Sungrow Battery vs Tesla Powerwall Review

Solar power adoption continues to rise in Australia as every homeowner’s way to combat rising energy costs and adapt a more sustainable lifestyle. With an efficient and reliable solar power system, you can begin saving on electricity bills and decrease your reliance on the grid. Sounds like an ideal arrangement? It’s because it is!

There is, however, one ubiquitous question that you might have come across when exploring the promising landscapes of solar energy: What happens if you have solar and the power goes out? Unfortunately, once the power goes out, your system automatically shuts down for safety reasons — unless you’ve taken your home off-grid or invested in a solar battery. 

What is a solar battery?

If you’ve spent significant time researching solar panels, chances are you know what solar batteries are for. But just as a refresher, a solar battery is a device that’s meant to store excess energy produced by your solar panels. 

When sunlight is abundant during the day, it’s only wise to have an energy storage system to save surplus energy output. Stored energy, for starters, can be used during those times when sunlight is lacking. Even more helpful, any saved up energy truly comes in handy during blackouts. 

To increase your energy independence and protect yourself and your family from unexpected power outages, getting a solar battery is worth considering. Luckily, the solar market offers plenty of reliable options, two of the most leading brands being Sungrow and Tesla. 

In this review, we’ll compare Sungrow Battery vs Tesla Powerwall in terms of company expertise and specialisation, unique features, pricing, warranty, and durability. 

Sungrow Battery Review: Affordable Energy Storage Solutions

Sungrow is a Chinese company that started operating in 1997. With a robust presence of nearly three decades, their solar batteries are widely considered reliable and cost-effective. That’s why they’re perfect for first-time energy storage users who are thrilled to have their own home energy systems, but are rightfully intimidated by the high costs that solar batteries are often associated with. 

The capacity for each Sungrow battery module is 3.2kWh. Overall, its battery storage can be equipped with up to eight battery modules, bringing the total capacity to 25.6kWh. Sungrow’s modularity gives you flexible options so that you can easily tailor the battery size to meet your particular energy needs. 

Sungrow Battery Features

Sungrow’s solar batteries offer the following key features: 

Safe and stable: Sungrow’s solar batteries, such as the SBR HV series, use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery cells.They are known for being the safest type of lithium battery. 

Cost-effective: Compared to Tesla, Sungrow’s offerings are more affordable. Their accessibility price-wise makes them an appealing choice for budget-conscious consumers. 

Easy installation: Lightweight and compact, solar batteries from Sungrow can be installed with ease. Plus, Plug and Play feature that allows wiring-less connection between modules. 

Three-phase support: Such setups help balance loads and meet higher energy demands. One of the things you can do with an energy storage that supports three-phase systems is quickly and efficiently charge an electric vehicle. 

Tesla Powerwall Review: Power Through Innovation

Tesla is a reputable brand worldwide best known for their electric vehicles, EV chargers, and energy storage solutions, although their solar battery named Powerwall was only introduced in 2015. Despite Tesla being the newer company, their innovative tech and diligent development of sustainable energy solutions secured their global success. 

Tesla Powerwall Features

Tesla batteries are equipped with advanced features, which, along with its established worldwide reputation, explains its heftier price tag. Some of Tesla Powerwall’s benefits are listed below: 

Advanced battery chemistry: The latest Tesla Powerwall 3 also uses lithium iron phosphate battery cells for increased safety and stability, moving away from Powerwall 2’s Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry. 

Reliable backup power: Tesla’s Powerwall automatically provides backup power during an outage. It also utilises the Storm Watch feature, which enables the Powerwall to charge to maximum capacity once it detects several weather events. 

Compact and sleek design: The Powerwall is easy on the eyes, ideal for homeowners who want their home energy systems to be aesthetically pleasing, and its compact design makes installation easier. 

Tesla app for real-time monitoring: The accompanying app exclusive for Tesla users provides real-time data about energy production and consumption, and more importantly, storage. These are all important when analysing how your energy storage system operates and it’s always helpful to know your household’s consumption to better understand your needs and patterns. 

Warranty Comparison: Sungrow Battery Review vs Tesla

Both Sungrow and Tesla offer a 10-year warranty for their solar batteries. The only difference is that Sungrow guarantees at least 60% of the original capacity during that period, while Tesla can maintain 70% of its capacity for 10 years. 

When it comes to customer support, Tesla has a stronger presence in Australia than Sungrow, which, despite being also well-known, has a limited support network in the country. 

Durability and Performance: Sungrow Battery vs Tesla

In terms of battery chemistry, Powerwall 3 and Sungrow’s SBR series both use lithium iron phosphate for enhanced safety and durability. When it comes to longevity, Sungrow’s SBR series offer an exceptional cycle life of up to 6,000 cycles, while Tesla’s new Powerwall covers 4,000 to 6,000 cycles. 

For overall durability, Sungrow’s SBR batteries may have a slight advantage if compared with the older Powerwall 2, mainly because of its Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion chemistry (shorter cycle life and less thermal stability). 

It’s a different story when comparing with Powerwall 3, Tesla’s latest energy storage system that now uses lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry. Of course, Powerwall 3, which was only released in Sydney on August 16, 2024, is a much more expensive option. We’ll discuss approximate pricing below. 

Sungrow Battery vs Tesla: Which is the more affordable option?

With Sungrow being the more cost-effective option, you can expect from the get-go how they’re the more affordable option. For instance, the price of a 12.8 kWh Sungrow battery can range from $9,500 to $10,500 plus installation. The latest Tesla Powerwall 3, on the other hand, costs around $13,600 plus installation. 

Tesla’s higher costs may be justified by its advanced features and brand recognition. 

Sungrow Battery vs Tesla Powerwall: Conclusion

Both Sungrow and Tesla batteries are efficient and durable home energy storage systems that can protect your home from power outages. If you’re a budget-conscious customer who still values quality above all, Sungrow’s batteries won’t disappoint. They remain to be cost-effective and flexible options that also provide a three-phase support. 

If you consider brand recognition, advanced features, and aesthetics to be important factors when choosing the best solar battery, Tesla’s latest Powerwall 3 may be a good fit for you. Being a renowned brand, the higher upfront costs may be offset by its potential resale value. 

Need more time and materials to make a decision? Check out more guides here or call us at 1300 865 832 — we’re here to help you determine the best options that fit your solar needs.