Top 5 Best Solar Batteries for 2023

[@philmarsh7723]

I went with 20KWh Enphase storage. 20KWh worth of batteries gives a nice buffer for cloudy days and power outages. More battery energy storage also allows one to cycle your batteries less for dealing with time of use (TOU) and improved battery lifetime. A cloudy day won't drain your battery for TOU arbitration so you virtually never have to pay the high rate. More batteries allow for higher peak power drain and charge. I think one should size your batteries so that the max output of your panel array is less than or equal to the max charge rate of your battery system.

[@lilredcummins]

Excellent comparison Joe. I watch all of your videos and feel I am getting closer to going solar and battery back up with each episode.

[@dennydewaal137]

I went for a 35kwh 646ah 51,2v battery Panasonic ncr18650ga the same as the Tesla model s.. so I can expect the same life experience! 32 years Works great!

[@trdrockwarrior_sport4432]

i already have solar i was bthinking about adding more panels o sat down with a guy from a solar company he quoted me for a tesla battery he told me its 26K ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR Mind

[@michealadams1206]

Thanks Joe for another informative & fantastic video. I & my girlfriend zoom called you once late last year (2022) & I was not able to connect with you since as we wanted to have you provide us with a complete home solar build package including batteries & generator. And we never heard from you or your team again. And recently I tried to connect with you pre-NEM2 (CA) & found out that we would need to spend $199 just to speak with you again!? WHAT???!!! I found this very frustrating even disturbing because we were ready to go forward with you & your company. This 'pay to play/talk was simply to tacky for us when we were ready to spend upwards to $75,000 plus for a complete & off-grid capable system. This is from 'Micheal & Lilian' of San Jose, CA (white guy & asian female). Get back to me anytime, thanks.

[@trentrizza4572]

Franklin is awesome. I got two and but would recommend you get three batteries.

[@JoePolaris]

They offer great level of scale

[@bjs2022]

Excellent presentation, thank you Joe. However, you need help with your recording. First, and easiest, please learn how to set/freeze the manual exposure on your camera to prevent the brightness fluttering. Second, and much more important, you need to deal with the bad room acoustics that results in the hard surface reflected sound getting into your body microphone. You are already positioning the mike fairly close to your chin but because you speak loudly (probably because you're used to speaking in front of groups), and combined with the omni directional mike capsule, you have bad, almost terrible bathroom-like sound. One solution is to use a directional body microphone aimed/positioned straight up at your chin. But the better/best fix is a headset microphone with the boom positioned so that the mike capsule is at the corner of your mouth. The objective is to get as close to your mouth/voice as possible for the best possible signal-to-noise ratio. There are two types of headset microphones. One are the large ones you see on sports commentators on TV with big headphones and a large boom that puts the mike very close to or in front of the mouth (with a proper windscreen to prevent breath popping and plosives). The other is a microphone-only with a very thin, almost invisible boom that positions the mike next to your cheek or at the corner of your mouth. You see that type in the TED Talk videos. "Bad sound makes good video look bad."

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for the feedback. We are working on a number of audio treatments to improve the sound quality.

[@TurreTuntematon]

I think it was great for every average Joe.

[@user-hh6ex9md4w]

Wow, that Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series sounds like an amazing backup power solution for outdoor enthusiasts like us! With its massive capacity, fast recharging, and waterproof design, it's definitely a reliable choice for camping or emergencies. The smart app control feature is also a great bonus. Thanks for sharing this recommendation!

[@user-hh6ex9md4w]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series! I completely agree with you, it sounds like an amazing backup power solution for outdoor enthusiasts like us. The massive capacity, fast recharging, and waterproof design make it a reliable choice for camping or emergencies. The smart app control feature is definitely a great bonus. Thanks for recommending this!

