Aussies have only recently started incorporating deep-cycle batteries into their home solar array. But are they worth the hefty price tags and if so, what are the costs and which one should you get?
We've broken it down for you below so you know if you're getting your money's worth.
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| Home battery | Cycles | kWh per cycle | Total kWh produced | Total cost (AUD) | $ per kWh used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall | 5,000 | 5.8 | 28,980 | $10,151,42 | $0.35 |
| Tesla Powerwall | 3,285 | 5.8 | 19,040 | $7,108.84 | $0.37 |
| Tesla Powerwall | 5,000 | 5.8 | 28,980 | $4,265.30 | $0.15 |
| Tesla Powerwall | 5,000 | 5.8 | 28,980 | $5,118.36 | $0.18 |
| AGL Power Advantage | 5,000 | 3 | 15,000 | TBA | TBA |
| Aquion Energy S20P | 3,000 | 2 | 5,430 | $1,642.14 | $0.30 |
| Iron Edison 24V Lithium Battery | 2,000 | 2.76 | 5,530 | $3,925.50 | $0.71 |
For the majority of home customers, the answer is probably no. While the price of batteries has decreased over time, a battery and inverter will still set you back $8,000 to $15,000. This is the kind of investment that is unlikely to be recouped over the effective lifetime of the battery.
However, if you are planning to invest in a home battery for storage or potentially backup, you should ensure that you get a strong warranty on it to protect your investment. You may be able to take advantage of government rebates or renewable schemes in your state or territory, especially VIC, SA, the ACT and QLD.
Just keep in mind that if you're funnelling power into your storage battery you aren't feeding it back into the power grid, meaning that you won't be able to benefit from solar feed-in tariffs for that energy.
Pros
Cons
| Response | |
|---|---|
| No | 72.47% |
| Yes | 13.94% |
| No - I plan to get one | 13.59% |
There are three types of batteries that can be used for solar installations: lead-acid, lithium ion and saltwater. Of the three, lithium ion currently performs best, though the others may be considered for cost purposes.
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