Whole House Battery Backup Cost

The Advanced Home Battery Package

The Advanced Battery Package is the perfect option for those looking for a whole home backup. With higher surge and continuous capacity, this is a good option to keep most of your homes items running without much notice of the grid being down.

The details:

• Continuous: ~5.75 kW per inverter
• Batteries: 1-12
• Battery run time: dependent on loads
• Equipment: SMA inverters for solar, SMA Sunny Island for the batteries
• Space requirements: estimated 18 x 24 for the inverter and 22 x 27 per battery
• Installation: batteries are stacked on the floor – up to 3 high

What it will power:

• Potential for whole-house backup
• The system would likely handle the surge capacity of most American homes. More than one inverter may be required.

Some important items to note:

• This package can be installed to work with a generator. When the power is out, Sunny Island will charge the battery with solar first and then switch to the generator. Important: Although this is a great benefit, using a generator to charge your batteries could disqualify the batteries from being included as part of your 30% Federal Tax Credit for Solar.

• This package is designed to run on single phase. Three-phase is available but would require different equipment and the cost would increase.

Advance solar battery storage system cost:

• $35,000+ for two Sunny Islands and two batteries
• $70,000+ for four Sunny Islands and four batteries
• $150,000+ for four Sunny Islands and twelve batteries

Keeping Your Home Powered

As far as how long they can keep your home powered, standby generators easily outperform battery backups. As long as you have enough fuel, generators can run continuously for up to three weeks at a time .

That’s simply not the case with battery backups. Let’s use the Tesla Powerwall as an example. It has 13.5 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, which can provide power for a few hours on its own. You can get extra power out of them if they’re part of a solar panel system or if you use multiple batteries in a single system.

The Lg Chem Battery Warranty

LG Chems warranty promises that its RESU batteries will maintain at least 60% of their initial rated energy storage capacity after 10 years OR before the battery has been used to provide 22.4 megawatt-hours of electricity.

That distinction is important, because if youre fully charging and discharging the battery daily, youll run through that amount of MWh sooner than 10 years. To spread 22.4 MWh over 10 years, youd have to ensure the batteries discharge an average of only 6.14 kilowatt-hours per day, which is 62% of their capacity.

This should be fine for most people, as daily cycling of the battery isnt necessarily the plan. Talk to a licensed installer to find out whether you should expect to use more than 6.14 kWh of battery storage per day.

The warranty doesnt include explicit protections from defects in materials and equipment, which is a fairly major oversight. The warranty implies that LG will repair or replace the battery if its found to be defective, but that doesnt meet a very high standard.

It would be better if LG explicitly guaranteed protection for faults in materials and workmanship for 10 years.

LG Chem says the RESU 10H Prime will retain 70% of rated capacity after 10 years, but other details about the number of cycles or total MWh throughput havent yet been released.

Recommended Reading: 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit With Battery And Inverter

Enphase Battery Vs Tesla Powerwall 2

A solar battery gives you the power to control your homes energy at night, during outages, and even during peak grid electricity prices. With a solar battery, you can store solar energy that your solar panels produce. But which is the right battery for your needs? Sit back and relax, weve got you covered in this handy guide to choosing the right solar battery and the Enphase battery Vs Tesla Powerwall comparison. The Tesla Powerwall 2 which was released in 2016 is contending with the Enphase IQ battery, a premiere Tesla Powerwall alternative.

Heres what were going to get into:

Read Also: Are Solar Panels A Good Idea

Expected Lifespan And Warranty

In most cases, battery backups come with longer warranties than standby generators. However, these warranties are measured in different ways.

Over time, battery backup systems lose the ability to hold a charge, much like phones and laptops. For that reason, battery backups include an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which measures how effective a battery will hold a charge by the end of its warranty period. In Tesla’s case, the company guarantees that the Powerwall battery should retain 70% of its capacity by the end of its 10-year warranty.

Some backup battery manufacturers also offer a “throughput” warranty. This is the number of cycles, hours or energy output that a company guarantees on its battery.

With standby generators, it’s easier to estimate lifespan. Good-quality generators can run for 3,000 hours, as long as they’re well maintained. Therefore, if you run your generator for 150 hours per year, then it should last about 20 years.

Recommended Reading: 2017 Ford Fusion Battery Replacement

Your Electricity Needs During A Power Outage

How long solar battery storage can run your home depends how much electricity you use. And how much electricity you use depends on which appliances and systems youre running.

During a power outage, its recommended to budget electricity for the most necessary things first and then make a plan for the remainder capacity. For many homeowners, the list of priorities includes:

• TV and device charging
• Heating and cooling

Now, heating and cooling is last on the list not because it isnt important, but because these operations take so much electricity theyll likely have to be limited regardless of your battery capacity. So the wise move here is to budget your essentials first, and then get a sense of how much battery capacity is left for heating and cooling.

Note: If you have a gas furnace, you wont need much electricity to keep the heat on.

Lets run through an example scenario of powering essential systems during a 24-hour power outage to get an idea of how much solar and battery capacity youll need.

