SunPower SunVault vs Tesla Powerwall: Which Solar Battery is Better?
If you have a solar panel system or are planning to get one, you might want to consider adding a solar battery to store excess energy and use it when you need it. A solar battery can help you reduce your dependence on the grid, save money on your electricity bills, and provide backup power in case of an outage.
But which solar battery should you choose? There are many options available, but two of the most popular ones are the SunPower SunVault and the Tesla Powerwall. Both are lithium-ion batteries that can be paired with any solar system, but they have some differences in terms of capacity, efficiency, warranty, and price.
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s use an analogy to illustrate the benefits of a solar battery.
Imagine you’re hosting a party at your home, and you have a lot of food and drinks to serve. You don’t want to run out of supplies, so you buy more than you need. But what do you do with the leftovers? Do you throw them away, or do you save them for later?
That’s the dilemma that many solar panel owners face. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you consume, you have two options: sell it back to the grid, or store it in a solar battery. Selling it back might seem like a good idea, but you might not get a fair price for it. Storing it in a solar battery might seem like a better idea, but you need to find the right battery for your needs.
A solar battery is like a fridge for your solar energy. It keeps your excess energy fresh and ready to use when you need it. It can help you reduce your dependence on the grid, save money on your electricity bills, and provide backup power in case of an outage.
Now that we have a clear picture of what a solar battery does, let’s compare the SunPower SunVault and the Tesla Powerwall and see which one is better for your home or business.
Capacity
The capacity of a solar battery is the amount of energy it can store and deliver, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The higher the capacity, the more energy you can use from your battery.
The SunPower SunVault has a usable capacity of 13 kWh per unit, but it can be stacked up to four units for a total of 52 kWh. This means you can store more energy with the SunVault than with the Powerwall, which has a fixed capacity of 13.5 kWh per unit. However, you might not need that much capacity depending on your energy consumption and solar production.
Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar battery is the ratio of energy output to energy input, measured in percentage. The higher the efficiency, the less energy is lost during charging and discharging.
The Tesla Powerwall has a round-trip efficiency of 90%, which means it loses about 10% of the energy it stores and delivers.
The SunPower SunVault has a slightly lower efficiency of 89%, which means it loses about 11% of the energy. The difference is not very significant, but it might affect your savings over time.
Warranty
The warranty of a solar battery is the guarantee that the manufacturer provides for the performance and durability of the product. The longer the warranty, the more confident you can be in your investment.
The Tesla Powerwall has a 10-year warranty that covers both performance and capacity. It guarantees that the battery will maintain at least 70% of its original capacity after 10 years or 37.8 MWh of throughput, whichever comes first.
The SunPower SunVault also has a 10-year warranty that covers both performance and capacity. However, it guarantees that the battery will maintain at least 80% of its original capacity after 10 years or 37.8 MWh of throughput, whichever comes first.
This means that the SunVault has a slightly better warranty than the Powerwall in terms of capacity degradation.
Price
The price of a solar battery is the upfront cost that you pay to purchase and install the product. The lower the price, the faster you can recoup your investment through savings.
The Tesla Powerwall costs $12,000 for one unit, plus $1,100 for hardware and $3,500-$4,500 for installation. This translates to $1,260 per kWh for one unit.
The SunPower SunVault costs $12,500 for one unit, plus $1,000 for hardware and $3,000-$4,000 for installation. This translates to $1,269 per kWh for one unit.
This means that both batteries have similar prices per kWh, but they might vary depending on your location and installer.
Conclusion
Both the SunPower SunVault and the Tesla Powerwall are high-quality solar batteries that can help you optimize your solar system and save money on your electricity bills. However, they have some pros and cons that you should consider before making a decision.
The SunPower SunVault has a higher capacity than the Powerwall, which means you can store more energy with it. It also has a slightly better warranty in terms of capacity degradation. However, it has a slightly lower efficiency than the Powerwall, which means it loses more energy during charging and discharging.
The Tesla Powerwall has a higher efficiency than the SunVault, which means it loses less energy during charging and discharging. It also has a fixed capacity that might suit your needs better than stacking multiple units. However, it has a lower capacity than the SunVault, which means you can store less energy with it.
It also has a slightly worse warranty in terms of capacity degradation.
Ultimately, the best solar battery for you depends on your energy needs and preferences. You should compare multiple quotes from different installers and manufacturers to find the best deal for your situation.
If you want to know more about what suits your requirements, you can reach out to Maxeon Energy (www.MaxeonEnergy.com) or call our number. We are one of New Jersey's leader in solar innovation and sustainability, and we can help you find the best solar solution for your home or business.