What brand of batteries should you buy (or is Tesla your only choice)?
Last Updated: 1st Oct 2024 By Finn Peacock, Chartered Electrical Engineer
When it’s time to pick a battery for your solar system, you might be wondering if Tesla is your only option. Good news, while the Powerwall is a cracker of a battery, there are Tesla alternatives!
We’ve done the heavy lifting to figure out the best batteries you can get in Australia, whether you’re ready to splash some cash or if you’re watching every dollar.
We asked the pros – the installers in the SolarQuotes network – a couple of key questions about which batteries they’d stick in their own homes, both with an unlimited budget and when pinching pennies. Plus, we wanted to know which brands have the top-notch after-sales support. The verdict? Three brands kept popping up, just in different orders depending on the category.
Here’s the Lowdown for 2024:
Top Picks for Home Batteries:
Tesla nabs the gold for its fourth year in a row with the Powerwall. It’s sleek, packs a 13.2 kWh punch, and its inverter plays nice with nearly any solar setup in Australia. Plus, if you’re adding a second Powerwall, it’s cheaper since you only need one control box.
BYD takes silver with its stackable, cobalt-free LiFePo4 ‘B-Box’ batteries. These bad boys start at 5.1 kWh and can beef up to a whopping 66.2 kWh. They’re a match made in heaven with the Fronius GEN24 hybrid inverter.
Sungrow batteries grab bronze with their new stackable battery that’s made a splash. Their system starts at 9.6 kWh and can bulk up with 3.2 kWh additions. Also tied for bronze are SolarEdge batteries. Their Home Battery offers 9.7 kWh of usable storage and can crank 5 kW of continuous power. Both are solid choices if you’re looking to save a few grand compared to Tesla.
Best Bang for Your Buck:
When we flip the script to value, Sungrow leads the pack, followed by Tesla, and BYD bringing up the rear. This just goes to show that good installers stick to what they know works, even on a budget.
After-Sales Support Champions:
And who’s got your back after you’ve handed over your hard-earned cash? This trio – Tesla, Sungrow, and SolarEdge, in that order. Tesla’s remote diagnostics and warranty support have won praises, Sungrow’s Aussie support is outdoing many premium brands, and SolarEdge’s also holding its own in the support stakes.
The Final Word:
Choosing a low-risk home battery seems simpler with these insights. If you want the best and are retrofitting, Tesla’s Powerwall is your go-to. Got a BYD-compatible setup already? Stick with BYD. And if saving a bit of cash sounds appealing, Sungrow’s offerings, especially when paired with their hybrid inverter, present a solid option.
So, there you have it – Tesla’s not your only choice, but it’s definitely a top contender. Whether you’re all about that high-end life or counting every dollar, there’s a battery out there for you.
Our comprehensive, frequently updated Solar Battery Storage Comparison Table has all you need to know about what’s currently on the market in Australia and enables you to compare critical specifications and pricing side-by-side. You can also check out our new solar battery manufacturer reviews section.
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