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Want to find the ideal solar battery for your home?
When paired with solar panels, an inverter, and other essential components, a solar battery can offer you reliable home backup power in a blackout, and you can even achieve energy independence by going fully off-grid.
Here, we cover everything you need to know about solar batteries, from our top picks to what you should consider when finding your ideal fit.
Let’s dive in!
EcoFlow Top Solar Batteries for Your Home in 2024
Best for the Essentials: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
Best for Everyday Appliances: EcoFlow DELTA 2 + Smart Extra Battery
Best for Extended Outages: EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + Smart Extra Battery
Best for Expandability: EcoFlow DELTA Pro + Smart Extra Battery
Best for Customization: Power Kit
Best for the Essentials: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro
The most powerful option in the EcoFlow RIVER 2 line, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro weighs just 17.2 lbs (7.80 kg), so it still embodies the portable nature of the EcoFlow RIVER 2 line while packing more power.
With a 768Wh storage capacity, this is an excellent option for powering essential devices in a short blackout or on a camping trip. In fact, with an X-Boost output of 1600W, it can run 80% of high-wattage appliances in addition to charging your personal electronic devices like cell phones or laptops.
This battery can charge in as little as three hours when paired with the 220W bifacial solar panel but also offers the versatility of being compatible with AC, car adaptor, or USB-C charging.
When it comes to at-home use, the 30-ms switchover speed makes it a great choice to keep your essential appliances up and running during an outage.
Specifications
Capacity: 768Wh
AC Output: Pure Sine Wave, 800W total (surge 1600W), 120V ~ 50Hz/60Hz
Solar Charging Input: 11-50V 13A, 220W Max
Weight: Approximately 17.2 lbs (7.80 kg)
Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (270 x 260 x 226 mm)
Cycle Life: 80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fast charging
- Can power 80% of home appliances with X-Boost
- 30ms EPS auto-switch for essential devices
Cons
- Not a long-lasting power solution during an outage
Best for Every Day Appliances: EcoFlow DELTA 2 + Smart Extra Battery
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 with a smart extra battery offers an impressive 2048Wh of storage. With a substantial 1800W AC output, you can power over 90% of home appliances and plug in as many as 15 devices at one time.
Thanks to X-Boost technology, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 can prevent overloading from devices up to 2200W. With fast solar charging, you can easily keep your power supply topped off – or utilize AC or car charging if you’re short on power.
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 + Smart Extra Battery is equipped for emergencies. You can use it as an EPS or emergency power supply to auto-switch to battery power during a grid failure. This is a great option to keep your essential devices up and running during an outage.
Specifications
Capacity: 2048Wh
AC Output: 6 outlets, 1800W total (Surge 2700W)
Solar Charging Input:11-60V, 15A, 500W max
Weight: 27 lbs (12 kg)
Dimensions: 15.7 x 8.3 x 11 in (400 x 211 x 281 mm)
Cycle Life: 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity
Pros
- Larger capacity
- Powers over 90% of home appliances
- Long-lasting and comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t have sufficient AC output to operate many high-wattage appliances simultaneously
Best for Extended Outages: EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + Smart Extra Battery
With the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + Smart Extra Battery, you get the benefit of up to 3400W output power with X-Boost mode, allowing you to run 99% of home appliances. It also has 6 AC outlets, enabling you to power 15 devices simultaneously.
Where the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max + Smart Extra Battery shines is its 99% MPPT efficiency. Thanks to an innovative dual solar input design, this maximizes solar generation by allowing you to use multiple PV sources simultaneously.
Another great benefit of this option is its expandability. If one smart extra battery isn’t enough for you, you can add up to two EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Smart Extra Batteries for a staggering capacity of 6144Wh.
Specifications
Capacity: Up to 6144Wh (with 2 EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Smart Extra Batteries)
AC Output: 6 outlets, 2400W total (Surge 4800W)
Solar Charging InputL: 11-60V 15A, single port 500W; dual port 1,000W
Weight: 50 lbs (23 kg)
Dimensions: 19.6 × 9.5 × 12 in (497 × 242 × 305 mm)
Cycle Life: 3000 cycles to 80+% capacity
Pros
- Expandable capacity
- Can use multiple PV sources
- Runs 99% of home appliances
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Best for Expandability: EcoFlow DELTA Pro + Smart Extra Battery
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro itself features an impressive 3.6kWh capacity – which can be expanded up to an incredible 25kWh and even offer energy independence when expanded into a whole home generator.
