diverse power solutions to help people get the job done. It has been in business for 114 years. In 2023, they acquired Simpliphipower to provide personalized home battery systems for American families.

The Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI™ Battery, also using LiFePO4 battery technology, has a capacity of 4.9kWh per battery, can be paralleled with up to four batteries, and is compatible with most of the well-known inverters on the market. simpliphipower has been claiming 10,000 cycles @ 80% from the beginning to the end. The SimpliPHI™ Battery has an IP65 waterproof case and weighs 73 kg, probably because of the waterproof design, so they are heavier than equivalent 5kWh batteries (e.g. the BSLBATT PowerLine-5 weighs only 50 kg). ), it is still very difficult for one person to install the whole system. Note that this home battery is compatible with the Briggs & Stratton 6kW hybrid inverter!

What are the SimpliPHI™ 4.9kWh Battery specs?

Battery Energy: 4.9kWh

Maximum Capacity: 358kWh

Continuous power output: 2.48kW

Weight: 73 kg

System Type: DC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 96%

Warranty: 10 years

E3/DC: S10 E PRO

E3/DC is a household battery brand of German origin, comprising four product families, S10SE, S10X, S10 E PRO, and S20 X PRO, of which the S10 E PRO is particularly notable for its sector-wide coupling capability. Customers with S10 E PRO household power plants and appropriately designed photovoltaic systems can achieve up to 85% independence levels throughout the year, completely independent of energy costs.

The available storage capacity in S10 E PRO systems ranges from 11.7 to 29.2 kWh, up to 46.7 kWh with external battery cabinets, and depending on the battery configuration, charging and discharging capacities of 6 to 9 kW in continuous operation, and even up to 12 kW in peak operation, which can support the operation of large heat pumps even more efficiently.The S10 E PRO is backed by a full 10-year system warranty.

What are the S10 E PRO Battery specs?

Battery Energy: 11.7kWh

Maximum Capacity: 46.7kWh

Continuous power output: 6kW -9kW

Weight: 156 kg

System Type: Full sector coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: ＞88%

Warranty: 10 years

Pylontech: Force L1 

Founded in 2009 and located in Shanghai, China, Pylontech is a specialized lithium solar battery provider that delivers reliable energy storage solutions globally by integrating expertise in electrochemistry, power electronics, and systems integration. in 2023, Pylontech's shipments of home batteries are well ahead of the curve, making it the world's Pylontech's home battery shipments will be the world's largest by a wide margin in 2023.

Force L1 is a low-voltage stacking product designed for residential energy storage, featuring a modular design for easy transport and installation. Each module has a capacity of 3.55kWh, with a maximum of 7 modules per set and the possibility to parallel connect 6 sets, extending the total capacity to 149.1kWh. Force L1 is highly compatible with virtually all inverter brands worldwide, providing consumers with unparalleled flexibility and choice. 

What are the Force L1 Battery specs?

Battery Energy:3.55kWh/Per Module

Maximum Capacity: 149.1kWh

Continuous power output: 1.44kW -4.8kW

Weight: 37kg/Per Module

System Type: DC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: ＞88%

Warranty: 10 years

Fortress Power:  eVault Max 18.5kWh

Fortress Power is a Southampton, USA based company specializing in the development and manufacture of energy storage solutions, particularly lithium-ion batteries for residential and commercial use. Its eVault series of batteries have been proven in the US market and the eVault Max 18.5kWh continues its philosophy of reliable and efficient energy storage products for residential and business storage needs.

 

The eVault Max 18.5kWh, as the name implies, has a storage capacity of 18.5kWh, but has been enhanced from the classic model with the ability to expand the battery in parallel up to 370kWh, and has an access port on the top for easy servicing, which makes the battery easy to sell and maintain. In terms of warranty, Fortress Power offers a 10-year warranty in the U.S. but only a 5-year warranty outside of the U.S., and the new eVault Max 18.5kWh can't be used in parallel with its EVault Classic system.

 

What are the eVault Max 18.5kWh Battery specs?

 

Battery Energy: 18.5kWh

Maximum Capacity:  370kWh

Continuous power output: 9.2kW

Weight: 235.8 kg

System Type: DC/AC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: ＞98%

Warranty: 10 years / 5 years

Dyness: Powerbox Pro

Dyness has technical staff from Pylontech, so their product program is very similar to Pylontech's, using the same soft pack LiFePO4, but with a wider range of products than Pylontech. For example, they have the Powerbox Pro product for wall-mounted use, which can be used as a replacement for the Tesla Powerwall.

