LG Chem solar batteries reviews
Based on 103 ratings Aus Ranking
- 5 star 80
- 4 star 13
- 3 star 4
- 2 star 3
- 1 star 3
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LG Chem (nowadays known as LG Energy Solution) has been in the battery business for a very long time and first launched its Residential Energy Storage Unit (RESU) product in Australia in 2015.
Australian Office Contact Details
Address: Unit 12, 35 Dunlop Road, Mulgrave, Victoria, 3170
Telephone: 1300 178 064
Telephone (recall): 1300 677 273
Email (sales): [email protected]
Email (support): [email protected]
Website
Company Info
These days, LG stands for "Life's Good", but it once represented "Lucky Goldstar".
Way back in 1947, Lucky Chemical was founded in South Korea, which was the starting point of LG Group. GoldStar was a South Korean electronics company established in 1958. Both companies merged to form Lucky-Goldstar in 1983.
In 1992, Lucky Goldstar began lithium-ion battery research. The corporate name was changed to LG Electronics and LG Cable in 1995. The company began mass production of Korea's first lithium-ion batteries in 1999 and by the end of 2011, it was the world's third-largest manufacturer at that point.
In 2015, LG unveiled the RESU 6.4kWh battery for home energy storage. This had slightly less capacity than Tesla's original Powerwall offering (7 kWh), and could expanded to 12.8kWh with 3.2kWh expansion units. The following year, the company chose Australia as the first market for its new range of RESU solar batteries, which were cheaper, smaller, lighter and available in more configurations.
In 2020, LG Chem's battery business became a separate company and changed its name to LG Energy Solution Ltd.
And then, the recall ...
LG Battery Recall
LG Energy Solution Australia launched a recall in March 2021 for various LG Chem RESU models and battery packs with cells from specific production lots. Affected batteries may overheat and catch on fire - and there have been incidents of this happening in Australia.
That recall was expanded and is still active, with some affected batteries still not replaced or had the diagnostic software installed as at late October 2024; more than three and a half years on.
Affected LG battery packs were also installed in some battery systems from other brands, including:
- Redback SH5000
- Red Earth Sunrise
- Red Earth Drop Bear
- SolaX Power X-cabinet and PowerStation
- Opal Storage
- Eguana Evolve
- VARTA Pulse Neo
If you know of someone with an LG battery or one of the other brands above, please let them know about the recall.
LG Home Batteries
LG Energy Solution's flagship products have been the RESU range of solar battery systems, but in early 2024 the company unveiled a new product line for Australian customers - the Enblock. The Enblock is expected to be available in Australia in the final quarter of 2024.
LG RESU
Low-voltage LG RESU current models are still available in 10kWh (8.8 kWh usable) and 12kWh (11.7kWh usable) capacity. Some expansion is possible using the LG Resu Plus Battery Combiner. There's also the high voltage Prime RESU available in 10kWh (expandable to 19.2 kWh useable capacity) and 16kWh capacity (expandable to 32 kWh).
The power ratings range up to 7kW steady, 11kW peak for the Prime RESU 16, so there's a RESU with sufficient grunt for most common residential applications.
Among the benefits of LG RESU batteries is they can be used in both off-grid and hybrid setups.
It's also a compact battery thanks to the use of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) technology, but NMC tends to have a shorter cycle life and degrades more rapidly than chemistries such as Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4/LFP).
One of the drawbacks of the non-Prime RESU battery is it is warranted to 45ºC ambient temperature (50ºC for the Prime) - but this is only problematic in some parts of Australia (although "some" is growing due to climate change impacts).
While on the topic of weather, these batteries are IP55 rated, so they can be installed outdoors as well as indoors.
Hybrid inverter compatibility for the RESU LV range includes selected models from Sungrow, GoodWe, Selectronic, Solis and LG's LGES-5048. Inverter compatibility for the Prime range is the SMA SBS5.0 and General Electric GEH5-10kW
For more specifications on various RESU models, check out our battery storage comparison table.
LG Enblock
Unlike the Resu range, the Enblock E battery features lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells; widely regarded as a superior chemistry in terms of stability and safety.
The Enblock E will be available (expected in Q4 2024) in 12.4kWh (usable capacity) or 15.5kWh, but 9.3kWh is possible with selected inverters. Note that retrofitting an additional storage module can only be done up to two years after commissioning of the original system.
Enblock E systems are comprised of 28.5-kilogram 3.1 kWh battery packs and a 6-kilogram battery protection unit (BPU). The 12.4 kWh version consists of four battery packs and a BPU, and the 15.5 kWh version has five battery packs and a BPU.
The Enblock E can deliver up to 7.7kW of peak power output (6.4kW for the 12.4kWh model) and has a small footprint of 451 x 330mm. Its operating temperature range is -10°C to 45°C (charging) and -20°C to 45°C (discharging) and it has an ingress rating of IP55.
For a new solar system, Enblock can be added with DC coupling, or AC coupled for a retrofit to an existing solar system. It will be compatible with selected hybrid inverters from Fronius, SMA, Goodwe, Sungrow and Solis.
LG Battery Warranty Information
The LG RESU has a 10 year warranty as does the Enblock, but we haven't sighted the Australian Enblock warranty document as yet. The company also warrants its batteries will retain at least 60% of storage capacity for either 10 years after the date of the initial installation or for a minimum energy throughput that varies according to model - whichever comes first.
Conclusion
While a manufacturer warranty is only good if the company is around to honour it, LG has been around a long time and there's nothing to indicate that won't continue. But the recall handling hasn't inspired confidence.