Use the tables below as an a la carte menu to create your own battery storage budget.

Basic Battery Cost Guide

As a general guide in Australia, a battery system will cost around $1000 per kWh installed, or in the USA its closer to US$700 per kWh. For example, the Tesla Powerwall 2 with 13.5kWh of storage capacity will cost around AU $14,500 fully installed, while the 9.8kWh LG RESU battery will cost closer to $8000 plus the additional costs of a compatible hybrid inverter and installation. There may also be additional costs and switchboard upgrades, especially if dedicated circuits are required to be backed up during a blackout. The battery location is also important and some households may require dedicated enclosures or covers to be installed to help protect the battery from extreme weather and direct sunlight which could result in overheating and shutdown. In some cases, the warranty may be void if the battery is not installed in a semi-protected location.

Read Also: How To File For Sole Custody In Ga

Recommended Reading: How Many Volts For Car Battery

What Is The Cost Of A Home Battery System

The price of home battery systems varies depending on their size , measured in kilowatt hours in addition to the type of hybrid or solar inverter used. The typical household battery costs $4000 for a small , 4kWh or larger battery and $15,000 for a larger 13kWh one, depending on the kind of battery is being used, the location the location where it is installed as well as the amount of backup power that is required, and the inverter theyre using. Although costs have been decreasing slowly, they are not dropping as fast as some would like.

An average home with three bedrooms uses approximately 20kWh per day. Some of that energy can be utilized during the day and could be powered directly through solar. A 10kWh battery of moderate size is enough to last for the evening and during the day. Every household is unique and the patterns of use for each household will vary. A smaller battery of 5-6 kWh might be appropriate for those who are more aware of energy and make use of efficient appliances. It also provides sufficient power for running basic devices like computers and lighting.

What Is The Tesla Powerwall

Known for its advancements in electric vehicles, Tesla expanded into solar energy in the mid-2010s. It introduced the Tesla Powerwall in 2015 as battery storage for solar energy.

Solar batteries lower your electricity bill by allowing you to use your stored energy instead of the power grid. The Powerwall comes in two models: the Tesla Powerwall 2 and Powerwall+. Both models store excess energy generated by solar energy systems. This energy can be used on low sunlight days, at night, or during a power outage. Combined with high-quality solar panels, solar batteries allow homeowners to maximize their energy savings and production.

Don’t Miss: Tesla Battery Replacement Cost Model S

Gain Energy Independance With A Brightbox Home Battery

Save your solar power with battery storage for when you need it most. Not only can a home solar battery offer backup energy, but it can also optimize your solar savings based on your utility charges.1 As more homeowners go solar, battery storage will be the key to long-term savings.2 When you choose a Brightbox battery, youre choosing peace of mind.

You only have to turn on the news to know that storms are getting worse,3 and infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable weather.4 With Sunrun Brightbox, you can boost your energy independence with solar storage that puts you in control.

Lights: 1 Kwh Per Day

Compared to larger appliances, lights require very little electricity, especially if you have compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Even at the high end, a 38W LED bulb or 150 W incandescent bulb uses just 0.038 kWh per hour.

So if you budget 1 kWh of battery storage per day to lighting, you could run 26 bulbs for 1 hour each more than enough to provide light for trips to the bathroom, closet, and getting ready for bed.

Remaining battery budget: 6 kWh

Recommended Reading: Where Is Chevy Cobalt Battery

Cost Of Solar Batteries

There are many factors that affect the cost of solar power batteries. These include power ratings, depth-of-discharge, round-trip efficiency and warranties. The biggest cost factor is capacity. The larger the solar battery, the greater the price.

When calculating the cost of batteries, a handy formula is to calculate the cost per kilowatt-hour . Usually, this ranges from $400 to $750. Thus, a typical solar battery for a residential unit cost between $10,000 and $20,000, including installation costs. If multiple batteries are needed, then the cost will increase.

Here are the costs of the top three brands of solar batteries available in the market:

Panasonic Evervolt Home Battery

This home battery backup system is compatible with any existing residential solar system, and has a power capacity up to 17.1 kWh. The EverVolt comes in four different variants: two AC-coupled and two DC-coupled modules. Choosing the correct one for you depends on whether you are connecting your battery to a new or existing solar system. This system is also very scalable. Each variant has a modular design allowing it to stack up to 102 kWh of power output to provide electricity to your entire home. The EverVolt features a remote control and online app so you can closely monitor your batterys performance and energy consumption.

Read our full review of the Panasonic EverVolt Home battery here for more details.

Recommended Reading: Battery Change Nissan Key Fob

Best Integrated Solar System: Tesla Powerwall

Courtesy of Tesla

Power: 13 kWh | Dimensions: 62.8 x 29.7 x 6.3 inches | Warranty: 10-year limited for Powerwall+, 25-year for solar panels or solar roof

The name is instantly recognizable, and its sleek aesthetic means this storage system fits into any design, indoors or out. The AC-coupled battery backup is included when you purchase solar tiles or solar roof tiles .

