Solar batteries can improve your energy independence and lower your monthly electricity costs by allowing you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels. While you can have a battery without solar panels, pairing a battery backup system with home solar panels offers extra benefits.
Combining solar with a battery backup system to store extra solar energy comes in handy during power outages and low production times, such as night. This combination helps you maximize your solar investment by better utilizing the solar energy you produce. Discover the best solar battery for your home in 2024.
What to look for in a solar battery backup system
The cost of solar batteries is often a primary concern when shopping for solar batteries. Thanks to the Residential Clean Energy Credit and state solar incentives, you can reduce the cost by 30% or more. There are several other factors to consider when shopping for the best solar battery backup system for your home. A few terms to remember include:
Term | Description |
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Battery capacity | Capacity refers to the amount of energy, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), that a battery can store. The average solar battery capacity is about 10 kWh. |
Depth of discharge (DoD) | The amount of energy you can draw from a battery before impacting its lifespan. Drawing 100% of a battery’s charge can shorten its lifespan. The higher the DoD, the more power you can pull from the battery at one time without causing damage. |
Battery duration | How many hours a solar battery can run without recharging. Battery duration depends on the type of battery. For example, a utility-scale lithium-ion solar battery runs for up to four hours. Battery duration will increase with battery banks — or a collection of batteries working together. |
Round-trip efficiency | The percentage of energy a battery will supply after accounting for the energy it needs to function. A higher round-trip efficiency indicates a more efficient battery storage system. |
Battery lifespan and warranty options | A battery’s cycle consists of one charge and one discharge. Once a battery has been through multiple cycles, its ability to hold a charge will decrease. Similar to solar panel warranties, battery warranties ensure years of longevity or a certain number of cycles, often at a guaranteed capacity. |
Interested in solar batteries?
SaveOnEnergy partners with Haven Energy to bring you options for solar batteries. Adding storage to your solar system can protect you from power outages or periods of lower production. We’ll work with you to determine how many batteries are best for your home.
The best home solar batteries in 2024
The best solar batteries have high efficiency, long lifespans, and consistent performance to help homeowners maximize their solar investment. For homes or businesses without solar panels, battery backup storage provides an eco-friendly alternative, reducing your reliance on the grid. The following highlights key features, benefits, and factors to consider when shopping for a solar battery storage system.
Delta BX6.3
What we like: Includes a built-in power meter to monitor battery vitals, such as current and voltage and electricity consumption habits. The meter can also recognize and report any system malfunctions.
What to consider: This brand is less well-known than other batteries on the market.
The Delta BX6.3 battery has a total capacity of 6.3 kWh and 98% DoD. Before factoring in installation, the Delta BX6.3 costs about $7,400. This battery offers a whisper-quiet convection cooling system that eliminates fans and pumps. It also has a 10-year warranty with a guaranteed 50% battery capacity.
Franklin Home Power
What we like: Battery-monitoring app allows complete control over your energy use.
What to consider: Higher starting price compared to other solar batteries.
The Franklin Home Power is a lithium-ion battery with a 13.6 kWh capacity and costs around $18,000 with installation. This battery has a longer-than-average warranty period of 12 years. Like other batteries on this list, the FranklinWH has a modular design, allowing you to connect up to 15 batteries. The accompanying app lets homeowners monitor and program how much energy their home consumes from solar production vs. the power grid.
Generac PWRcell
What we like: Fully customizable battery capacity.
What to consider: Must be installed at the same time as solar panels.
The Generac PWRcell battery offers up to 18 kWh of continuous backup power when paired with a solar panel system. This battery has a budget-friendly modular design, so you can start small and add more battery power later if needed. The Generac PWRcell comes housed in an “Outdoor Rated” battery cabinet for indoor or outdoor storage, regardless of climate. Depending on the battery size you select and installation costs, a Generac PWRcell will run about $13,000 to $20,000. This battery has a 10-year limited warranty and a round-trip efficiency of 96.5%.
LGES 16H Prime
What we like: LG is a trusted and reliable company that has been around for over 75 years. The LGES 16H Prime battery has a larger storage capacity for a more affordable price.
What to consider:LG home solar batteries have limited modularity, so if you want more than 16 kWh of storage, you must buy another 16 kWh solar battery. The maximum capacity is 32 kWh.
The LGES 16H Prime is one of the largest lithium-ion home batteries, providing a total capacity of 16 kWh with a 100% DoD and a 10-year warranty. The price for LG RESU batteries is based on the capacity but typically ranges between $8,000 and $11,000 before installation.
