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The 5 Best Solar Batteries (2024 Guide)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 06/23/2024

Solar-powered batteries store excess electricity for use at night, during power outages, or when utility rates are high. They help expand your solar energy system’s efficiency and offer additional long-term energy savings.

Our team spent 50 hours researching the best solar batteries from the best solar companies and leading home battery manufacturers. We picked the Palmetto as our top choice. However, the best battery for your home will depend on your energy needs, budget, and other preferences. Learn more about our complete list of the best solar batteries for homeowners.


The 5 Best Solar Batteries

Here are the best solar batteries based on our research:


Key Differences in Solar Batteries

  • Continuous power rating: This rating represents how long a battery can provide continuous power. The higher the rating, the better the power production. The industry standard is 5 kilowatts (kW) of continuous power.
  • Depth of discharge: Depth of discharge (DoD) measures how much of the battery can be used relative to its full capacity. Battery manufacturers typically limit DoD to protect the battery’s longevity. A higher DoD indicates a better-quality battery. 
  • End-of-life capacity: This measurement indicates how much storage capacity will remain at the end of your battery’s warranty. The standard end-of-warranty capacity is 60% of the battery’s listed capacity. Look for battery storage solutions that meet or exceed this level.
  • Coupling: Different coupling configurations work better with certain home solar systems. Alternating current (AC) coupled batteries work as an add-on to existing systems. Direct current (DC) coupled batteries integrate into a new solar system. 
  • Modular design: A modular battery connects in a series to create a larger energy storage system. You can add or subtract modular batteries to best suit your energy needs. Some companies offer stand-alone or modular battery options. 
  • Round-trip efficiency: Round-trip efficiency measures the amount of electricity that remains after charging the battery, as the process uses some stored energy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA), the industry average is around 80%. 
  • Warranty clause: Most battery manufacturers have warranty clauses outlining the number of cycles or throughput your battery can reach in its lifetime. A cycle is the process of your battery fully charging and discharging. Throughput measures the total energy your battery can generate in its lifetime. When you reach either of these clause limits, your warranty will end.

Our Solar Battery Top Picks

Sunrun

4.5

We like Sunrun for its four financing options, including its unique leasing options if you don’t want to own your system. This stands out to us because the other companies on this list don’t offer as many options.

Prepaid and leased systems also include a 25-year warranty with system service and maintenance, ongoing monitoring, and theft insurance. The company even offers financing plans for quality monocrystalline solar panels and products from trusted brands such as LG.

How We Scored Sunrun

Sunrun earned 4.4 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. The company gained many points for its positive reputation, comprehensive leasing options, and well-rounded warranty coverage. It lost some points for is limited service selection.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (15 out of 25 points): Sunrun provides solar panel and battery installation but uses third-party installers. Though this is becoming an industry standard, in-house installers typically yield better communication and quality. The company also doesn’t provide roofing services or energy audits but does offer quality active monitoring assistance. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): Sunrun offers quality warranties, such as its 25-year manufacturer and labor warranty, but doesn’t include a performance guarantee. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Sunrun has one of the higher customer BBB ratings we’ve encountered, and the company maintains an overall positive customer reputation online.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): The company doesn’t offer any in-house financing but provides more warranty coverage for customers interested in solar leasing than other providers, such as Palmetto.
  • Industry Experience (9 out of 10 points): Sunrun holds 17 years of experience in the solar industry, making it a veteran compared to a newer company such as Blue Raven Solar.
  • State Availability (8 out of 10 points): The company only serves 18 states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets Provides EV and solar battery solutions Cons Limited online information on solar incentive disqualification with leases Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers Varies solar battery availability by state

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
PPA

State Availability

Available in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Reputation and Reviews

The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.

Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited. Former customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers. Additionally, some customers note being confused by Sunrun’s leasing and PPA options, though they also mention Sunrun is willing to discuss and clarify these plans.

Solar Energy World

4.4

Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.

Roughly 11% of our surveyed solar users purchased their system from Solar Energy World.

How We Scored Solar Energy World

SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department. 
  • Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands Includes free active monitoring Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers Cons Reviews mention communication issues with staff Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

State Availability

Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia

Reputation and Reviews

The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.

