Solar battery storage calculator and getting to a $0 electricity bill
If you’re installing Solar Panels and you are considering adding a Solar Battery Storage System, then you need to consider your consumption profile. If you’re not home during the day, installing a Solar Battery will be a good option for you. With the cost of the product going down, it is now possible for Households to get a $0 electricity bill. You just need the right sized Solar Panels with Solar Batteries. If you are home during the day, your Solar Panels are generating power when you’re using Electricity. In this case, consider oversizing your Solar Panels so you have Electricity to store during the day so you can use it at night. You may not get to $0 Electricity but you will save a lot of money. Check out our simple solar battery storage calculator to see if it worth it.
Solar Run has also reviewed Sonnen, LG Chem and Tesla Powerwall. Do your research and check out product reviews to make sure you’re getting the best system for your home.
Check available battery storage rebates
Before you buy solar batteries if you are in Victoria, South Australia, Canberra or Queensland check out if your eligible for additional state Government solar battery rebates.
In Victoria, you can get up to a $4,838 solar battery rebate if you have less than a $180,000 p.a. taxable income and if your home is worth less then $3,000,000. Eligible homes must be located in specific postcodes. The rebate covers up to 50% off your battery storage installation but you must have an existing solar system installed.
In South Australia, eligible homes can get up to $600 per kW solar battery rebate up to a total of $6,000 per installation. The South Australia Home Battery Scheme has a target of 40,000 homes to install batteries.
In Canberra, the Next Generation Energy Storage program can give homeowners up to a $825 per kW rebate off batteries. The maximum rebate is for 30kW which is a total solar battery rebate of $24,750.
In Queensland, eligible homes can get up to a $3,000 solar battery rebate with an 0% interest loan up to 10 years.
All In One vs Hybrid solar battery. What is the best?
Before we compare the Tesla, Sonnen, LG Chem and Alpha ESS battery you should know there are 2 main types of Solar Batteries available in Australia. All In One and Hybrid Battery. All In One Solar Battery has an in-built Inverter that controls the Solar Panel and the Battery Cells. Hybrid Batteries are Battery Cells only and require a compatible Hybrid Inverter to work with the Solar Panels.
When does an ‘All In One’ solar battery make sense?
When the visual appeal is important to you, then you want an All In One Solar Battery Storage solution. Alpha ESS, Sonnen and Tesla Powerwall all offer an All In One Solar Battery System. LG Chem Battery is the only one that doesn’t. When installing Solar Panels with Solar Batteries at the same time it will be usually cheaper and visually nicer to install than a Hybrid option.
When does a ‘Hybrid’ solar battery make sense?
This is the most cost-effective solution if you have installed Solar Panels with a Hybrid Inverter. Some Households have done this to be ‘Battery Ready’. Be careful. Make sure the Battery you are installing is compatible with the Hybrid Inverter you have already installed.
Solar battery price for Tesla, Sonnen, LG Chem and Alpha ESS
There are a lot of solar batteries on the market, but only a few worth talking about. We compare reasonable prices to pay for Tesla, Sonnen, LG Chem and Alpha ESS solar battery storage systems. Some variables to consider that may impact pricing is the location of solar battery installation, distance from the switchboard to the battery, the complexity of cable runs for installation. The price guide is for Australia only and metro areas like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. Regional installations are just a little bit extra in price.
The solar battery price guide is:
- Tesla Powerwall 2 $14,500 installed
- Sonnen Batterie $15,000 installed
- Alpha ESS $10,000 installed
- LG Chem $10,000 installed
What is the best solar battery storage system?
What’s the verdict? The Alpha E-Store Solar Battery has a competitive price with a well-balanced warranty. Buying an Alpha E-Store will give you the best return on investment. In Victoria and South Australia, you can also a rebate up to 50% of the purchase price if you met the eligibility criteria. Lastly, be concerned if your Solar Retailer is offering you a Solar Battery Storage system that is not on the list below.
