Home Battery Backup Solar Battery Comparison Guide

Home Battery Backup - Solar Battery Comparison Guide

Updated September 3rd 2024

As renewable energy grows in popularity, solar batteries have become the cornerstone for ensuring a reliable and self-sustaining power supply to homes. They not only harness the bountiful solar energy but also ensure a dependable power supply to your home, especially during unforeseen grid outages. The market, however, is a vast ocean of choices with various brands vying for attention, each with its unique offerings. Finding the ideal home battery backup can, therefore, be a tad overwhelming.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve sifted through the clutter to compare the most popular solar power batteries of 2024, evaluating them on critical metrics like storage capacity, power rating, cost, and performance. Whether you are a seasoned solar enthusiast or a newcomer to the renewable energy landscape, this guide aims to shed light on the best solar batteries that promise to keep your home powered, come rain or shine.

Below is a table comparing some of the more important home battery backup metrics but we give a more detailed description of each battery after.

Metrics	Tesla Powerwall 3	Sonnen EcoLinx	LGES 10H Prime	Franklin Home Power System	Generac PWRcell	Enphase IQ Battery	SunPower SunVault
Storage Capacity	13.5 kWh	10-20 kWh	9.8 kWh	13.6 kWh	9 kWh	10.08 kWh	13 kWh
Power Rating (Cont.)	11.55 kW	7 kW	5 kW	5.5 kW	3.35 kW	3.84 kW	6.8 kW
Cost	High	Premium	Moderate	High	Competitive	Competitive	Competitive
Performance Metrics	89% Round-Trip Efficiency	81.6% Round-Trip Efficiency	90% Round- Trip Efficiency	85% Round- Trip Efficiency	96.5% Round- Trip Efficiency	89% Round- Trip Efficiency	85% Round- Trip Efficiency
Warranty	10 Years	15 Years	10 Years	12 Years	10 Years	10 Years	10 Years
Type	Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) oxide	Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)	Lithium-Ion	Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)	Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)	Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)	Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Monitoring	Yes (Tesla App)	Yes	Yes	Yes (Web & Mobile App)	Yes	Yes (Enphase Enlighten)	Yes (Energy Link Ecosystem)

Franklin Home Power System

Storage Capacity: The Franklin Home Power System includes a battery unit known as aPower, which has a storage capacity of 13.6 kWh of lithium iron phosphate battery cells. The system is modular, allowing up to 15 units to be stacked together for a maximum usable capacity of 204 kWh.
Power Rating: The aPower battery unit can maintain a 5,000-watt output and peak at a maximum of 10,000 watts for 10 seconds. It has enough power to start air conditioners up to 4 tons in capacity.
Cost: The average cost for a Franklin Home Power battery falls into the average range for a similar sized battery.
Performance Metrics: The aGate unit is a smart energy management unit that connects the aPower battery to your home, allowing control of home appliances up to 160A, and is capable of “solar black starts,” which means it can run on just solar energy without depending on the grid. The system intelligently integrates multiple energy sources – solar, battery, generator, and grid power – to optimize the safety, reliability, and efficiency of home energy.

The Franklin Home Power System is a modular design, allowing capacity expansion up to 204 kWh, which is higher compared to most residential batteries. Its peak power of 10,000 watts for 10 seconds is notable. The cost will be similar to the Tesla Powerwall 2 and Enphase IQ Battery 10. The smart energy management features, “solar black starts,” and integration of multiple energy sources are its strong points. All these features make it one of the best choices for energy storage.

Tesla Powerwall 3

Storage Capacity: 13.5 kWh AC, with scalable options up to 4 units for greater capacity.
Power Rating: It delivers 11.5 kW of continuous power, making it capable of handling high-energy loads.
Cost: While it’s on the pricier side, the investment is justified by its superior technology and brand reliability.
Performance Metrics: The system boasts 89% efficiency for solar-to-battery-to-home/grid and 97.5% for solar-to-home/grid conversions.

The Tesla Powerwall 3 is a cutting-edge home battery system that significantly advances energy storage technology. With a 13.5 kWh capacity, it offers robust power management, supporting up to 11.5 kW of continuous output, which is sufficient to power most home appliances, including heavy loads. The Powerwall 3 integrates seamlessly with solar panels, accommodating up to 20 kW of DC input, and operates with high efficiency, making it ideal for maximizing solar energy usage.

Enphase IQ Battery

Storage Capacity: The Enphase IQ Battery 10.08 kWh model provides a substantial storage capacity, ensuring a reliable power supply during grid outages.
Power Rating: The battery has a minimum output of 4 kW and a maximum output of 10.08 kW. The Enphase Encharge 10 system, which comprises three base Encharge 3 storage units, has 12 embedded microinverters with a 3.84 kW power rating.
Cost: With a competitive pricing strategy, the Enphase IQ Battery 10.08 kWh model offers a good balance between cost and performance.
Performance Metrics: The Enphase IQ Battery 10 has a round-trip efficiency of 89%. It is designed as an all-in-one AC-coupled storage system and is known for being reliable, smart, and safe.

