Top Five Home Batteries for Solar and EV Charging
If you are already an EV owner, that’s great. Thank you for doing your part to fight climate change, while saving money at the same time. If you are not a electric vehicle (EV) owner, what are you waiting for? EVs are not only the most eco-friendly form of transportation, they also save owners money over the long run. While it’s true new EV prices are still high, used EV prices are at an all-time low, creating some fantastic savings. New EV prices are set to come down in 2025, especially with the release of the long-awaited and improved Chevy Bolt.
Whether you are an EV owner or not, home solar with a home battery is a great idea. Solar power is the most eco-friendly kind of power, and it also saves money over the long run. While it’s true the up-front cost for solar remains high, it’s the payback period that provides savings over the long term. Leading energy information source EnergySage says the average EnergySage solar shopper breaks even in about 7.5 years. The payback period is the length of time it takes to pay for your initial solar investment. After that, your home power is virtually free. Solar panels may need maintenance, cleaning, repair or replacement, however the average homeowner installing solar panels saves significantly over the long term. Depending on your solar installer, the number of solar panels you install, and how you pay for your solar power system, the length of your solar payback period will vary.
Why a Home Battery is Needed
Home battery systems, also called battery storage or energy storage, offer several powerful advantages for homeowners looking to optimize energy use and reduce reliance on the grid. Here are the key benefits:
Backup Power During Outages: A home battery system provides a reliable power source during blackouts, keeping essential devices and appliances running when the grid goes down.
Reduced Energy Bills: By storing energy generated from solar panels or during off-peak grid times, you can use stored power during peak hours, cutting down on high electricity costs.
Energy Independence: With battery storage, you become less dependent on the grid. This increased autonomy protects you from rising energy prices and offers more control over your power sources.
Potential Earnings: In some areas, you can sell excess stored power back to the grid or participate in programs that pay for helping to balance the power demand.
Lower Carbon Emissions: Storing renewable energy reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, helping you decrease your overall carbon footprint.
Enhanced Energy Control: Battery systems give you insights and control over when and how you use energy, allowing you to prioritize eco-friendly or cost-effective power sources.
Maximized Solar Benefits: For solar panel owners, batteries store excess energy that would otherwise go to waste, maximizing the value of your solar investment by extending its benefits to nighttime or cloudy days.
Overall, home battery systems offer a sustainable, economical way to manage and control your home’s energy use effectively.
EVinfo.net’s Picks for the Top Five Home Batteries
Below are our top five picks for the best home battery systems currently on the market. We recommend to do your own research to determine which home battery is best for your needs. Your solar installer will have additional guides and information as well.
Enphase Energy’s Reliable and Safe IQ Battery 5P
Enphase Energy’s IQ Battery 5P stands out for its high power capacity, allowing it to run larger, power-hungry appliances—such as HVAC systems, pool pumps, and more—with fewer units. Here’s how this benefits you.
NEMA 3R Rating for Harsh Weather: IQ Batteries are built to withstand extreme weather, with a NEMA 3R rating ensuring they can operate effectively in rain, sleet, snow, and ice. This durability provides peace of mind, especially for homeowners in regions with challenging climates.
Storm Guard Feature: The IQ Battery’s integration with the Storm Guard feature in the Enphase App means your home is always prepared for weather-related outages. By monitoring the National Weather Service for incoming storms, Storm Guard automatically signals the battery to fully charge in advance, maximizing backup power when it’s most likely to be needed.
Resilient Backup for Reliable Energy: Combined with its high power output, the IQ Battery’s weather readiness and automatic charging make it a dependable source of power that adapts to both unexpected weather and your household’s needs.
Low-voltage DC power: Enphase IQ Batteries operate with low-voltage DC power, avoiding the dangers that come with high-voltage DC power.
Over-the-air Software Updates: Get over-the-air software updates that bring innovative new features to your Enphase Energy System and the Enphase App.
Enhanced Safety with UL 9540A Compliance: Meeting UL 9540A standards means the IQ Battery has passed rigorous testing for thermal runaway fire propagation protection. This certification confirms that the system is specifically designed to prevent the spread of fire, offering a safer storage solution for homeowners.
In essence, Enphase IQ Batteries not only offer robust energy storage capabilities but also prioritize fire safety, making them a trusted, secure choice for residential backup power.
LG Home Battery’s Powerful RESU 16H PRIME and 10H PRIME
The LG Home Battery RESU 16H PRIME and 10H PRIME offer significant advantages for homeowners looking for a reliable and efficient energy storage solution. Here are their main benefits:
High-Capacity Storage Options: The RESU 16H PRIME offers 16 kWh of capacity, while the 10H PRIME provides 9.6 kWh, giving you a choice based on your home’s energy needs. This high capacity allows for longer power backup during outages and greater storage of solar energy for later use.
Compact, Space-Efficient Design: Both models have a slim, wall-mountable design that saves space, making them ideal for indoor or outdoor installations. Their compact form factor allows for easy integration into various home layouts.
Scalable System for Customization: These batteries can be used in parallel with additional RESU PRIME units, allowing homeowners to scale up storage capacity to match increased energy needs or future home expansion.
Reliable Backup Power: The RESU PRIME series provides consistent and reliable backup power for essential appliances during grid outages, helping to keep lights, refrigerators, and other critical systems running.
High Efficiency: LG’s RESU PRIME batteries are known for their efficiency in storing and discharging energy, which maximizes the use of solar power and minimizes dependency on the grid. This efficiency can lead to substantial energy savings over time.
Long Life Cycle: The RESU PRIME series is designed for long-term performance, with a high cycle life that ensures reliable operation over many years. This durability translates to a better return on investment and lower maintenance costs.