[@wlhgmk]

The best battery for home use and grid storage is (or soon will be) a battery that doesn't use Li. And all they need is market share to be less expensive than Li batteries. They are made from cheap elements that are readily available from multiple sources. They can be cycled between 0 and 100% charge with no damage, last far longer than Li batteries, are safer from a fire point of view and would be far easier to recycle if you ever needed to recycle them. There are two types of ZnBr batteries (Flow/plating and gel), a molten metal battery based, so far on Sb and Ca, a range of redox batteries using V and Fe and the up and coming Na battery. Note that each cubic meter of sea water contains about 15km of Na. Na batteries, unlike Li batteries, can be fully discharged before shipping, reducing their fire risk to zero.

[@s.lionelmcauley4455]

The Enphase IQ battery presented is no longer shipping to the USA. Quantities are limited, there may be close-out pricing out there. IQ-5P is now the Enphase base case offering. On top of that Enphase stated in a May 17,2023 letter to shareholders that the 4th Gen IQ battery with GaN will have a 20-year warranty and a greater efficiency converting from AC~DC, 40% more charge density, and will be cheaper. Those locked into NEM 2.0 can afford to wait. Inverter life in the field still fails to match up with the module warranty, replacements, and downtime are certain over the life of the array. Microinverter tech is the only solution capable of covering the distance. Lease agreements cost in all these calculable troubles. Lease buyers should be made aware of the real costs of ownership. Hard fact. Lease financial defaults are 99.9% related to array failures.

[@treefarm3288]

I have been using Trojan 6Volt 225 AH X 4 batteries since 1991. They come from the US to here in Australia and are very reasonably priced. The price has approximately doubled since then. They last 6- 7 years. They are 97% recyled after decommissioning. Recommended.

[@williamblue9996]

Hi Joe thank you for videos the information really has helped me understand solar and batteries . I will be upgrading to a battery and more solar panels this Saturday. All the best from Australia

[@SolarSurge]

Hi William. I wish you success with the project!

[@justinfranklinwh4969]

Hi William! FranklinWH would love to help you find a great Australian installer when ready!

[@azmisj80]

just as a suggestion, you might want to do space acoustic treatment to this room, we could hear echo.

[@buixote]

Not so hot on enohase these days. Their gateway failed after 2 years (now it's out of warranty), and they want the full retail for a replacement ($500). I have other prices of electronics that have seen much harder duty that are still working...raspberry for Enphase!

[@rickdiego5]

I have 24 enphase micro inverters and after a year and a half one stopped working. I called my installer and he rebooted it and it's been fine ever since. So far two years and all is good. The gateway I believe has a couple circuit breakers. Maybe you just need a new part and not the whole enchilada.

[@TurreTuntematon]

Are you saying that the warranty of your system is two year only? Hard to believe.

[@Joda30088]

I love my enphase system!

[@tireddad6541]

Tesla is updating Powerwall to have the LiFO. Any idea when in the US?

[@SolarSurge]

We don't know exactly when, but it is very close. Tesla has already filed the spec's with the major utilities for approval, so public release should be soon.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Subscribed.. I think it's a much better idea to get a Solar Array with Battery Storage than to sell my house in order to buy a new home.

[@stingk5295]

Great Information!

[@bobmarsh8357]

I have the Enphase it is awesome. The Franklin seems to be better though...

[@SolarSurge]

They are my top 2 favorite. Franklin has more power. Enphase will be releasing their new battery soon. Please check back for more details on that next month.

[@Eireternal]

​@@SolarSurgesuper interested in the Enphase 5p and how it stacks up against Franklin and Powerwall 2.

[@A_Guy_Named_Eric]

Joe, I recommend all new installers to your videos for unbiased opinions! I work for Greentech Renewables and I hope to meet you at SPI Vegas in September! I missed you last year in Anaheim.

[@SolarSurge]

Hey Eric. Thanks for the support. Looking forward to meeting you in Vegas.

[@Bonneanee]

Excellent information. :)

[@TooCloseSeries]

NC is gonna need battery backup with no more net metering. 🙄😬

[@toolate6971]

Yep, no more using the electric company as battery backup.

[@TheFatman819]

Expect all states to do this.

[@omarsegura6298]

Great info Joe!!! Solmar

[@perdonomai8060]

Seems that sodium is already out? I would be interesting also for GaN DC-DC converters to go off-grid with DC only!