The Enphase IQ Battery 10.06 kWh has a competitive maximum power rating and a high round-trip efficiency, making it a strong contender in terms of performance. Its cost is midrange compared to other batteries, offering a more affordable option. Its storage capacity is on the lower end, and it might not cater to higher energy storage needs as efficiently as some other batteries like the Generac PWRcell M6, Sonnen EcoLinx, or the Franklin Home Power System. Nonetheless, its price point and performance metrics make it an ideal option for those with moderate energy storage needs.

Sonnen EcoLinx

Storage Capacity: Available in varying capacities ranging from 10 to 20 kWh, the EcoLinx caters to diverse energy needs.
Power Rating: It has a steady power output of 7 kW across all models, ensuring a reliable energy supply to your home.
Cost: Sonnen EcoLinx is a premium product with a price to match, but its unique features like grid services capabilities are a step above some of the other batteries.
Performance Metrics: Round-trip efficiency of 81.6%, and a warranty of 15,000 cycles or 15 years. The battery shines in its ability to participate in Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), contributing to grid stability and earning you money in the process.

The Sonnen EcoLinx is a premium battery offering with a variety of models to cater to different energy storage needs. It’s priced higher than most other batteries discussed but comes with high-quality features and a long warranty period, positioning it as a high-end choice in the market.

LGES 10H Prime

Storage Capacity: The LGES 10H Prime provides a decent storage capacity of 9.6 kWh, suitable for small to medium-sized homes.
Power Rating: With a continuous power rating of 3.35 kW continuous, 6 kW peak.
Cost: It is priced moderately, offering a good balance between cost and performance.
Performance Metrics: Its round-trip efficiency is 90% and has a 10-year warranty.

The LGES 10H Prime presents a cost-effective option with competitive performance metrics, although it has a lower storage capacity compared to some of the other top batteries in the market.

Generac PWRcell M4

Storage Capacity: The Generac PWRcell M4 has a usable energy capacity of 12.0 kWh with a total capacity of 20.3 kWh
Power Rating: The peak power of the Generac PWRcell M6 is rated at 12.0 kW, while its continuous power is rated at 6.7 kW.
Cost: Generac PWRcell is priced competitively, making it an attractive option for many homeowners.

Performance Metrics: The Generac PWRcell M6 has a round-trip efficiency of 96.5% and a degradation rate of 7.0%. It is praised for its flexible capacity sizing, easy capacity upgrades, and good performance and efficiency.

The Generac PWRcell M4 stands as a modest option in terms of storage capacity and power rating, compared to other batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 2 and Sonnen EcoLinx. However, it boasts a high round-trip efficiency and a competitive price point, potentially making it a cost-effective choice for homeowners with moderate energy storage needs.

SunPower SunVault

Storage Capacity: The SunPower SunVault has a usable energy capacity of 13 kWh and a maximum energy storage capacity of 13 kWh.
Power Rating: e maximum output power of the SunPower SunVault is rated at 6.8 kW.
Cost: With a competitive pricing strategy, SunPower SunVault offers a good balance between cost and performance.
Performance Metrics: The SunPower SunVault’s round-trip efficiency of 85.0% is lower than the Generac PWRcell M6’s 96.5% efficiency, indicating that the Generac battery might be more efficient in energy conversion.

The SunPower SunVault’s integrated solution with the Equinox System for maximizing solar use by collecting and distributing excess solar energy is a notable feature. This feature aims to ensure the provision of power during outages, enhancing the battery’s reliability and utility in real-world conditions. Overall, the battery offers a balanced mix of storage capacity, power rating, and efficiency, making it a viable option for those looking to balance cost, performance, and reliability in a solar battery solution.

Home Battery Backup Top Picks

Best Overall Battery

The Tesla Powerwall 3 emerges as the best overall battery owing to its high storage capacity, tech, price and comprehensive backup capabilities. Its ability to handle substantial loads, including central air conditioning during a grid outage, makes it a prime choice for modern homes seeking reliable energy solutions.

Best Priced Battery

For those seeking a balance between cost and performance, the LGES 10H Prime stands as a commendable choice.

Exceptional Technology Battery

The Franklin Home Power System, with its substantial storage capacity and smart connectivity features makes it a solid choice for those looking to invest in a robust home battery backup system.

Best Adaptable Energy Solution

The Enphase IQ Battery, with its modular design and smart grid capabilities, presents an adaptable energy solution. Its ability to cater to varying energy needs while providing high efficiency makes it a standout choice for homeowners looking to gradually transition to solar energy or expand their existing solar setup.

Solar Batteries Moving Forward

The transition to solar energy is not just a stride towards self-sufficiency but a leap towards a sustainable future. The solar batteries discussed herein represent the best available, each with distinct features and capabilities suited to different needs and budgets. From the Franklin Home System to the modular Enphase batteries, there is a solar storage system for every home.

Investing in a home battery backup is a prudent decision that safeguards against power outages while reducing your carbon footprint. It’s an investment that not only powers your home but contributes to less reliance on utility companies. As solar technology continues to evolve, the efficiency and affordability of solar batteries are poised to improve, making solar energy an accessible and viable choice for more homeowners.