Solar batteries allow you to store energy generated by your solar panels and use it at night and during blackouts. This increases your self-reliance on clean energy and reduces your dependence on the grid, potentially leading to significant savings.
There are now many solar battery options. In this post, we’ll discuss SunPower Reserve and Energizer battery storage systems.
SunPower Reserve
SunPower, a US company based in the US, has been around since 1985. Its history is associated with high-end solar panel production, but in more recent years, the company has tapped into the solar battery market. It entered the Australian market in 2008 with the acquisition of Solar Sales Pty Ltd. Since then, it has become one of the leading brands in AU’s renewable energy market.
The SunPower Reserve is an all-in-one system with a usable capacity of 10.1 kWh and a power output rating of 5kW. Its cells are LiFEPO4, which makes it safer than others in the market. The Reserve is expandable up to 60kWh.
The SunPower One App provides insights into overall power usage, such as daily consumption habits and the most efficient times to use the stored energy. It also has a 10-year warranty.
Energizer Powerstack
Many are still surprised that Energizer has a whole line of solar products. Energizer is also a US-based company and one of the biggest manufacturers of primary batteries.
One of its batteries is its Powerstack, a hybrid battery featuring a modular design that guarantees a broad range of storage applications. The battery capacity ranges from 5.76 kWh to 9.32 kWh. For those who generate more power, it can be stacked into up to six sub-units. It also has a 10-year warranty.
SunPower Reserve | Energizer Powerstack | |
Capacity | 10.1 kWh | 5.76 kWh – 9.32 kWh |
Battery capacity range | 10.1 kWh – 60.5 kWh | 5.76 kWh – 33.24 kWh |
Hybrid inverter | Yes | Yes |
Battery type | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
Round trip efficiency | >96% | >95% |
Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
Which is the best option?
Capacity
The solar battery capacity is the energy you can store in kilowatt-hours. When the sun is shining, your solar panels generate electricity. Any excess power you don’t use gets stored in your battery for later use. So, the higher the battery capacity, the more sunlight you can capture and the more self-reliant you can be on clean energy.
SunPower Reserve boasts a generous starting usable capacity of 10.1 kWh, a significant amount of stored energy enough to power most Australian homes through the night and during short outages. While Energizer PowerStack offers a modular design, its units start at a lower capacity. This means you’d need multiple units to reach SunPower Reserve’s base capacity, potentially requiring more complex installation and additional space.
Modularity
Modularity is the system’s ability to be expanded in the future. You might want to add more storage capacity as your energy needs or solar panel production increases. The true strength of SunPower Reserve lies in its impressive scalability. It can be seamlessly expanded to 60.5 kWh by adding additional modules. This means you can start with a 10.1 kWh system and easily add more storage as your energy consumption grows or your solar panel system expands.
While Energizer Powerstack has a modular design, expanding beyond its initial capacity requires stacking multiple units. While you can stack up to six units, it could lead to more costs and take up valuable space. Therefore, SunPower Reserve’s modular design provides a more streamlined way to increase your storage capacity in the future, which can be a useful advantage if you anticipate needing more storage down the line.
Reputation
A long history in the solar power industry can be a sign of expertise and reliability. SunPower has been a leading name in the solar industry since 1985. They’ve built a strong reputation for high-quality solar panels and are leveraging that experience in the battery storage market.
While Energizer is a household name for batteries, its entry into the solar storage market is relatively recent. While it may leverage its battery expertise, it lacks the extensive track record in solar power that SunPower offers.
Choosing the right solar battery storage system for your Australian home depends on your needs. If you prioritise high starting capacity and the flexibility to expand later quickly, SunPower Reserve’s impressive 10.1 kWh base capacity and seamless scalability up to 60.5 kWh might be the ideal fit. While Energizer Powerstack offers modularity, its lower starting capacity and potentially more complex expansion process might need to be more efficient for those seeking a robust and adaptable solution.