[@urbanturbine]

When connected to grid, does the system protect from power surges? Why is Rosewater never mentioned in any of these comparisons etc? Thank you.

[@wthharrison7233]

Great video but can you tell us about the Storz Power Battery one day.

[@Jerry-zf3cn]

DC - might have been useful to quantify the efficiency instead of just blowing past that...

[@lingyunxu3523]

That first product you mentioned ep cube seems good. I really like the look of it and the flexibility.

[@minutemanprep]

Great video as usual.

[@Electronzap]

Good info.

[@jasonwilson3842]

What kind of generator works to charge Franklin? Would a portable generator work?

[@SolarSurge]

Portable generator are really not advisable. I recommend a fixed standby generator with a power rating of at least 10kW

[@pranavid]

The new LG RESU10H Prime?

[@Hassan-bq1wb]

bro, the new one is Prime+,including a inverter and AUTO BACKUP DEVICE, instead of battery only(prime)

[@WCFAsyncQueryable]

What about Savant power storage or Schneider electric boost?

[@mtrj53]

Friend, What type of system do you recommend for apartment living?

[@coolmaster121]

Could you comment on the LG Home 8 ESS battery and how it compares to the top 5?

[@s.lionelmcauley4455]

Hi Joe, follow your channel I do, and with respect to the general information you provide, please, If possible source data on the customer experience with the products and operating software related to the solutions you feature. The homeowner experience is where we all live:)

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Lionel. Thanks for the feedback.

[@helvetiaresearch9973]

I love your videos.

[@aldogarcia393]

Enphase 10t or 2-5p’s? For a 14 panel set up

[@joeh1970]

I have a question. I have a condo in Cabo. Sometimes during the heat, they have rolling black outs. Building doesn't have a backup generator. Is it possible to install a home battery system in a condo? It's 5 stories. Underground parking garage. Power goes out for 1-3 hours. So just looking for a battle that will charge when not in use and activate when it power is lost. Thanks!

[@Moonraker11]

Doesn't the FranklinWH system allow a battery expansion of up to 14 batteries?

[@justinfranklinwh4969]

Close! 15!

[@samcollura8034]

Thanks for the info. Who do you recommend in Australia ?

[@SolarSurge]

Same Top 3 brands.

[@kunar69]

Hello have you done a video of the Paladin Power battery back up system? Does anyone here know if they are good or not?

[@TravisGarnett]

Thank-you, Joe! Is it possible for #SolarSurge to do an overview / review of Bluetti's new EP900 offering?

[@israelerlichman1796]

Can you install a Franklin backup battery without having solar panels?

[@jasonc7916]

Thanks Joe, I definitely follow this channel. I recently called SE about battery compatibility and they said they are only compatible with SE and LG batteries. My design is for FranklinWH based on your recommendation so based on your video I believe Franklin is compatible with SE, but could you confirm or explain if there are any 'gotchas'.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Jason. FranklinWH and Tesla Powerwall are compatible with all grid-tied inverters including SolarEdge. Since the battery is connected via AC-coupling, there is no direct connection between the Franklin battery and the SolarEdge inverter. The battery installation happens at the AC main breaker.

[@miguelberrios7686]

where do you leave GENERAC?

[@billburke1423]

How do these batteries comoare to Sunpower sunvault with Hub+

[@justonpreble3119]

What's your thoughts on the EG4-LifePower4 Lithium Battery available through Signature Solar and a few other places?

[@SolarSurge]

I have seen that battery, but it is not something that you will see offered by a large volume installer who offers a warranty. That battery was designed with the DIY solar project in mind. For that, it’s a great fit.

[@strykerace]

When talking about Solar Edge Battery why is customer loyalty a criteria for Best Battery? Are you getting paid for adding Solar Edge to promote Solar Edge Batteries?

[@SolarSurge]

No.

[@ThomMurphy]

I think, maybe, it's not intended as criteria as much as consideration, and not from an end user's perspective as much as an installer's perspective.

[@RED2K2TIMMY]

How much do yep franklins cost ? I want a system I can set up so I don’t switch over to my battery’s every night and drain them down.

