For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to advice for “normals” in search of a painless, low-effort expertise from their first dwelling photo voltaic and battery backup options. Its CEO’s latest involvement in controversial politicsnevertheless, signifies that folks are actually distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing firm. It begs the query: what different dwelling photo voltaic battery options are there?
UPDATE 24AUG2025: added a brand new V2X choice.
Electricians and contractors usually reward the smooth, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good causes. However the Powerwall isn’t the one top-shelf dwelling battery in the marketplace, however lengthy wait occasions, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of actually good built-in alternate options from legacy EV manufacturers may need you purchasing for Tesla alternate options already. If that’s you, the following logical step is to re-think the model’s photo voltaic battery choices as effectively – listed here are among the finest choices on the market.
As I used to be placing this checklist collectively, I spotted there have been loads of methods for me to current this data. “Finest batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Least expensive batteries ..?” An excessive amount of analysis and a fast descent into Temu-grade nonsense. Ultimately, I went with the identical answer I’ve been utilizing on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by model. Take pleasure in!
BLUETTI EP800 + B500
In the event you’re in a smaller area or renting and may’t (or don’t wish to) add a hardwired battery answer to your own home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a candy “center floor” choice that mixes the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the corporate’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be utilized with out a photo voltaic roof but additionally performs effectively with most rooftop PV choices.
The essential EP800 + B500 bundle provides about 9.9 kWh of capability for underneath $9,000 as I sort thisand the system can scale as much as almost 20 kWh by including extra B500 packs. The system places out 7.6 kW of energy – greater than sufficient, in different phrases, to maintain some lights on and your fridge and meals (and meds) chilly.
What’s extra, it really works nice with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you need an choice that’s a bit extra moveable should you transfer so much or plan on shifting quickly.
EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro
Two of the house photo voltaic installers I talked to in getting ready this publish talked about the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, a minimum of) examine properly with the Powerwall 3.
| Battery | Usable capability (kWh) | Steady energy output (kW) | Roundtrip effectivity | Common worth per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro | 11.44 | 10.24 | 99% | $786 | DC |
“The EG4 PowerPro photo voltaic battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest different to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the house photo voltaic consultants at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has the same capability, that means it’ll final the same period of time, and a barely decrease energy output, which suggests it received’t be capable to energy fairly as many units on the identical time. And, based mostly on quotes via EnergySage, EG4 batteries are typically a bit extra reasonably priced in comparison with Tesla.”
Enphase IQ Battery 10
In the event you’re in search of a one-brand answer for EV charging and whole-home battery backup however don’t wish to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase provides a full line of Made-in-the-USA options that might be best for you.
“Power methods developer Enphase Power is offering an much more holistic method to managing dwelling energy utilization with the introduction of latest EV charger expertise known as the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the model first launched its EV charging options again in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly right into a buyer’s present dwelling system that may be managed along with your telephone.”
Franklin WH aPower 2
In the event you love the smooth, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 however nonetheless favor to spend your cash elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 provides equally smooth styling and beats the Tesla providing on usable power storage capability by 1.5 kWh. That’s almost a full day of holding a contemporary fridge working.
The Franklin can be designed to be simply retrofit into an present photo voltaic system, however it loses out to the Powerwall on worth per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).
GM Power Dwelling System
Arguably probably the most absolutely built-in EV + battery backup + photo voltaic choice on the market outdoors of Tesla, the GM Power Dwelling System guarantees to do every part a traditional dwelling photo voltaic battery doesplus work seamlessly along with your GM EV to offer even extra flexibility – whether or not meaning utilizing the electrical gas saved in your EV to carry out that for much longer in an emergency, or utilizing the power saved in your house’s photo voltaic battery to energy an escape in your EV is as much as you.
GM Power and GM’s automotive sellers checklist Qmerit as their set up associate, they usually’re nice, however should you “have already got a man,” you possibly can order the Dwelling System immediately from GM Power’s web site for $12,700 (as I sort this).