Both panels and tiles have a 25-year warranty, and youll be able to provide whole home or partial home backup depending on how many Powerwalls you install. For example, one panel typically is able to power lights, outlets, and small appliances but no large appliances. Two panels generally can accommodate a range, some central air conditioning units, and electric vehicle charging. The units can be wall or floor-mounted, and you can stack up to 10 Powerwalls for whole home backup. The app allows you to manage and monitor the system.

Can I Install A Battery Backup If I Already Have Solar

Yes, in most circumstances, you can. A battery backup system can retrofit most existing home solar systems. In this case, a homeowner will usually have a few different brands that make up their solar electric system. Contact us, and we will be able to tell you if your current solar configuration supports adding a battery backup.

Don’t Miss: Battery For Lexus Key Fob

How Much Does The Tesla Powerwall Cost

Jump to: What is the Tesla Powerwall? | Cost | Key Features and Specs | Buying the Powerwall | How to Save | Our Recommendation | FAQs | Methodology

Tesla Energys top-tier technology has turned it into one of the best solar companies. Among its most popular offerings is the Tesla Powerwall, a solar battery that stores excess energy for use at night, during power outages, and on low sunlight days. However, it comes with a premium price tag.

This guide breaks down the Powerwalls cost and features to help you determine if its worth the investment.

Solar Backup Battery Types

There are over half a dozen types of batteries in the solar market to store excess energy. The most common battery types for residential solar systems are lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels or solar roof shingles can all use solar batteries.

• Lead-acid solar batteries: Lead-acid batteries tend to cost less than other types and are older technology. They also tend to have larger dimensions than newer types of batteries. Lead-acid batteries normally have a lower DoD and need to be recharged often. These types of batteries arent common for homeowners who want to power their homes with solar energy every day but can work well as a backup solution in the event of a power outage. The two varieties of lead-acid batteries areflooded lead-acid battery and sealed lead-acid battery.The former has a longer lifespan but requires periodic maintenance, while the latter does not need frequent upkeep.

• Lithium-ion solar battery: Lithium-ion batteries are newer than lead-acid and are normally smaller and lighter. They also tend to have a longer DoD and a minimum lifespan of 10 years. Another plus of lithium-ion batteries is that they are lower maintenance than many of the alternatives.

You May Like: Iphone Xr Battery Replacement Cost

Thinking Of Getting A Solar Battery Backup We Can Help

Now is an excellent time to invest in a solar battery backup system for your home, and Sandbar Solar is here to help.

Our team has over 15 years of experience designing battery systems and can install new battery systems or retrofit existing solar panel systems for a battery backup.

We service homes and businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or take the first step toward your battery backup system.

About the Author

Scott Laskey is the founder of Sandbar Solar & Electric. With a Bachelors Degree in Economics from UC San Diego, Scott has an NABCEP certification, and has lectured on and taught many high-tech construction practices and solar PV technical concepts to education institutions, including Stanford University and state-recognized electrician apprenticeship programs. Scott enjoys sharing his knowledge of the evolving renewable energy space and making a difference in his community.

Solar Battery Storage System Prices

Uninstalled, battery systems can cost anywhere from $800 to $10,000. Generally speaking, solar systems that can power an entire home cost between $5,000 to $7,000.

The price of your system will largely depend on the kilowatt-hours to power your home or appliance. Expect to pay between $400/kWh to $750/kWh. For example, you might pay between $5,600 and $10,500 for a battery with 14 kWh of storage and around $2,000 to $3,800 for a five-kWh battery.

Read Also: Positive And Negative On Car Battery

Benefits Of Having A Solar Panel System With Home Battery Backup

Like all photovoltaic solar panels, this system generates clean, free energy from the sun. The system uses this to charge a bank of battery backups for solar panels.

During the day, the solar energy is used to power your homes systems. Any excess energy generated by your solar panel system is sold and sent onto the utility grid.

At night or during cloudy days, your home uses electricity from the home battery backup to meet your demands.

When the grid fails, your home battery backup system kicks in and runs the essential appliances and systems connected to the backup. That way you never lose power to key components during an outage.

Flex Energy Storage System

This is a market still in its infancy. Only about 900 home battery storage installations were connected to the U.S. electrical grid in 2016, according to industry analyst Brett Simon of GTM Research. But GTM projects home battery storage in the U.S. will grow roughly 200-fold in the next five years, with costs coming down as electric cars spur major improvements in battery manufacturing.

In Massachusetts, theres no program yet for the power companies to supply themselves from customer batteries, but its still a beautiful, self-sufficient thing to make solar on your roof, store it locally, and use it, says Rob Meyers of South Mountain Company, who uses Sonnen Eco 10 batteries in high-end solar designs for homes in Marthas Vineyard, where power outages are not uncommon. Were appealing at this point to people who fall in love with the cool new technology.

Shown: Flex Energy Storage System, starts at $7,000

Flex is a solar generator alternative to traditional standby generators. Custom price quotes include permitting, installation, batteries, and solar panels, and may be eligible in full for solar tax credits. Flex is dedicated to backup , and does not feed excess solar power back to the grid.

You May Like: Whole House Battery Back Up