[@SolarSurge]

The cost varies depending on your location, but you should budget for about $15k-18k for a full-installed battery backup.

[@tkonzl6059]

@@SolarSurge is this for a 1- or 2-battery setup?

[@darylmcdonald2487]

Hi Joe Have you done a review on the new Enphase 5P batteries yet?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, we have a video from Enphase coming very soon on this.

[@vincerussell7121]

So, do all these systems allow solar charging during a power outage?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, all of these batteries can be recharged from solar during an outage.

[@vincerussell7121]

Thank you!

[@lingyunxu3523]

I know that EP cube can do it.

[@edwinjustiniano2937]

Can anyone tell me about the fortress 18k

[@Eireternal]

Why are we not convering the Enphase 5P Battery? Is it not oit yet?

[@SolarSurge]

The new 5P is in very limited distribution at the moment. We will have a video review of this product in the very near future.

[@toolate6971]

What is the failure rate of the micro inverter vs cost. I guess there is a warranty for each micro inverter.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes each micro-inverter has a 25-year warranty standard. I've seen failure rates < 2%.

[@ted33328]

Hello Joe, what is the chemistry of the Franklin 🔋?

[@SolarSurge]

Hey Ted. Franklin uses LiFePo4

[@QE007]

Any reason that the Homegrid battery is not top 5?

[@SolarSurge]

Homegrid is a good choice also, but very limited availability in terms of installers who will offer the Sol-Ark inverter with it to make it work.

[@bryanhamlin1208]

That's a good question. Homegrid has a continuous and surge output that is higher than ANY other battery solution on the market. Installation time of sub 30 minutes, and scalable from 9.6-38.4kWh and up to 15 in parallel for 576kWh using tier 1, automotive grade cells with an honest, non pro rated 10year, 14.11mWh warranty.

[@coziii.1829]

Non of those that you mentioned on intro . Plus I don’t even think those are top 5 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MaxGoddur]

If you already have solar panels equipped with microinverters, why is it necessary to have additional microinverters on each battery set?

[@TurreTuntematon]

How do you otherwise charge the battery from the grid ac to dc if required? You need inverters to do the job.

[@gerrygreen3832]

AlivisoBob: You have hit on the problem with "AC coupled" systems in general. All solar panels produce DC current. With microinverters, that gets converted to AC at the panel before going down to the rest of the system (combiner, Hub, battery). Also, all batteries are DC as well. So, for a microinverter system like Enphase, first you (micro)invert from DC to AC at the panel. Then, when you want to charge your battery, you have to invert from AC back to DC. That's why you have to have the microinverters in the Enphase battery system as well. There are losses involved with each inversion, so it is inherently less efficient. On the other hand, if you have modern solar panels (especially half cut or shingled ones) combined with a modern TL (Transformerless) HF (High Frequency) Hybrid inverter with modern MPPT algorithms (like the Sol-Ark), you have your choice of AC or DC coupling (without significant shading losses unless you have a complicated roof). For systems with battery backup in mind, DC coupling is more efficient (no "double inversion"). The Sol-Ark will work with both AC & DC coupled batteries, but for DC coupled batteries, it takes DC current direct from the panels to charge *any* 48V battery of *any* chemistry from *any* manufacturer. Sol-Ark has closed loop communications with a number of battery manufacturers for even better monitoring/charging of batteries. It will also invert grid and/or generator current to DC to charge the battery. The 15K model also has a 200 Amp pass-through, so there's no need for a sub-panel. The grid (meter), the panels, the battery, and the generator (if you have one) all connect to the Sol-Ark inverter. The output of the Sol-Ark connects to the panel. No separate "combiner", no "hub", no sub-panel. Nada. Since I plan on having about 14kW of panels with about 20kWh of battery to carry me through the night with a little reserve for bad weather backup, DC coupling makes the best sense. LFP batteries are safer, have much longer life, and are much more environmentally friendly (both to manufacture and recycle) than NMC chemistry. Enphase is expensive and less efficient for battery backup. SolarEdge requires using their (high voltage) batteries and has very suspect reliability and support. One more thing: I want to charge an EV direct from solar. A company called Enteligent is well along in developing an EV charger that can do this when combined with the right inverter. Sol-Ark is one of the companies they are "working closely" with to do this. This makes home EV charging direct from solar much more efficient (avoids the same "double inversion" inefficiency as with battery charging from solar). Most independent authorities recommend solar installation by local/regional companies with a significant history of good performance (like Solar Surge) instead of national companies (like SunRun) or "aggregators" (which have the worst record for support). Right now, for me, Sol-Ark (inverter) with a leading 48v LFP battery (like Fortress, Homegrid, etc.) is leading by default. We'll see after I get done interviewing a number of contenders (in the NJ area).