Not only that, but this robust unit can power just about anything. With 3600W of AC output (7200W surge power), you can power heavy-duty appliances, including AC units, dryers, and more. Want to take things even further? Consider pairing 2 EcoFlow DELTA Pros together to achieve 7200W of AC output (14,400W surge power).
When paired with the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Smart Extra Battery, you double the original storage capacity to achieve 7200Wh.
On top of being incredibly powerful, this option is also incredibly expandable – you can connect 2 of these extra batteries to your EcoFlow DELTA Pro to achieve an astonishing 10.8kWh capacity that you can use off the grid.
When chaining 2 EcoFlow DELTA Pros together with the Double Voltage Hub, you can connect up to 8 x 400W rigid solar panels.
For more versatility, you can even recharge using EV charging stations.
Finally, thanks to the LiFePO4 battery, you can trust this option to be there for your power needs for years to come.
Specifications
Capacity: 7200Wh (with one EcoFlow DELTA Pro Smart Extra Battery)
AC Output: 5 outlets, 3600W total (Surge 7200W)
Solar Charging Input: 1600W Max, 11-150V, 15A Max (Expandable to 3200W with 2 x EcoFlow DELTA Pro)
Weight: Approx. 99 lbs (45 kg)
Dimensions: 25 x 11.2 x 16.4 in (635 x 284 x 420 mm)
Cycle Life: 6,500 cycles to 50% capacity, 3,500 cycles to 80% capacity
Pros
- Can be expanded up to 25kWh of storage
- Powers multiple home appliances simultaneously
- Provides plenty of power for extended grid failures
Cons
- A more expensive option
Best for Customization: Power Kit
Want to fully customize your off-grid electricity solution?
Then the Power Kit just might be for you.
With auto switchover and hassle-free home backup, the power kit offers the height of convenience and reliability for those who want to ensure they have the power they need when the grid fails.
These compact modular power solutions are an excellent choice for tiny homes and RVs, and it’s extremely easy to customize your energy, with bundles available for 2kWh, 4kWh, 5kWh, 10kWh, and 15kWh.
Specifications
Capacity: 2kWh – 15kWh (Varies based on the bundle)
Power Hub AC Main Output/Frequency: Pure Sine Wave, 3600W (Surge 7200W), 120V, 50Hz/60Hz
Solar Charge Capacity: Up to 4800W (Maximum)
Power Hub Net Weight: Approx. 30.85 lbs (14 kg)
Power Hub Dimensions: Approx. 11.8 x 18.9 x 5.5 in (300 x 480 x 140 mm)
Cycle Life: Varies based on the bundle
Pros
- Offers different options to suit various power needs
- Bundles offer up to 15kWh capacity
- Offers smart controls
Cons
- More options require more understanding of solar setups to make the right choice for you
How Do Solar Batteries Work?
Wondering how solar batteries work?
If so, let’s make it simple:
A solar battery’s purpose is to store the electricity your solar panels generate during daylight hours but don’t consume.
Having a solar battery integrated into your system helps ensure no electricity is wasted. Instead, it’s stored for use when your PV panels aren’t producing enough energy to power your home, such as during cloudy weather or at night.
Thanks to solar batteries, a solar system can provide you with reliable backup power during grid outages. With the right setup, you can achieve energy independence and ditch the grid completely. Off-grid systems allow you to say goodbye to your electricity bill once and for all.
Of course, there are grid-tied systems that incorporate solar batteries. On-grid solar systems don’t work during power outages without a solar battery.
What Are the Advantages of Solar Batteries?
Thinking about investing in a solar battery? They are an excellent component in any solar system and help to increase your resilience against grid failures.
Below, we’ll go into some of the advantages you can expect by investing in a solar battery as part of your solar panel system at home.
A Reliable Source of Backup Power
As more outages occur and the threat of natural disasters looming, it becomes increasingly important to have a strategy to contend with a downed power grid. With the right solar system and battery setup, you can rest assured that you can keep your essential appliances running during an outage.
With a solar battery with a smaller capacity, you may choose to keep just your devices charged and some smaller appliances running. With some of the more robust battery options, you might continue with life as normal – even during a blackout.