The Powerbox Pro boasts a sleek and minimalist exterior, featuring an IP65-rated enclosure suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It offers versatile installation options, including wall-mounted and freestanding configurations. Each individual battery pack has a capacity of 10.24kWh, with the capability to parallel connect up to 5 units simultaneously. To harness its power, the Powerbox Pro requires connection to an inverter. Dyness has ensured compatibility with a range of inverters, including Goodwe, Victron, Solis, Imeon, Luxpower, Growatt, Deye, and more.

What are the Powebox Pro Battery specs?

 

Battery Energy: 10.24kWh

Maximum Capacity:  51.2kWh

Continuous power output: 5.12kW

Weight: 103 kg

System Type: DC coupling

Round-Trip Efficiency: 90%

Warranty: 10 years

KEY FIGURES FOR BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEMS

When you've decided on a home battery backup system, how do you find the best home battery for your needs? Key figures, such as the charge and discharge performance of the power storage capacity or storage unit are important benchmarks.

Why Are Key Figures For Home Power Backup System So Important?

A solar power backup system should be well matched to the solar system in question in terms of capacity, performance and service life. If the residential battery storage is too small, the capacity may not be sufficient to use all the electricity from your PV system. On the other hand, if you choose a residential battery storage that is too large, its capacity will not be fully utilized by your system. Since larger battery storage units are significantly more expensive than smaller ones, the costs for the solar power backup system may eat up the potential savings from the use of self-generated solar power.

But the right dimensioning is also important from a technical point of view, because the service life of a battery can be significantly reduced by insufficient charging - a phenomenon that you may also be familiar with from your car battery. Your purchase decision should therefore be based on the fact that your home solar power backup system can be adapted as well as possible to your individual operating conditions. By the way, modern battery storage systems for electricity nowadays often have an emergency power function, which is very useful in the event of a power failure and, unlike the emergency generator, does not require any fuel.

Key Figures That Help You Decide

First of all, it is important to clarify which key figures exist for battery backup systems. Based on these key figures, you can ask yourself which of them are decisive for your purchase.

Overview Of Key Figures For Battery Backup Systems

● Cell chemistry: 

Cell chemistry refers to the materials that make up the batteries in your power storage unit. While for a long time lead-acid or lead-gel batteries were particularly popular for use in the private sector, lithium-ion batteries are now more commonly used. Due to their high energy density, these have established themselves on the market in recent years. Cell phones, laptops and electric cars also make use of this composition. Do you prefer inexpensive lead batteries or expensive lithium-ion batteries, which are more efficient?

● Charging and discharging power (kW)?

The maximum charging and discharging capacity indicates the amount of power (in kilowatts) with which the storage unit can be charged and discharged. The higher the capacity, the faster the storage unit can be charged when the sun is shining and the larger the consumers that can be supplied with the stored electricity. The charging and discharging power you need for your electricity storage unit depends on the consumers you want to supply with it. The charging and discharging power of the BSLBATT is scalable, for example, the 10.12kWh Powerwall is 9.8kW, but when you use two modules in parallel, the power becomes 18.6kW. Importantly, this is not possible for all battery brands, such as LG Chem.

● Storage capacity or nominal capacity: 

This is specified by the manufacturer in kilowatt hours (kWh) and should always match the PV power.

● Usable storage capacity:

This often differs from the theoretical nominal capacity in practice because the final depth of charge reduces the actual capacity.

● 1-phase or 3-phase?

Inverters and battery inverters can be 1-phase or 3-phase and differ based on the amount of power they can feed into the home grid. 1-phase solar storage systems can feed up to 4.6 kW into the grid, which is ideal for most residential purposes, while 3-phase systems are well-suited for powering larger loads or in combination with photovoltaic systems with particularly large numbers of modules.

Whether a 1-phase or 3-phase electricity storage system is the right choice for you thus largely depends on the associated inverter.

● Depth of discharge:

To protect the solar battery from damage due to deep discharge, it can only be discharged to a final depth of charge specified by the manufacturer. This affects the actual usable battery capacity.

● Charging cycles: 

A distinction is made between full cycle (from full charge to maximum depth of discharge) and micro cycle (minor discharge and recharge). The service life of a battery storage unit is largely defined by the number of charge cycles.