[@MaxGoddur]

​@@gerrygreen3832 I greatly appreciate your thorough explanation. Your input has been incredibly helpful, and I am currently considering various options based on your insights. I found your explanation so valuable that I even copied and pasted it into my notes. Thank you again for your assistance.

[@stevesedlak6912]

Thanks Joe, I have an anaphase system from 2012 with M215 micro inverters. Is it compatible with the enphase batteries or would I need to upgrade the Micro-inverters?

[@SolarSurge]

I would recommend to upgrade to the latest IQ8-series micro-inverters if you plan to use the Enphase battery. Alternatively, you could use Tesla Powerwall or Franklin WH with your M215's.

[@stevesedlak6912]

@@SolarSurge Thank you!

[@alanarnott4465]

i was just told sine I only have IQ7 inverters then i cannot get enphase.what do you hear.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, there have been some compatibility issues between IQ7 and IQ8/battery. I would recommend Franklin in this case.

[@TheFatman819]

Why do you not cover Growatt which is #1 in the world for inverters

[@SolarSurge]

Growatt is designed for the DIY solar project. I'm not aware of any large installers who are offing that product installed with a warranty.

[@MikesTropicalTech]

I'm about to install solar + battery in Spain, very helpful thanks.

[@lingyunxu3523]

Hi Mike, have you decided which system you gonna use？

[@MikesTropicalTech]

@@lingyunxu3523 Not yet, I have to get back in contact with the list of solar companies I've colleted.

[@TurreTuntematon]

@@MikesTropicalTechEnphase is getting big in Spain as well. Best quality and future proof.

[@MikesTropicalTech]

@@TurreTuntematon Yes I had a small Enphase system in Thailand, and I used beta test units back in the day with REC Solar. The module-level monitoring really makes me happy too.

[@paulcurtis5496]

Literally one of the best batteries available, you omitted: Big Battery's Rhino...

[@thomasjacques5286]

The Tesla Power Wall 3 could move the bar again.

[@labalo5]

What about sonnen? Just bought one in Cali

[@SolarSurge]

Sonnen is a cool product. Very similar to Powerwall and Franklin in terms of architecture. For some reason, it's not very popular here in the US. Sonnen is very big in Germany and Europe as a whole.

[@labalo5]

Appreciate the reply. Your channel is a great source for info. Thank you!

[@coolstuff_.]

Cool

[@sspyder181]

Eg4

[@coziii.1829]

Plus this is not for off grid

[@metnmagic1]

Been doing my research on the Franklin whole home with their eight gate you don't need to update their panel so that's a great option

[@trentrizza4572]

I have that

[@JoePolaris]

California changed the rules around NMC, no more stacking , whereas LFP can be within 12in each others. That gives a leg up for none NMC, I hope we see more affordable options for hone flow batteries, their robustness vs wear life is appealing

[@chetfriday7636]

What about Fortress?

[@SolarSurge]

Fortress is good, but you need to pair it with an inverter that can keep up. Check back soon. Fortress just released their new Envy 12kW inverter, which is a great combo for 48V battery systems.

[@gerrygreen3832]

@@SolarSurge Joe, exactly what do you mean by "keep up"? The amperage? If it's kWh, the eFlex batteries are 5.4kWh each.