Reduce Dependence on the Power Grid
Even when the grid functions as it should, you might not want to be reliant on it. With the right solar power system and solar battery, you can reduce your reliance on the grid – saving you money in the process.
You could even go so far as to achieve energy independence, cutting yourself off from the grid entirely and saving significant amounts of money.
Thanks to generous government incentives like the Residential Clean Energy Act and falling costs, there’s never been a better time to switch to solar.
Once you achieve solar payback, the money you save on electricity bills stays in your pocket.
Money saved is money earned.
Protection from Fluctuating Electricity Rates
With rising electricity costs, there’s even more reason to reduce reliance on the grid. Even if you are still connected to the grid, your solar system and solar battery can help to reduce how much electricity you’re drawing from it, helping to shield you from rising rates.
Environmental Benefits
Solar energy is much more environmentally friendly than on-grid electricity. Solar energy technologies don’t create greenhouse gases or air pollution during operation, making them a much greener choice and allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint by using them.
Increased Home Value
Having a solar system with a solar battery installed in your home can even help to increase your home value. Because residential solar power systems result in lower electricity costs, it makes a property more appealing to buyers and can help to raise your property value.
What To Look for When Choosing a Solar Battery
As you can see, there are many reasons to invest in a solar battery, but choosing the right one can be challenging. Below, we’ll cover some things to keep in mind when finding your perfect fit:
AC vs. DC Coupling
Most solar batteries will be either DC-coupled or AC-coupled. Solar panels absorb sunlight and transform it into DC (direct current) electricity using the photovoltaic effect. A balance of system converts it into AC (alternating current) electricity for use in your home.
AC-coupled systems have a solar inverter that converts the AC electricity to DC electricity for storage, then converts it back into AC electricity again when it’s time to use it. In contrast, DC-coupled systems only convert the energy one time.
AC-coupled batteries have easier installation and work with existing solar systems. On the other hand, DC-coupled batteries have a more complex structure but work more efficiently. These are frequently used in new installations.
Battery Capacity
Storage capacity is one of the most important factors to consider, and it depends heavily on your specific power usage. You need to determine the capacity you need based on how many appliances you want to be able to run and for how long. This crucial step ensures you can store the necessary electricity in your batteries to fulfill your needs during an outage.
Depth of Discharge
You might think that a battery with a capacity of 3600Wh means that you can use that much 3600Wh of electricity before you have to recharge. However, many solar battery chemistries, such as lead acid, recommend using only 50% of the available storage.
Going beyond a battery’s recommended depth of discharge – the percent of the storage capacity consumed – harms the battery.
Keep the recommended depth of discharge in mind when choosing a solar battery. Another way of thinking of it is usable capacity.
All of the solar batteries featured in this article use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry, which offers the highest depth of discharge in the industry.
AC Output
What are you planning to power? Your off-grid solar power balance system, including a solar battery, can only output so much electricity at once. You must ensure your portable power station or other solution can power all the appliances you want to run simultaneously.
Also, don’t forget to factor in starting and running watts.
Compatibility
It’s important to note that not all solar batteries and solar panel systems are compatible. It’s essential to ensure your battery is compatible with the rest of your solar power system, such as your solar panels.
Expandability
You might have specific power needs now, but what if they grow in the future? If you already know how much electricity you will consume long-term, expandability may not be a dealbreaker for you. However, having the option to expand your system in the future can be highly beneficial.
Cost
The best option isn’t always the most expensive, especially if you end up with more battery storage than you’ll ever realistically need. You might do well with a smaller option for an off-grid tiny home or an RV. But you might want to consider something more robust for a large house with many occupants. Carefully weigh the cost against what you’re getting out of it.
Also, make sure to investigate what federal, state, and local government incentives might be available to you.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits that come with investing in an off-grid solar power system that includes a solar battery.
Some of the most compelling include
- Electricity bill savings or energy independence
- Reducing your household’s carbon footprint
- Reliable backup power during an outage
A crucial part of selecting the right off-grid solar power system is finding a solar battery that best meets your needs.
At EcoFlow, we have a wide range of portable power stations, solar generators, and Power Kits, including industry-leading solar batteries to meet your unique needs.
If you want a system that can grow with you and meet your future needs, check out the EcoFlow DELTA Pro + Smart Extra Battery and solar panels!
With 7200Wh of storage capacity, this complete balance of system really packs a punch and even allows you room to grow.
Check out our selection today and take the first step towards a more sustainable future!