Solar Battery Cost

Most residential backup power systems consist of lithium-ion batteries, which are a newer technology. The lithium home solar battery cost ranges from $7,000 to $24,000 depending on the brand and size of the battery.

The solar battery storage system cost largely depends on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) the battery can store. Popular lithium home batteries can hold 3 kWh and 18 kWH of stored energy.

The other type of solar battery is lead-acid, but these are mostly for do-it-yourself solar systems. The lead-acid solar panel battery bank cost is less expensive per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than lithium. However, lead-acid batteries have many drawbacks that make them less favorable for consumer use.

We will cover the solar battery backup cost for some of the most popular batteries on the market today. The cost of the solar battery backup systems listed below includes all design, permitting, installation, labor, and other costs.

Common Solar Battery Storage Cost Questions

In this article, we will answer the following common questions about solar panel battery costs:

• How much does a solar battery cost?
• How much do solar batteries cost?
• How much do solar panel batteries cost?
• How much does a solar backup battery cost?
• How much does a solar storage battery cost?
• How much does battery backup for solar panels cost?
• How much does a Tesla solar battery cost?
• What is the cost for a solar battery?
• What is the cost to add a battery to a solar system?

Questions About Solar Battery Brands

We will also answer the following common questions about solar battery brands:

• How much does a Tesla solar battery cost?
• How much does a Generac battery cost?
• How much does a LG battery cost?
• How much does an Enphase battery cost?
• How much do Sonnen batteries cost?

The Economics of Solar Batteries

To understand the economics of the residential solar industry, please first read Cost of Solar Panels and then come back here.

It is not customary for solar salespeople to make much commission off the sale of solar batteries in Arizona. The commission on the sale of a battery should only be between $0 and $1,000 per battery.

The problem that homeowners run into is that solar salespeople and solar installers often refuse to itemize the quotes they provide. The customer is given one total price for everything, including the solar panel system and any extras. This makes it difficult to determine how much commission has been added to a solar battery.

Much like a red line for a solar panel system, solar installers give the salespeople a “bottom price” for batteries. The bottom price includes the cost of the battery from the manufacturer, labor for installation, permitting costs, and profit. The salesperson is then allowed to add commission on top of the bottom price.

For example, the LG Chem battery has a bottom price of $12,500. The salesperson then sells the battery for $13,500, making $1,000 in sales commission from the battery.

Solar Battery Cost Per kWh

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a measurement for a unit of energy. If an appliance consumes 1 kW (1,000 watts) over the period of an hour, this is measured as 1 kWh. Items in the home like lights, refrigerators, freezers, and other small appliances use a relatively small amount of energy.

However, large appliances like the air conditioner (4 kW) and electric clothes dryer (3.5 kW) need multiple kilowatts to run. Thus, these large appliances will use multiple kilowatt-hours per hour.

Solar battery system cost largely depends on how many kilowatt-hours of energy it can store. More kilowatt-hours costs more money and less kilowatt-hours costs less money.

The average solar battery installation cost is between $1,100 and $1,500 per kWh.

Tesla Solar Battery Cost

The Tesla Powerwall 2 is the most popular solar battery on the market. This is mostly due to Tesla’s brand name power and the popularity of Elon Musk. Tesla Powerwall batteries are always on backorder, and will typically take six months to one year to be installed.

Tesla Powerwalls are not considered to be the highest quality batteries on the market. Consumers typically purchase the Powerwall because of the Tesla name, not because of superior specs or quality. Many experts in the industry believe that Generac and Enphase batteries are superior to Tesla.

The Tesla battery for solar panels cost is around the middle of the market. There are solar batteries more expensive and less expensive than the Powerwall.

The cost of Tesla solar batteries decreases as you add more batteries to your system. 10 Tesla Powerwalls is the largest configuration possible. Tesla Powerwall Costs are listed below:

• Tesla Powerwall 2 Battery (13.5 kWh Capacity): $15,500
• Two (2) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (27 kWh Capacity): $22,500
• Three (3) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (40.5 kWh Capacity): $29,500
• Four (4) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (54 kWh Capacity): $36,500
• Five (5) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (67.5 kWh Capacity): $42,500
• Six (6) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (81 kWh Capacity): $48,500
• Seven (7) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (94.5 kWh Capacity): $54,500
• Eight (8) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (108 kWh Capacity): $59,500
• Nine (9) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (121.5 kWh Capacity): $64,500
• Ten (10) Tesla Powerwall 2 Batteries (135 kWh Capacity): $69,500

Generac Battery Backup Cost

The Generac solar battery cost is the most expensive on the market. This is because Generac batteries are considered the gold-standard for quality, reliability, durability, and customer service.

The Generac PWRCell system includes one inverter, one battery storage cabinet, and at least three lithium ion battery modules. The cost of solar battery storage for a Generac PWRCell system is below:

• Generac PWRcell M3 Battery (9 kWh Capacity): $14,300
• Generac PWRcell M4 Battery (12 kWh Capacity): $17,300
• Generac PWRcell M5 Battery (15 kWh Capacity): $20,300
• Generac PWRcell M6 Battery (18 kWh Capacity): $23,300

Enphase Battery Cost

The Enphase battery storage for solar cost is typically less expensive than other brands. Below you will find Enphase battery prices:

• Enphase IQ Battery 3 (3.36 kWh Capacity): $7,000
• Enphase IQ Battery 10 (10.08 kWh Capacity): $12,000

LG Chem Battery Price

The LG solar battery price is typically less expensive than other brands. Below you will find LG Chem Prime battery costs:

• LG Chem RESU10H Battery (9.6 kWh Capacity): $12,500
• Two (2) LG Chem RESU10H Batteries (19.2 kWh Capacity): $19,000

Sonnen Battery Price

Sonnen is a German company that entered the U.S. market in 2015. They offer the ecoLinx and sonnenCore+ batteries. The Sonnen battery cost depends on the size of the battery and the model.

The Sonnen ecoLinx batteries are some of the most expensive on the market. They come with an included inverter and other advanced features. The sonnenCore+ batteries are much more affordable, and they have more basic features. Pricing for Sonnen batteries is below:

• Sonnen sonnenCore+ Battery (10 kWh Capacity): $10,500