As the energy market continues to rapidly change and develop, the interest in solar energy storage or solar batteries, continues to peak among many Aussies. But as more solar brands and models come into play, finding the right energy storage solution for your home can feel a little daunting, especially while trying to grapple the ins and outs of solar battery efficiency and capacity.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best home solar battery systems available in Australia right now. Comparing factors such as off-grid capabilities, size and capacity, we run you through some of the key brands and solar battery retailers you should have in mind when thinking of a solar battery system for your home.
It’s important to note however, that this advice is only general in nature. Before making any purchase decisions, it’s best to get in contact with a licenced solar installer to discuss which options would be best suited to your home and circumstances.
To see some of the best solar batteries in Australia for 2023, check out the list below. To learn more about each relevant brand, click on the links below.
What are the best solar batteries in Australia?
- Overall Best Battery: Tesla Powerwall 2
- Best Battery – Capacity: RedFlow ZCell
- Best Battery – Off-Grid: BYD Premium LVS
- Best Battery – Small Size: Enphase IQ Battery
- Best Battery – Large Size: SunGrow SBR HV
- Best Battery – Hybrid: sonnen Hybrid 9.53
Overall Best Battery: Tesla Powerwall 2
There’s no doubt that if you’ve been on the hunt for a solar battery for a while, you’ll be familiar with the Tesla Powerwall 2. Arguably one of the best deep cycle batteries for solar on the market, this model is well known for its high efficiency, capacity and its ability to be seamlessly added to an existing or new system. Despite carrying a higher price tag than most models on the market, this unit still stands as one of the best for energy storage, especially thanks to its very high weather rating, allowing it to withstand extreme temperatures in outdoor settings. The Tesla Powerwall 2 also comes with a warranty of 10 years.
Price Estimate: $13,000-$15,000*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 13.5kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- AC Coupled, meaning it can be added to an existing solar system without any extra parts
- Large size battery with high usable capacity (90%)
- Can run in conjunction with up to 10 other Powerwall units within a home
What to look out for:
- One of the most expensive on the market
- Requires additional ‘Tesla gateway box’ in order to enable back-up power in the case of a power outage
- Not compatible with other solar batteries
Best Battery – Capacity: RedFlow ZCell
When it comes to a battery with high capacity, you can’t look past the RedFlow ZCell. Built using a flow design, this battery uses a Zinc Bromine liquid to run the system, making it more durable to discharge energy at full capacity than other lithium-ion based batteries. One of the smallest of its kind, the RedFlow ZCell is able to run at 100% capacity at all times and can be seamlessly integrated within an existing or new system. The ZCell also comes with 24/7 web-based battery monitoring which can be accessed via a laptop or smartphone. As is standard with most battery models, the RedFlow ZCell comes with 10 years warranty and can be coupled up with multiple other ZCell’s for a larger storage capacity. RedFlow’s batteries are also made from materials that are easily recyclable and reusable.
Price Estimate: $12,000-$13,000*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 10kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- Zinc Bromide flow battery, meaning it can use 100% of capacity every time, without damaging battery – which should allow the storage capacity to remain steady over its lifetime
- Well-suited to off-grid energy usage, with a ‘hibernation mode’ that allows the battery to maintain its charge until it’s restarted
- Can be installed within an existing or new solar system
What to look out for:
- Quite expensive to install
- Not suited to indoor installation
- Higher price tag than average battery
Solar Energy Plans
Some energy providers will offer specific electricity plans to customers with solar panels that come with a higher feed-in tariff than other market offers. Below are some of the solar energy plans available in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Best Battery – Off-Grid: BYD Premium LVS
If you’re looking for a solar battery system with enough horse power to keep your home afloat without aid from the grid, it’s probably worth checking out the BYD Premium LVS. This battery has a speciality modular design which allows its size and capacity to be expanded upon, simply by adding additional modules. With the capability to generate up to 256kWh, when 16 battery stands are integrated together parallel, this storage system is more than reliable enough to power a home looking to ease into self-sufficient power. BYD Premium LVS batteries also come with a 10 year warranty and are suitable for outdoor installation.
