Best Solar Battery 2021

Here are our top picks for the best solar battery storage. These batteries, also called solar power banks, were selected because of their capacity, duration, and solar battery cost. See details on the features of all the batteries below.  

Top five best solar batteries

1. Sonnen
2. SunVault Storage
3. Panasonic Evervolt
4. LG RESU
5. Tesla Powerwall 

Best solar batteries comparison categories

See the best solar batteries compared side-by-side in the categories of capacity, duration, and solar battery cost. The type of battery was also a factor in this ranking. Here’s what each of those features measures.

• Capacity is the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) the battery can store. This number may be a range as you can purchase batteries in differing storage sizes. 
• Duration is how long the battery is expected to last. This lifespan is measured by years or by the number of charging cycles the battery can withstand. 
• Cost is the price you will pay for the solar battery storage. Keep in mind that you may have additional fees for installation. 

There are two types of solar batteries for your home. We will go into greater detail on the difference between these two types of batteries below. 

• Lithium-ion batteries. Sometimes abbreviated as Li-ion. 
• Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. You will also see this type of battery referred to as lithium-iron, Lithium Ferrous Phosphate, or LFP for short. For clarity, we will refer to this battery type as LFP. 

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*Price does not include installation. Installation costs vary based on battery features and manufacturer. The median installation price is around $10,000.

Sonnen

Sonnen allows you to select a battery size in a range of options to fit your home energy needs. This compact LFP battery can easily fit in an indoor area, such as your garage. Plus, it has a 10-year or 10,000 cycle warranty. 

SunVault Storage

The SunVault Storage system comes with an app so you can set preferences and control your battery at any time. Pre-select your high-priority appliances to keep running during an outage to get up to three days of backup power. 

Panasonic EverVolt

Known for its electric car batteries, Panasonic guarantees that its lithium-ion solar battery will maintain a 60% minimum capacity at the end of its 10-year warranty. EverVolt battery is a modular battery, so you can pair multiple batteries for additional storage capacity. 

LG RESU

The LG RESU has one of the largest maximum storage capacities on the market while remaining relatively compact. The RESU charges from solar panels without needing the solar energy converted to AC (alternating current) first, which makes for a more efficient charging process.  

Tesla Powerwall 

The well-known Powerwall battery is on its fourth iteration, which now includes a higher max power, along with a slightly larger size and weight dimensions. Tesla’s premier battery has no wires or vents that could be detrimental to kids or pets. 

What to look for when shopping for solar batteries

In our research, we looked at several features of solar batteries, such as storage capacity, warranty terms, battery lifespan, and recharging cycles. We also looked at solar battery efficiency and battery duration. Overall, much like buying batteries for your home electronics, what most people are looking for in a solar battery is a product that holds a charge for a long time and is efficient without breaking the bank.

Take a look at your state’s solar energy production to see if your area is likely to produce excess energy that would make having a solar battery worthwhile. 

Type of solar batteries

All solar batteries will fall into one of these two categories: either lithium-ion or LFP. Lithium-ion batteries are the ones most of us are more familiar with as they are the type of rechargeable battery used in our cellphones and many of our home electronics. Just like there are pros and cons to solar energy, there are also positives and negatives to each type of solar battery.

LFP batteries use newer technology in the solar battery field. LFPs are safer and have a longer lifespan. Plus, LFPs can typically be recharged twice the amount of times as lithium-ion, which is important if you are concerned about solar panels’ effect on the environment. For this reason, we typically recommend LFP batteries if you are going to add a battery to your solar system.

• Tesla Powerwall: Lithium-ion
• Sonnen: Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LFP)
• LG RESU: Lithium-ion
• SunVault Storage: LFP
• Panasonic Evervolt:  Lithium-ion

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) vs. Lithium-ion batteries

Best solar battery FAQs

Should I get a solar battery?

Not sure if you should get a solar battery? Solar battery storage is typically best for solar users who fit this scenario:

• You want a hybrid solar system.
• You are okay with the extra cost.
• You prefer more complete energy independence or off-the-grid living. 
• You have a crucial reason that you cannot go without power, even for a short time. 

What are the common misconceptions about solar batteries?

A common mistake with solar batteries is thinking that if the power goes out, a solar battery will run your whole house for a long period of time. A solar battery will allow primary functions to continue, such as heating or air condition. However, even at full charge, the best solar batteries will power your home for a limited period of time, typically less than a day. Another misconception is that having a solar battery equals complete energy independence. This is untrue. Even if the best solar states and with the best solar storage, you will still need to connect to the power grid.

Can I add a battery to my solar panel system at a later time?

Yes, but you may not get the solar federal tax credit (ITC). The solar tax credit is currently set to expire in 2024. Also, make sure you use the right type of battery as recommended by your solar installer, or you may risk voiding your solar panel warranty. 

What else should I know about solar batteries?

It is likely that your solar installer will have a preferred solar battery that they use. If you decide to get solar battery storage, you may need some additional details on the solar battery that comes with your solar panel system. Other common questions to ask your installer about solar batteries include: 

• How long will my solar battery last during a power outage? 
• How long does it take to charge my solar battery?
• What maintenance is required on my solar battery?