The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.

Blue Raven Solar

4.4

Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.

Out of all solar brands in the market, 6.5% of our survey respondents chose Blue Raven.

How We Scored Blue Raven Solar

Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof leak coverage.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn’t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services. 
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn’t provide any roof leak coverage. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn’t ensure they’re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.
  • Financing Options (12 out of 15 points): Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you’re looking for a lease or PPA.
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Reputation and Reviews

Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.

Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company’s financing department and third-party installers.

Read our review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.

LG Chem RESU

Best Availability
4.6

LG Chem RESU

Best Availability
4.6

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


Types of Solar Batteries

Solar batteries have different chemistries that provide varying advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at the two most common battery types: lead-acid and lithium-ion. 

Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries have a long history in the solar industry. They’re deep-cycle batteries, which are designed to be drained of their capacity regularly. These batteries are larger, heavier, and take longer to charge than lithium. They also have a shorter life span. Lead-acid batteries aren’t popular for residential systems but are often used for off-grid installations, especially vacation properties. 

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are more compact than lead-acid batteries, making them ideal for smaller homes and tight spaces. They also last longer and charge quicker. There are two main types of lithium batteries: lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP).

NMC batteries are the most common lithium variety. They use an older but trusted technology. NMC batteries are cheaper to make and have average power ratings. LFP batteries have newer chemistry that retains stored energy more efficiently. These batteries have a higher power rating but cost more to produce. LFP batteries are also safer than NMC options because they don’t contain cobalt, which can cause fires if the batteries are misused. LFP modules are recyclable and better for the environment.


How To Choose a Solar Battery

Here are some key factors to consider as you search for the ideal battery storage system. 

AC- and DC-Coupling

Your solar power system generates direct current (DC) electricity that must be converted to alternating current (AC) to use in your home. An AC-coupled system converts energy to AC at the inverter, converts it back to DC for storage, and converts it to AC again when it’s ready to be used. In a DC-coupled system, energy is converted only once.

AC-coupled batteries can easily be added to existing solar panel systems, including Tesla solar systems, but provide lower efficiency than DC-coupled batteries because some energy is lost during the conversion process. DC-coupled batteries are more efficient and can pull energy from solar panels even when the grid is down. They’re ideal for new solar systems but are complicated to install and can increase the cost of installing a solar system in your home.

Battery Capacity

Battery capacity is the amount of power a solar battery can store. It’s measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The usable capacity represents how much energy can be used from the battery. This number is lower than the battery’s actual capacity because some energy must be used to run the battery.  

It’s essential to match your battery capacity to the amount of energy your solar system generates. You’ll waste that valuable extra energy if your solar battery system is too small, but you won’t use your battery’s full capacity if it is oversized based on your solar power output. We recommend working with a professional solar or battery installer to find the right backup system for your home.

Cost

Solar battery costs vary based on several factors, including brand, chemistry, and size. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the average solar battery costs around $16,007 but can increase to $18,791 with added installation fees and permitting. 

State and federal solar incentives could help reduce battery system costs during installation. Some areas offer battery-specific rebates or credits to homeowners. The federal solar tax credit reduces costs by up to 30% for new solar systems or stand-alone battery installations. We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for an up-to-date list of incentives in your area. 

Depth of Discharge

The industry standard is 80%–100% for lithium-ion batteries and 50% for lead-acid options. Many manufacturers limit DoD because repeatedly draining a battery of its full capacity shortens its life span while discharging at a lower percentage preserves it.

Power Rating

Power ratings measure the amount of electricity produced in a given time, expressed in kilowatts (kW). Batteries with a higher power rating can run several high-power appliances at once. There are two types of power ratings: peak and continuous. 

  • Continuous power: The amount of energy a battery can produce in a certain period. Our reviews focus on this metric over peak power because it better measures how long your battery can effectively power your home.
  • Peak power: The maximum amount of power a battery can produce instantly.

Batteries with a low capacity but a high power rating can power devices in short bursts but don’t provide long-term power. Batteries with high capacity but a low power rating can run small devices for much longer.

