The sonnenCore battery is without doubt one of the latest additions to the photo voltaic battery market. sonnen, a German battery producer, is greatest identified for its high-quality luxurious house vitality storage methods, the sonnen eco and ecoLinx.
sonnen launched the sonnenCore as an reasonably priced various to its line of present batteries. Now, sonnen is price aggressive with different reasonably priced house batteries, just like the Tesla Powerwall and the LG Chem.
However, what precisely units the sonnenCore aside from its rivals? On this article, we’ll take a better take a look at the sonnenCore’s price, specs, benefits, and whether or not or not it’s value it on your house.
What’s the sonnenCore battery?
The sonnenCore is a ten kWh all-in-one lithium-ion battery, particularly a lithium-iron-phosphate battery (LFP).
It’s composed of 4 separate battery modules, aptly named sonnenModules, which might be saved inside a white cupboard, together with a built-in photo voltaic inverter (sonnenInverter) to transform your saved DC photo voltaic electrical energy into usable AC electrical energy on your house.
Not like many house battery options in the marketplace, the sonnenCore doesn’t comprise cobalt. As a result of its battery chemistry is cobalt-free, there’s much less hazardous waste produced when the battery is manufactured and disposed of. Plus, it’s 100% recyclable.
This additionally implies that the sonnenCore is safer than another house battery choices. LFP batteries are much less more likely to expertise thermal runaway, or catch on fireplace. It is because LFP chemistry is extra secure at increased temperatures, and is barely bigger in dimension so a lot of these batteries aren’t as inclined to overheating.
How a lot does the sonnenCore battery price?
The sonnenCore battery prices $9,500, not together with set up, making it similar to different prime vitality storage choices in the marketplace. The Tesla Powerwall, for instance, prices $8,500 earlier than set up, and the LG Chem ranges between $5,000 and $7,000 earlier than set up.
This a considerable worth reduce in comparison with the sonnenCore’s predecessors. The eco begins at $10,000, whereas the 12kWh ecoLinx sells for $36,000! By releasing the sonnenCore at a lower cost level, sonnen is now in a position to broaden its attain to the on a regular basis home-owner.
It’s possible you’ll be questioning how they have been in a position to drop the general worth – the sonnenCore doesn’t have all the identical options because the eco and the ecoLinx. As an example, the sonnenCore can’t be custom-made, and it solely is available in one dimension. It additionally can’t be built-in with an exterior generator, and doesn’t function a sensible house hub.
The excellent news is, while you pair the sonnenCore with photo voltaic panels, it may qualify for the 26% federal tax credit. Certain states also offer their own solar battery incentives, like California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which will drop the price of the sonnenCore even further.
Key specifications for the sonnenCore battery
| Specification | sonnenCore |
|---|---|
| Usable storage capacity | 10 kWh |
| Power rating | 4.8 kW continuous/8.6 kW peak |
| Depth of discharge | 100% |
| Round trip efficiency | >85% |
| Warranty | 10 years or 10,000 cycles |
| Dimensions | 27 in. x 68 in. x 11 in. |
| Weight | 348 lbs |
| Operating modes | Time of use load shifting Solar self-consumption Emergency backup power |
sonnenCore power capacity
The sonnenCore has a usable capacity of 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. This is about one-third of the average American household’s daily electricity consumption.
It’s unclear if a number of sonnenCore batteries may be put in, or stacked, to extend the quantity of storage capability you’ll be able to have.
sonnenCore energy score
The ability score of a battery will let you know how a lot electrical energy it may ship at a time. Mainly, the facility score tells you what number of home equipment the battery can energy directly.
The sonnenCore battery has the flexibility to ship 4.8 kW of steady energy, which is normal for many lithium-ion batteries. With 4.8 kW of energy, sonnenCore will energy smaller 120-volt home equipment like microwaves or mini-fridges, your lights, and electrical shops.
sonnenCore spherical journey effectivity
The spherical journey effectivity tells you ways a lot electrical energy is used to retailer the vitality in your battery. The sonnenCore has a spherical journey effectivity of at the very least 85%. That is normal for lithium-ion vitality storage methods.
Which means for each 10 kWh of photo voltaic vitality you ship to the sonnenCore, 8.5 kWh will truly be saved within the battery on your house to make use of. The opposite 1.5 kWh was used to really retailer the vitality within the battery.
sonnenCore guarantee
The sonnenCore guarantee ensures that the battery will function at 70% of its unique capability after it goes by way of 10,000 cycles, or after 10 years, whichever comes first.
Which means after 10,000 cycles, the battery may have a capability of at the very least 7 kWh. However, the sonnenCore battery will final past 10 years – there’s simply no assure of how briskly the capability will degrade.
sonnenCore depth of discharge
The depth of discharge (DoD) of a battery tells you the quantity of electrical energy that has been launched from the battery, in comparison with the general battery capability.
The sonnenCore has a 100% depth of discharge, which suggests you should utilize 100% of the vitality saved within the battery with out harming the battery life.
sonnenCore dimensions and weight
The sonnenCore is 27 inches broad, 68 inches excessive, 11 inches deep, and weighs 348 kilos. That’s over 100 kilos heavier than the Tesla Powerwall and the LG Chem. When the legs on the underside of the cupboard are prolonged, the peak will increase to 73 inches.
All of that is to say that the sonnenCore is a giant battery, so you should have the area for it to ensure that it to be put in.
sonnenCore working modes
The sonnenCore has three essential working modes:
- Time-of-use load shifting permits your battery to regulate when it powers your own home primarily based on how a lot your utility is charging for energy during peak hours.
- Solar self-consumption couples with your solar panels to run your home entirely with the clean energy your solar panels produce. Instead of sending excess energy to the grid, you send it to your battery to use after the sun goes down and your solar panels stop producing.
- Emergency backup power mode is exactly what it sounds like – it stores energy in your sonnenCore for use if/when your power goes out.
The sonnenCore automatically switches to emergency backup mode to keep your home running in the event of a power outage. You can also monitor and control your battery’s settings right from your phone using the sonnen app.
Should you choose the sonnenCore battery for your home?
If you’re in the market for a battery storage system, the sonnenCore is definitely worth it for your home.
Although the sonnenCore has a slightly higher price than some other lithium-ion solar batteries on the market, its increased safety can give you peace of mind.
Not only that – its three operating modes let you tailor your battery exactly to your energy needs. You can reach out to sonnen-certified installers to find out if a sonnenCore is available in your area.
Still stuck between the sonnenCore and the Tesla Powerwall? Take a look at a comparison of the two battery systems here.
And if you’re curious about how much a solar-plus-storage system will cost for your specific home, check out our solar calculator! You’ll get a detailed estimate of how much solar will cost (and save!) you by powering your home with renewable solar power.
Key takeaways
- The sonnenCore battery is a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be paired with solar panels to power your home with solar 24/7, or be charged from the grid for emergency backup power.
- The sonnenCore costs $9,500 before installation, which is substantially cheaper than other sonnen battery models like the eco and ecoLinx.
- Unlike many lithium-ion batteries, the sonnenCore does not contain hazardous cobalt, making it both safer and more environmentally friendly than other batteries.
- You can choose between 3 different operating modes for your sonnenCore: Time-of-use mode, Solar self-consumption mode, and Emergency backup mode.
- If you are looking to pair your solar panels with a solar battery, the sonnenCore is a great choice.