Sonnen ecoLinx
What we like: Has a longer warranty than industry standards and virtual power plant technology to help lower your energy bills by automating energy usage in your smart home.
What to consider: The most expensive battery storage option on our list and has a lower round-trip efficiency rating than competitors.
The Sonnen ecoLinx is best for high-tech homes because it integrates with Sonnen’s home automation platform to adjust your energy usage and maximize backup power during outages. The battery has a 15-year or 15,000-cycle product warranty, greater than the industry standard of 10 years. It offers a maximum capacity of 30 kWh and is scalable from 12 kWh. You can increase your battery storage capacity by 2 kWh or install a single 30 kWh battery.
Tesla Powerwall 2
What we like: One of the largest battery storage capacities for a great price by a top brand.
What to consider: The Tesla Powerwall 2 has limited modularity — you’ll have to buy another 13.5 kWh battery to increase storage capacity.
The Tesla Powerwall is one of the most popular solar batteries on the market and costs $8,400 for one battery before potential incentives or discounts. The Tesla home battery offers a capacity of 13.5 kWh — almost half of the average amount of energy consumed in a household each day. The Tesla Powerwall 2 has a Depth of Discharge (DoD) of 100% and a round-trip efficiency of 90%. Its warranty guarantees 10 years of 70% efficiency. The company also announced that the Tesla Powerwall 3 will be available in 2024 with an increased capacity.
Solar backup battery types
There are many types of batteries in the solar market to store excess energy. Lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries are the most common home battery types paired with solar systems. Batteries can be used with new or existing solar systems, off-grid solar, or as part of a DIY solar kit. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels or solar roof shingles can all use battery backup systems. Compare the different types to determine the best solar battery backup system for homes.
Solar battery types and descriptions
Lead-acid | The two varieties of lead-acid batteries are flooded lead-acid batteries and sealed lead-acid batteries. They tend to cost less and are smaller than newer types of batteries. They have a lower DoD and need to be recharged often. Not common for homes powered by solar energy but can work well as a backup solution in the event of a power outage. |
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Lithium-ion | The best lithium-ion solar batteries are newer, smaller, and lighter than lead-acid batteries. They tend to have a longer DoD, lower maintenance, and a minimum lifespan of 10 years. |
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Lithium-polymer | Similar to lithium-ion solar batteries, but tend to be more expensive and have a shorter lifespan. They are protected against overcharging or leakage. |
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Deep-cycle | These solar batteries are best for keeping a consistent stream of power over a longer period of time. |
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Saltwater | These batteries use salt water as an electrolyte, making them a more natural and environmentally friendly option. Saltwater batteries are also maintenance-free and normally have a long lifespan. |
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Solar gel | Solar gel batteries are a good option for solar owners who move around a lot. These batteries don’t have to remain upright, meaning they handle moving around well, and are ideal for owners of RVs or people who want to travel with a solar battery bank. |
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How do solar batteries work?
Batteries store extra energy generated by a solar panel system for later use. Most homeowners consume the most electricity in the mornings and the evenings as they wake up or get home from work. Solar panels often generate the most energy in the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak.
The advantages of a solar system with a battery backup include improving your energy independence, lowering your total electric costs, and strengthening your system’s reliability. Plus, you can prepare for times of high demand when the electricity supply runs low, such as during winter weather events. You can add a solar battery bank to your system, whether paying in cash or using solar financing options, like solar loans. Solar batteries can also be an option for homeowners without solar systems who have a time-of-use plan. You can charge your battery when rates are low and use its electricity when prices spike.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), nearly 30% of solar systems will be connected to battery storage by 2027 — compared to under 10% in 2022. Solar batteries are increasingly popular with residential solar systems. As popularity grows, finding the best solar battery price for your budget may become easier.
Already have a solar system?
You can add solar battery storage to existing solar panels or extra batteries to existing battery backup systems. However, not every solar battery and system is compatible. Some of the best solar batteries to add to existing solar panels are the FranklinWH, LG Resu, Sonnen ECO, or the Tesla Powerwall 2.
Adding a battery backup or additional batteries to existing storage can require other modifications, such as:
- Additional wiring
- Additional solar inverters (Learn more about the best solar inverters.)
- Adding a charge controller to monitor battery charging
- Additional permitting with your utility if your system is grid-tied