Smart Monitoring: Both models are compatible with LG’s monitoring platform, enabling you to track battery performance, charge levels, and energy usage in real time through a user-friendly app.
Greater Energy Independence: By storing solar energy and using it during peak hours or outages, RESU PRIME batteries allow you to reduce reliance on the grid, offering increased energy independence and protection from rising electricity costs.
In summary, the LG Home Battery RESU 16H PRIME and 10H PRIME deliver high-capacity, efficient, and scalable storage solutions with robust backup power and long-term reliability, making them ideal for homeowners seeking greater energy independence and cost savings.
GENERAC PWRcell: 65 Years of Expertise in Impressive Backup Power Solutions
The PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage system by Generac offers robust power, efficiency, and reliability, making it a top-tier choice for whole-home energy management and backup. Here’s how it stands out:
High Continuous Power Output: With up to 10kW of continuous backup power, PWRcell can support the entire home, keeping essential and even power-hungry appliances running during outages. This high power output provides peace of mind, knowing your home can stay operational when the grid goes down.
Cohesive Load Management: PWRcell’s smart load management system optimizes power usage by prioritizing essential circuits and appliances. This functionality maximizes battery life, enabling longer-lasting backup power by efficiently allocating energy where it’s needed most.
Energy Bill Savings: PWRcell reduces reliance on grid power by storing and using solar energy, especially during peak-rate periods. This can lead to significant savings on energy bills by reducing or even eliminating the need to draw from the grid during expensive hours.
Scalable and Customizable: The PWRcell system is modular, allowing homeowners to add more battery modules as energy needs grow. This scalability ensures that the system can adapt to changing energy demands or household expansions.
Reliable Backup Power from a Trusted Brand: Generac’s long-standing reputation and 65 years of expertise in backup power solutions make PWRcell a reliable choice for homeowners. Leveraging Generac’s legacy of innovation, PWRcell is engineered for durability and efficiency.
Environmentally Friendly Solution: By leveraging solar energy, PWRcell minimizes the need for fossil fuel-generated electricity, reducing your home’s carbon footprint while promoting a greener energy solution.
Seamless Integration with Solar Panels: PWRcell pairs perfectly with solar panels, capturing excess solar energy during the day and storing it for nighttime or backup use. This maximizes the return on your solar investment and makes solar energy available 24/7.
Smart Monitoring and Control: With Generac’s app, you can monitor energy consumption, battery status, and solar generation in real time, giving you greater control over energy use and helping you make informed decisions.
In summary, the Generac PWRcell is a powerful, scalable, and reliable solution for whole-home energy storage and backup, offering the flexibility to manage power loads intelligently, save on energy costs, and provide dependable backup power when it’s needed most.
Automaker Home Energy Options: GM and Ford
EV makers General Motors and Ford also offer their own home storage solutions. GM Energy recently released its GM Energy PowerBank, while Ford’s Home Backup Power System was released several years ago. Both are excellent for charging your GM or Ford EVs, as well as other EV brands.
The Outstanding GM Energy PowerBank
The GM Energy PowerBank is a versatile and robust energy storage solution that offers several benefits for both EV owners and households, setting it apart from other home storage options. With choices between 10.6 kWh and 17.7 kWh of storage, customers can select the model that best fits their energy needs, whether for limited backup or more extensive home and EV charging. With GM’s expertise in EV technology, the PowerBank is optimized to support EV charging, offering a convenient way to charge vehicles at home using stored power. This integration adds a layer of flexibility for EV owners, allowing them to charge without relying solely on grid power.
Ford’s Impressive Intelligent Backup Power
Ford and leading solar installer Sunrun partnered to offer Ford Intelligent Backup Power. The system offers seamless Integration. The Intelligent Backup Power system integrates Ford’s F-150 Lightning with Sunrun’s solar energy systems. This allows the truck to not only serve as a vehicle but also as a powerful energy source for homes.
Backup Power During Outages: In the event of a power outage, the F-150 Lightning can automatically provide backup power to the home. With its large battery capacity, it can supply electricity to critical appliances and systems, ensuring that homeowners remain powered during disruptions.
Solar Energy Storage: When paired with Sunrun’s solar systems, the F-150 Lightning can store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages. This setup allows homeowners to maximize the use of renewable energy, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering energy costs.
Smart Energy Management: The system allows for smart energy management, enabling users to monitor their energy consumption and production through a connected app. Homeowners can optimize the use of stored energy, switching between grid power and stored power based on their needs and electricity pricing.
Environmental Benefits: By integrating solar power and electric vehicle storage, the partnership promotes a sustainable energy ecosystem. Homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint by utilizing clean energy from solar panels and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.
Enhanced Convenience: The Intelligent Backup Power system allows for automated energy flow management. In the case of an outage, the system can quickly switch to backup mode, providing convenience and peace of mind without requiring user intervention.
Financial Savings: The combination of solar energy and the F-150 Lightning’s backup capabilities can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills. Homeowners can benefit from using stored solar energy during peak pricing times and minimize reliance on grid power.
Expanded Use Cases: Beyond home backup, this system enables the F-150 Lightning to act as a mobile power source for various applications, such as outdoor activities, job sites, or events. This versatility enhances the utility of the vehicle and adds value for users.
The collaboration between Ford and Sunrun on Intelligent Backup Power represents a significant step towards integrating electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions into everyday life. By leveraging the strengths of both companies—Ford’s innovative electric vehicle technology and Sunrun’s expertise in solar energy—this partnership provides homeowners with a powerful, flexible, and sustainable energy solution that enhances resilience and energy independence. This integration not only addresses practical energy needs but also aligns with the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy adoption.
