A solar battery storage can ensure you get the most out of the sun’s energy to power your home, even at night and during a blackout. Its technology lets you store excess solar energy generated during the day for use during the night or power outages. This translates to reduced reliance on the grid, increased self-sufficiency, and peace of mind knowing you have backup power—a big advantage here in Australia.
Today, there are many battery options available, and choosing the right one can be tricky. In this post, we’ll tackle two of the leading contenders — the Enphase IQ 5P and the Tesla Powerwall 3.
Enphase IQ 5P battery
Founded in California in 2006, Enphase designs and manufactures solar energy products for homes and businesses. They expanded into the Asia Pacific region in 2013, entering the Australian solar market and marking a significant step in their global reach.
The Enphase IQ batteries are popular among installers, and one of them is the Enphase IQ 5P. There are three models of Enphase IQ but the most recent one is the IQ 5P. The IQ Battery 5P is an all-in-one AC-coupled system with a usable energy capacity of 5.0 kWh with a continuous power of 3.84 kW.
When installed with the IQ System Controller, it can be installed in any combination of up to 40 kWh, which could result in a power output of 30.72 kW.
The IQ 5P is equipped with six microinverters, each of which can generate 640W of continuous power. Each microinverter only accounts for a little over 16% of the output of the battery. That said, the battery can still operate even if one or more microinverters fail.
Its software and firmware updates can be done remotely, via the Enphase App. Additionally, its Storm Guard feature monitors data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and will charge the battery automatically to help homeowners prepare for possible outages due to severe weather events. It comes with a 15-year limited warranty.
Tesla Powerwall 3
Beyond its well-known electric vehicles (EVs) and its outspoken CEO, Elon Musk, Tesla is a major player in renewable energy, offering solar battery storage solutions alongside its electric vehicles (EVs). But does its solar battery live up to the hype?
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is the latest among their line of solar batteries. Although it has yet to be released in Australia, many are already interested in getting it. The Powerwall 3 is an all-in-one solar and battery energy storage system with a more compact design. It features 6 MPPTs, allowing a maximum of 20kW of solar. Additionally, it is expandable with up to three 13.5 kWh battery units that can be DC-coupled for a combined total of 54 kWh. It comes with a ten-year warranty.
Homeowners can view and monitor their energy usage, and analyse and compare data via the Tesla App. They can also customise it to align with their energy goals via different control mode settings.
Enphase IQ 5P | Tesla Powerwall 3 | |
Capacity | 5 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
Continuous power output | 3.84 kW | 11.5 kW |
Round-trip AC efficiency | 90% | 89% |
Battery | LiFePO4 | Lithium-ion |
Weight | 174 lbs | 287 lbs |
Which is the best option?
Capacity
The Enphase IQ 5P has a storage capacity of 5 kWh, while the Tesla Powerwall 3 offers 13.5 kWh. Looking at it, it seems that the Tesla Powerwall has more capacity, which makes it a no-brainer for homeowners and business owners looking to power their homes during an outage. On the other hand, the IQ 5P features a stackable design to allow homeowners to build a modular storage system. It’s ideal for those who want to get “just the right” capacity for their home.
Although a single Powerwall can handle a higher peak compared to a single IQ 5P, getting two 5Ps can double the peak and get a more sustained draw from 2 5P batteries. It’s also worth noting that the Tesla Power 3 is a hybrid inverter battery that is only suitable for new solar systems.
Battery chemistry
The Enphase IQ 5P battery is equipped with a LiFePO4 battery, while the Powerwall 3 has a Lithium-ion battery. This makes Enphase a more suitable option as LiFePO4 batteries are safer due to the strong covalent bonds between the iron, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms in the cathode. It makes the bonds more stable and less prone to thermal runaway and overheating. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries have a reputation for a higher risk of battery fires.
Warranty
Enphase offers a 15-year limited warranty, which is five years longer than Tesla’s 10-year warranty. This provides greater peace of mind knowing your battery is covered for a longer period.
Customer support
In any product that you purchase for your home, especially one that relies on technology and power, you want to be able to reach out to customer support easily. Enphase has an excellent customer service compared to Tesla. For one, Enphase is solely focused on solar energy products, while Tesla has a broader range. Therefore, this allows Enphase to dedicate more resources and expertise to customer service for their solar products.
Additionally, Enphase is a smaller company compared to Tesla. Smaller companies are often more responsive to customer needs. Finally, Enphase relies on a network of certified installers. These installers might have a more personalised touch in dealing with customer concerns compared to potentially larger-scale interactions with Tesla.
While both Enphase IQ 5P and Tesla Powerwall 3 offer strong battery storage solutions, the Enphase system might be a better fit for some Australian homes. Its focus on reliable backup power, built-in microinverter technology, and weather-aware features could be particularly beneficial depending on your energy needs and local climate. Remember to consider factors like warranty length and desired capacity when making your final decision.
Energy Matters has been in the solar industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
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