Price: $3,000-$20,000 (depending on size)*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- Modular battery so capacity can easily be expanded by adding extra battery modules
- Well suited for off-grid power usage
- Ideal for outdoor installation
- Be Connect app available for system monitoring
What to look out for:
- Quite a large vertical system, will need additional space
- Cannot be used with other battery models
- To be used in conjunction with compatible inverter (Fronius, SMA, Sungrow, Goodwe, Kostal, Solis, Kaco, Ingeteam, Solar Edge, Schneider Electric, Selectronic and Victron Energy)
Best Battery – Small Size: Enphase IQ Battery
For a small sized battery with a reasonable price tag, it doesn’t get much better than the Enphase IQ Battery. With low upfront costs, high efficiency and real time monitoring available through the Enphase Enlighten app, this model is considered to be a suitable storage unit for homeowners just making their way into the battery space. Plus, with its smaller size and easy integration with existing systems and batteries, Enphase battery storage allows homeowners to play around with its systems and see what works best for them, without the need to commit to a larger, pricey system first. The Enphase IQ Battery also comes with a 10-15 year warranty (depending on the size).
Price: $2,000-$10,000 (depending on size)*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 3, 5, 10kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- Modular design, meaning that you can add extra batteries if extra storage capacity is needed
- Cheaper price point than other comparable batteries
- Enphase App has a storm guard feature that detects approaching storms and automatically charges the battery to full capacity
What to look out for:
- Can’t mix and match older generation battery tech with new generation battery tech
- The older generation batteries may have weaker power output when compared with other batteries of a similar size
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Best Battery – Large Size: SunGrow SBR HV
If your home churns through power like there’s no tomorrow, you’ll probably need quite a large and reliable solar battery. And, when it comes to high-capacity residential home batteries, you can’t overlook the SunGrow SBR HV. An up-and-coming model in the Australian market, this modular range allows households to store more than the popular 13kWh Powerwall 2 and for half the price. Plus, with back-up protection capabilities, you can rest assured that in the event of a blackout, the SunGrow SBR HV battery will be able to keep the lights on and the kettle boiling. The SunGrow SBR HV comes with a five year product warranty, however this can be extended to 10 years.
Price: $9,000-$12,000 (depending on size)*
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes Available: 9.6, 12.8, 16, 19.2, 22.4, 25.6kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- Capable of being used off-grid
- Modular design, allowing for extra storage to be added
- Suitable for outdoor installation
What to look out for:
- Can only be used in conjunction with compatible inverters (Sungrow)
- Up to four stacks of eight modules can be used in parallel
- Smaller product warranty than other models
Best Battery – Hybrid: sonnen Hybrid 9.53
Hybrid battery models are great for seamlessly integrating a battery into either a new or existing solar panel system. Arguably one of the best solar battery storage models in this criteria is the sonnen Hybrid 9.53. Containing both a high efficiency solar inverter and battery system, the Hybrid 9.53 is able to effectively store and convert solar energy for use in any sized home, forgoing the need for an additional inverter to be installed. Coming in sizes up to 15kWh, with modular expansion available for future growth, sonnen’s battery is not only safe and reliable, but also environmentally sustainable, thanks to its cobalt-free design. Plus, the Hybrid 9.53 is covered by a 10 year warranty.
Price estimate: $8,000-$14,000
*This estimate does not factor in installation costs
Sizes available: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15kWh
What’s good about this battery:
- Hybrid system; contains an inverter as well as battery storage
- Modular system; can be expanded upon
- Can be integrated into an existing solar panel system
What to look out for:
- Need to add sonnenProtect to ensure protection during blackouts or off-grid
- Higher price tag than most battery systems
- Cannot be covered by warranty if not connected to the internet for software updates and real-time monitoring
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Should I get a solar battery with my solar panels?
While there are certainly some financial benefits to be had from installing a solar battery, whether or not your household should add a battery to your solar panel system will depend entirely upon your energy usage and personal circumstance. If you are hoping to slash a few dollars off your energy bills with your battery and tap into more of your generated solar energy during all hours of the day, then it may be worth adding a battery system to your home.
It’s important to keep in mind however, that solar batteries are quite a significant financial investment, and there is no guarantee that within the standard 10-year warranty time frame that your system will be able to make its money back. Even with the aid of a government solar rebate or grant, the upfront costs involved with solar battery installation are still quite high. That’s why it’s best to do your research and shop around for quotes before making a purchase decision.
Image credit: Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock.com, Tesla website, Redflow website, BYD battery box website, Enphase website, Origin Energy website, sonnen website.
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