Round-Trip Efficiency

A higher percentage means less power loss from charging, indicating a more efficient battery bank. You’ll waste less energy with an efficient solar energy storage system.  

Warranty

Solar batteries have a standard 10-year warranty. Some manufacturers add throughput or cycle clauses that may end the warranty early. Review the batteries’ warranty terms and find options with higher thresholds. 

You should also review the end-of-warranty terms for projected capacity. The more solar batteries are charged and recharged, the less effective they become.


Compare the Best Solar Batteries

Here’s a breakdown of the key features of top solar battery picks:

BatteryOur RatingUsable CapacityContinuous Power RatingDepth of Discharge (DoD)Round-Trip EfficiencyWarranty

Tesla Powerwall 2

Best Warranty

13.5 kWh

5.8 kW

100%

90%

10 years, unlimited cycles

Sonnen

Best Add-On Battery

10 kWh–30 kWh (varies by model)

4.8 kW–14.4 kW (varies by model)

100%

81.60%–85.80% (varies by model)

10 to 15-year warranty, or 10,000–15,000 cycles (varies by model)

Enphase IQ

Best for System Monitoring

3.36 kWh–10.08 kWh (varies by model)

3.84 kW

96%

100%

10 to 15-year warranty, 4,000–6,000 cycles (varies by model)

Generac PWRcell

Best Customization

9 kWh–18 kWh (varies by model)

3.4 kW–6.7 kW (varies by model)

84%

97%

10 years, 7.56 MWh throughput clause per battery module (varies by model)

LG Chem RESU

Best Availability

9.8 kWh–16 kWh (varies by model)

5.0 kW–7.0 kW (varies by model)

95%

95%

10 years, throughput clauses between 22.4–54 MWh throughput clause (varies by model)

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
4.4
25–30 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
No results were found.

Our Conclusion

The Tesla Powerwall costs over $10,000 but it’s our top pick as it’s an excellent choice for those who want solid battery performance with a long warranty. The Sonnen Eco offers easy integration into new or existing solar systems. We recommend working with a professional solar or battery installer to find the right solar storage system for your needs. Compare at least three solar batteries before making your final purchase.

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FAQ About Solar Batteries

How do I choose the right solar battery?

You should consider several factors when choosing a solar battery. The battery needs to be large enough to store and discharge your energy effectively. You should also consider your backup power needs, how many high-power appliances are in your home, and whether you’re a new or existing solar customer. A solar battery or panel installer can review your energy usage and select the best battery for your home. 

What are the benefits of a solar battery?

Solar batteries store excess energy generated by your solar panels to use at night, on low-sunlight days, or during power outages. They’re an excellent alternative to a net-metering program, which pays customers to sell excess energy back to their utility company. Without a solar battery, you miss out on additional long-term energy savings.

What is the best solar battery?

Lithium-ion batteries are considered the best solar battery option for most homeowners. Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) are the most common lithium varieties. There are more NMC batteries available since it’s an older technology, but LFP options are becoming more popular.

Can I install a solar battery myself?

No, we don’t recommend installing a solar battery yourself. Hire a professional solar installer for the best results. 


Our Rating Methodology

We aim to provide comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our recommendations. Our rating system for solar batteries is on a 100-point scale based on five factors:

  • Depth of discharge (20 points): Does the company disclose its depth of discharge (DoD) rating? Does the DoD meet the industry standard of 80%? The higher the rating, the higher the score. 
  • Round-trip efficiency (20 points): How efficient is the battery? Does it meet or exceed the industry standard of 80%? The higher the round-trip efficiency, the more points we awarded.
  • Battery chemistry (15 points): We awarded more points to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries than Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) batteries due to their higher efficiency and longer lifespan.
  • Battery options (15 points): Are there multiple battery sizes for better customization, or is only one size available? 
  • End-of-warranty capacity (15 points): How powerful will the battery be at the end of its warranty? Does the projected end-of-warranty capacity meet the industry standard of 60%? We awarded more points to batteries with higher end-of-warranty capacities.
  • Warranty length (15 points): How long is the battery’s warranty? Does it meet or exceed the standard 10-year warranty? Batteries with the longest, most comprehensive warranties ranked higher.