What about the rest of the Solar Battery Storage Solutions? All 4 Manufacturers are good. It’s just some have strong points that stand out. If you are after a premium product and have the money, go get a Sonnen or Tesla Powerwall. For a good balance of product features and price go an Alpha ESS Solar Battery. If you are after a Hybrid Battery, go LG Chem, it’s going to be the most cost-effective to install.
| Alpha Smile 5 | Alpha E Store | LG Chem | Sonnen | Tesla | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |  |  |  | |
| Solar Battery Type | All in One | All in One | Hybrid | All in One | All in One |
| Usable Capacity(Kwh) | 11 | 9.3 | 9.8 | 9.43 | 13.5 |
| Product Warranty Term | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Self Consumption Mode Warranty | 80% of the original output | 80% of the original output | N/A | N/A | Unlimited |
| Energy Throughput Warranty | 29.2mWh (If not self-consumption mode) | 29.2mWh (If not self-consumption mode) | 30mWh | 100mWh | 37.8mWh (If not self-consumption mode) |
| Cycle Warranty | 3,140 (If not self-consumption mode) | 3,140 (If not self-consumption mode) | 3,061 | 10,000 | 2,800 (If not self-consumption mode) |
| Performance Warranty | 80% of the original output in the self-consumption mode | 80% of original output in the self-consumption mode | 60% of original output | Not stated in Warranty Terms | 70% of original output in the self-consumption mode |
| Expandable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price Class | Cost-Effective | Cost-Effective | Cost-Effective | Premium | Premium |
| Warranty Verdict |  | |  | | |
Higher price, better warranty? Battery storage warranty explained.
- Usable Capacity: Usable Capacity is the amount of usable kWh your Solar Battery can store. Batteries can’t depreciate to 0% as it will wreck the battery, so not all of the power is usable.
- Product Warranty: This is the warranty for the Product to be defect Free. Read each Manufacturer’s Product Terms to understand when warranty’s are void. Heat is a common reason to void a warranty.
- Self Consumption Mode: This is only using the Electricity generated from your Solar Panels only. Typically in Self Consumption Mode you will do 1 cycle per day. Some Solar Battery Manufacturers like Alpha ESS and Tesla give you better Warranty if you only use Self Consumption Mode. Alpha Energy Storage System has a very strong Warranty. Over 10 years they still Warrant that you will get alteast 80% of the original Solar Battery capacity. This is the point that Alpha Solar Batteries are in big point of difference in value.
- Energy Throughput: This is a measure of the total Electricity that your Battery Storage System has stored and put out. The more times you cycle your battery the quicker it shortens the lifespan. Similar to a mobile phone. Energy Throughput and Cycle Warranty are linked by a calculation. For example: Cycles Warrantied multiplied by Usable Capacity of the Solar Battery gives you Energy Throughput.
- Cycles Warranty: Manufacturers will either give you an Energy Throughput or Cycle Warranty. They are the same value, just measured differently. Sonnen actually Warranty their product for up to 2.7 cycles per day (best in market). If you have cheap off-peak electricity rates, you can charge your battery with solar power during the day, then re-charge again in off-peak times at night. When you cylce once per day with an LG Chem Battery Storage System you will calculate that the warranty will only last you 8.3 years. The other point you need to consider with LG Energy Storage Systems is they only Warranty 60% of the original output. This is the lowest of the top tier Energy Storage Manufacturers. Solar Run can help you with your calculations. Do your research, compare products and we can help you recommend the best product for you.
6 Simple Steps to buying a solar battery storage system
- Check if your eligible for any additional State Government Rebates
- Get a quote from Solar Run and compare prices
- Calculate the battery storage savings
- Compare solar battery storage Warranty Terms (we recommend the best for you)
- Get the battery system installed
- Enjoy the savings
Solar Battery Savings Calculator
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Solar Battery Storage Calculator is an estimate only. Rates used are industry averages. For savings estimates please contact our Solar Run team for a quote for your home.
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