The GM Power Dwelling System system contains:
- GM Power PowerBank
- GM Power PowerShift Charger
- GM Power Dwelling Hub & Inverter
Sigenergy V2X
As among the earliest and most enthusiastic EV adopters, Tesla followers have additionally been among the many loudest advocates for utilizing the power saved their automobiles’ batteries to again up their houses — and even the grid itself. Sadly for them, the slow-selling Cybertruck is the one Tesla car that formally helps that form of “V2X” bidirectional charging, and even that solely works with Tesla’s personal Powershare dwelling answer, which continues to be lacking a few of its initially promised options years after launch.
In the event you’re one of many many Tesla homeowners annoyed by these delays, there’s excellent news: Tesla autos are actually able to bidirectional charging (V2X) due to a powerful Powerwall competitor, Sigenergy, which might embody a common bidirectional DC charger.
This machine is what the Tesla Powerwall was imagined to be.
Our personal Editor-in-Chief, Fred Lambert, lately went on a Sigenergy deep dive with Sylvain Juteau, President of Roulez Electrique, and got here away deeply impressed with the system. I’ve included the video, above, and you may learn extra in regards to the system itself at this hyperlink.
StorEn vanadium circulate BESS
If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped hearth threat makes you nervous, StorEn Applied sciences is creating a consumer-focused battery answer based mostly on vanadium circulate chemistry. Their system guarantees to final 25 years or extra with no capability loss, so you possibly can cost and drain the battery absolutely every day and with out stressing about put on … however there are a few downsides.
First, they’re not but out there to most of the people – solely to StorEn’s early traders in (what I perceive to be) a form of quasi-Kickstarter deal.
Second, the StorEn batteries are considerably bulkier than a Powerwall. That mentioned, should you’ve obtained the room and also you’re sufficiently old to comprehend that 25 years isn’t truly a brilliant very long time, the StorEn answer would possibly to be a brilliant compelling, almost maintenance-free setup which may outlast each your photo voltaic panels and the roof they’re mounted on.
So, keep in mind how I began this off saying that I wouldn’t flip this right into a “finest batteries” publish? That’s partly pushed by the truth that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or somebody who’s researched 1000’s of end-user expertise surveys to provide you with no matter metrics I’d must confidently and accurately name one battery “the perfect.”
Our pals and photo voltaic business consultants at EnergySage, although? They’ve obtained all three of these issues on employees, they usually actually, actually just like the Villara VillaGrid+.
“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the perfect battery in the marketplace, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Tools Score System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That mentioned, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is just not essentially the perfect Tesla Powerwall different. It’s a really completely different (and far pricier) battery.”
What places the VillaGrid+ on prime? In line with Zagame, all of it comes all the way down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Not like extra conventional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has higher recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t comprise any carbon, which makes it additional protected. The one draw back is you’ll undoubtedly shell out extra money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”
That more money will even purchase some further peace of thoughts, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year guarantee in comparison with Tesla Powerwall and its (and nearly everybody else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t discover a worth, however Villara’s different merchandise, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, are available in at almost double Powerwall’s per kWh value. Take a look at the specs, under, then tell us should you suppose the novel chemistry and extra guarantee are price it within the feedback.
| Battery | Usable capability (kWh) | Steady energy output (kW) | Roundtrip effectivity | Common worth per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| Villara VillaGrid+ | 11.5 | 10 | 98.5% | Get quote | DC or AC |
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In the event you’re contemplating going photo voltaic, it’s all the time a good suggestion to get quotes from just a few installers. To be sure to discover a trusted, dependable photo voltaic installer close to you that gives aggressive pricing, take a look at EnergySagea free service that makes it straightforward so that you can go photo voltaic. It has tons of of pre-vetted photo voltaic installers competing for your small business, guaranteeing you get high-quality options and save 20-30% in comparison with going it alone. Plus, it’s free to make use of, and also you received’t get gross sales calls till you choose an installer and share your telephone quantity with them.
Your personalised photo voltaic quotes are straightforward to match on-line and also you’ll get entry to unbiased Power Advisors that can assist you each step of the best way. Get began right here.
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