● Efficiency of residential storage system: 

The efficiency of the residential storage system is measured in terms of efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the efficiency of electricity storage systems is 90& to 98 %, which is very efficient. However, this value can vary based on the model, ambient temperature, and how the storage unit is handled during charging and discharging. Due to electronic control via inverters and charge controllers, every storage system loses a few percentage points compared to the theoretically achievable performance. Overall, modern electricity storage units have a low conversion loss, which means they provide high-performance energy conversion. Lead-acid batteries have a lower efficiency than lithium-ion batteries (approx. 75 % vs. approx. 90 %).

● Cycle life: 

Just like your solar system, a residential solar battery is constantly operating to store the solar energy generated on the roof of your house. The equipment life of a storage system is shorter than that of a solar module. Lead-acid storage systems can last up to 10 years, while lithium-ion storage systems can last at least 20 years. Most manufacturers offer a 10-year warranty on your residential solar battery. Regardless of the number of charge cycles, batteries have a limited life expectancy. At the end of the cycle life, the original rated power is reduced to about 80 %.

● Charging and discharging power of the home battery backup system: 

This indicates how much power the power storage unit can be charged or discharged with. The greater the charging power, the faster the battery is charged in sunshine. The higher the discharge power, the larger the connected power consumers can be.

Why Are Charge And Discharge Performance Of Residential Battery Backup So Important?

In fact, many users focus on key figures such as efficiency, battery capacity and service life when selecting a residential battery backup. In doing so, they often neglect the charging and discharging performance of the lithium batteries. However, this is very important for operating devices with electricity from PV systems. If your power backup system has a rather low charging capacity, it takes longer for the lithium batteries to be fully charged again. However, it is really problematic if the discharge capacity of residential battery backup is too low.

Logically, the operation of electricity-intensive appliances such as your washing machine or dryer is most worthwhile with free solar power. However, such power-hungry appliances are only supplied with energy via the residential battery backup if it has a sufficient discharge capacity. In addition to individual consumers with a great hunger for electricity, a large number of smaller appliances can also push the battery backup system to its limits. So even if you don't have any large consumers in mind when you buy, you should consider future purchases. This is especially true for charging an electric car with self-generated PV power. In case of doubt, the discharge capacity of your residential battery backup should be somewhat more generously dimensioned.

Expandability and Retrofittability?

The integration of a wallbox for your electric car or the expansion of your household through new or larger application have an impact on your annual electricity demand. Thanks to a subsequent expansion of your home battery storage system, you can continue to sustainably cover your household electricity consumption.

As a rule, however, it is worthwhile to buy a larger home solar battery when purchasing the solar system including storage in order to avoid a later expansion and to cover such changes in electricity demand. (BSLBATT can provide the largest home lithium battery on the market with a single capacity of 20kWh.) If you still decided to buy a smaller storage battery system when purchasing your solar system, an expansion of your home battery storage system is still no problem in most cases.

You already have a solar system, but without a home battery storage system? Our experts will be happy to advise you on the selection of the right residential storage system for your existing PV system.

Finding The Right Charging And Discharging Capacity For Your Power Backup System

The charging and discharging capacity of home battery for PV systems usually depends on the lithium battery size or its capacity. Smaller batteries usually also have lower discharging power or charging power. However, high power ratings and large storage capacity are associated with higher purchase costs. Therefore, when buying, you should consider the following factors:

● Consumption patterns: If you need electricity primarily when the sun is not shining, the home battery backup system must be larger than if you use most of the energy during the day.

● Annual power consumption: Depending on the number and consumption patterns of the residents, you should consider the average annual power consumption when choosing the home battery storage.

● System size: As mentioned at the beginning, the size of the home battery and the size of the system must be matched. If the PV system generates more electricity than you can store, this is just as unfavorable as an unnecessarily large and expensive battery backup system that is only partially used.

● Degree of self-sufficiency: If you are aiming for greater self-sufficiency from the power grid, the home battery must also be larger.

● Self-consumption: The more electricity you want to generate for self-consumption, the more battery backup system capacity you need. If, on the other hand, you want to feed more electricity into the public grid, the home battery storage can be dimensioned smaller.

Conclusion

Battery backup system make it possible to use the solar electricity generated at a later point in time. Electricity that is not consumed directly does not necessarily have to be fed into the public grid immediately. Instead, the photovoltaic self-consumption increases and thus also the savings. Because of the decreasing feed-in tariff, a high level of self-consumption is economically particularly profitable. So you save money with every kilowatt hour of solar power that you consume.

At the same time, you are doing something good for our environment by making the best possible use of your solar energy. In order to benefit from the advantages of your own photovoltaic system, you should also buy a home solar battery. You can find out which model is right for you in our BSLBATT Website. Our experienced lithium battery expert are always available by phone to give you advice and support.