[@rickdiego5]

Wow! I've been watching your channel for a long time and you really come across as honest and caring, but I've learned something interesting. 2 hours ago I added a post about the neo volta battery and that it's the best on the market I've seen and I just went in to see if there's any comments on it and you deleted it and I noticed that somebody else commenting you deleted their comment about a battery they liked. Obviously, you don't have the integrity I thought you did. I suppose you'll delete this too. I'll be telling everybody on every other channel I go to about the lack of integrity here and I certainly would not recommend buying solar from somebody of low integrity. It would be wise to remember that a happy customer tells another person but it unhappy customer tells 10 times that many.

[@SolarSurge]

Hello Rick and thanks for writing in. I checked with my team and we did not delete your comment. Perhaps KZbin is holding that for review before publishing.

[@rickdiego5]

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't unsubscribe because I wanted to check back. There was nothing in it that I can think why KZbin would not allow it. Is it possible your team is mistaking that they deleted it?

[@SolarSurge]

@@rickdiego5 Please try posting again. There are other comments here that mention other batteries. We welcome the discussion. But please note, KZbin has algorithms that identify potential spam/advertising so some posts will get automatically blocked.

[@Dragonrc.]

This crap will never make it main stream with current prices and lack of providers. There is nobody in my state the even does solar installs, this stuff is not new so it just blows my mind how much it cost. I would love to have solar but the cost to get something here in Alabama would never pay for itself.

[@rick_schmidt35]

No HomeGrid? It's more powerful than all these batteries, more scalable, modular...

[@justinfranklinwh4969]

Rick! Hi man!

[@trentrizza4572]

That would be a top 6. It was between that and Franklyn for me. Got the Franklin.

[@toolate6971]

What about the Bluesun Stackable Lithium Battery Low Voltage Series for Energy Storage System?

[@SolarSurge]

I'm not familiar with this solution. We will keep an eye out. There are so many new battery companies popping up but we need to stick with proven products/brands when we offer a system with a 25-year warranty.

[@rickdiego5]

​@@SolarSurgeI didn't know there was a battery company offering more than a 10-year warranty.

[@dancar8443]

more and more AC coupled battery systems... I don't see them worth for new installations

[@mclau1524]

Still incredibly expensive to add batteries to a solar system

[@johnandriulli5142]

Genuinely curious why you recommend Franklin? They are so new and there a complaints all over the internet regarding their product. I’ve been reaching out to them for weeks just to get information and they won’t respond. Are you being paid to promote them? It seems like bad advice to recommend such a new company with no track record with such bad reviews online.

[@SolarSurge]

I’m not paid to promote Franklin. The battery just beats on features, specs and raw power. It’s the most popular battery with my clients who want whole house backup. Enphase’s new 5P battery may take the top spot in the next review if they can demonstrate reliability. Franklin is a young company but they leadership team are all industry veterans from companies like LG, Tesla, and Panasonic.

[@johnandriulli5142]

@@SolarSurge do you have any real world experience with the batteries? Have you or your customers had any issues? All I’ve read online is complaints. It would be helpful to know if your recommendation is purely based on provided specs or actual use data. Thank you for your response.

[@SolarSurge]

@@johnandriulli5142 I have probably sold more Franklin batteries than any other solar sales professional in the US. None of my clients have complained about the system. It's the best on the market right now in my experience.

[@johnandriulli5142]

That’s great to hear sir. I’ve had a horrible experience contacting customer service to find a certified installer. Totally turned me off from the brand. I love to talk to you or your team, not sure how to make that happen

[@SolarSurge]

@@johnandriulli5142 Sure. Please go to www.solarsurge.net so you can book a call with our team.

[@alanday5255]

I despise videos that are long winded and infomercial like.

[@a16416]

Deleted my comment, because I mentioned another battery, unsubscribed

[@Lordlindef]

VW EV INDUSTRY BATTERY HAS THE BEST TEST AND GIVE YOU ALL THE BEST

[@robertsalata7828]

What about the "portable " batteries like EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Ankar that can store solar energy and be used to at least partially power your home when the utility company power is down ? These "portable " Power Stations are CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER than all the brands your video featured !

[@johngalt2071]

I think portable power stations and these backup batteries are apples and oranges. Price per kwh is also much higher on portable power stations.

[@Lordlindef]

This grade A and B all should get to know is leftovers