If you're one of the many Australian LG RESU owners, others considering a purchase would be curious about your experience - leave a rating and review.
LG Chem Solar Battery Reviews
Bought From: Stored Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Stored Solar Show additional information
One of the worst experiences possible. Took over 12 months to resolve. Replaced LG battery with BYG
First commissioned Solar installation in Sept 2019 with LG RESU10H battery. Battery failed 3 months later - tripping out and would not stay on. Replaced as an RMA 6 wks later. Continuous reports from system of various faults - overvoltage, communication failures, too numerous to mention. Battery did not work as back up for power outages.If grid power was off, we also had no power, even though our wiring setup did NOT allow power to be fed to the grid when there was a blackout. Eventually, in early 2022 (not 2021) I was told by the original installer (not LG) that the battery was subject to a safety recall - note this was the replacement battery after the original failed in 2019. Contacted LG to start recall replacement process and LG advised that replacement would be done by June 2022. Replacement did not arrive so I contacted LG. They advised that there were issues with replacements and they were not able to provide a new ETA. At this point, based on ACCC legislation, it was evident that the LG RESU10H battery met all criteria for goods that are "not fit for purpose" (NFFP). I requested a full refund of the battery cost. LG accepted that NFFP applied and offered a portion of the full cost. LG's view was that we had use of the battery for around 3 years so they applied a warranty type discount. Note that this is contrary to ACCC guidelines. Important - I determined that the battery was NFFP at the start of 2022 and all my subsequent correspondence was on that basis. I asked for my money back only when LG said they had no eta for a replacement. It took till October 2022 for LG to refund the full cost. I used the money to buy a BYD branded battery. Since installation of the BYD in November 2022, we've had no issues. The overvoltage reports have reduced and most importantly, the battery supplies back up power when there is a grid outage. With 42 panels, for around 8 moths a year, our only electricity costs are the AUSNET daily service charge of about 90cents. Answering the above question Day to day - the LG was unreliable, so NOT hassle free. NO, did not charge and discharge for maximum self consumption. Monitoring app is good - SMA portal. When we had the LG, when grid was down, so were we, even when battery was 100% charged. LG battery did NOT work as a backup.
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Doing just fine
After three years and a recent maintenance review our battery appears to be working fine. Our maintenance crew checked for recalls; so far so good.Show additional information
Bought From: Skylight Energy Show additional information
Bought From: Sapphire Solar Show additional information
Bought From: Sunrise Power Solutions Show additional information
Cannot fault it. I am converting to all electric by December and will buy an Enphase 10kW as well to connect to my separate Enphase system of 6.6kW panels. I might have essential circuits backed up to the new battery like fridge, internet, tv, in case our supplier has issues.
Bought From: Amrut Solar Show additional information
Fire risk and not working for 9 months. LG refuse to remove from property!!
Batteries were working fine until voluntary recall. Then initially remotely locked to 75%. With increasing swelling of the cells it was deemed that they pose too high a risk and have been shut down.I have waited patiently for 9 months for 2 X 10resuH batteries.
LG have refused to remove the fire risk from under my house - in fact under the floor of my master bedroom. I have messaged and called them multiple times!
The customer service and contact has been shambolic.
They keep offering to pay for our electricity at 30c/kW (after they've eventually replaced the system - date likely to be a YEAR), but won't give me a date to remove the potential fireballs under my house.
Shame on you.
I want a refund to spend my hard earned cash on technology that won't burst into flame.
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Bought From: Unified Energy Services Show additional information
Bought From: SolarWide Pty Ltd Show additional information
Very poor customer service
My LG Chem battery went into idle mode after LG through SolarEdge uploaded a firmware upgrade. Took LG Chem and SolarEdge 6 hours to notify their customers of the problem. Neither organization have answered their phones or updated their customers on when the system may by rectified.The battery has been off line now for over 48 hours (Friday at around 7:30am) and I can only assume that LG Chem and SolarEdge have thought that their customers can now wait for Monday as their answer system are informing customers that they are in open on weekend.
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Bought From: Home and Energy Sunshine Coast Show additional information
Solar with Battery makes so much sense
We have an 8KW Solar and a 10KW Battery. We also opted for the backup feature allowing the battery to be used in the case of a power outage.The system is hassle free and looks after its self. I monitor the usage from the app provided from the inverter and I could not be happier.
On a sunny day the battery is fully charged by early morning and we then send all the excess to the Grid. When the Solar stops producing the Inverter switches in the battery seamlessly and we draw from that for the rest of the day. Usually we are still discharging the next morning so we have not drawn from the grid at all.
We have had 1 grid power outage and we did not know until I went out to the Shed that is not on the Backup Power and could not turn the light on. All other power in the house ran seamlessly until the power came back on.
I researched the available systems and went with this one because of the Functionality and cost. it has not disappointed at all and i would recommend this battery setup to anybody.
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Bought From: Hielscher Electrical and Communications Pty Ltd Show additional information
12 months in and working well
Seems to deliver as expected. Sometimes thee is a strange low volume high-pitched buzz coming from the battery during discharge. I am advised that this is normal, but it seems odd.Show additional information
On days that are partly cloudy, they can fully charge, then discharge partially during the day and then recharge again. This means they can provide more energy for use - just yesterday battery energy used was 25 kWh due to this multiple charging in one day.
Bought From: All Green Environmental Solutions Show additional information
Bought From: Sunwise Energy PV Show additional information
Bought From: Clipsal Solar Sydney Show additional information
Happy with performance
Battery performance is good. First one did not charge took 2 weeks to get a solution. New one in no problems since 4th year now.Show additional information
Bought From: DQ Electrical Show additional information