The most popular batteries on EnergySage in 2022

Before installing energy storage at your home, one of the biggest decisions you'll need to make is which equipment to install. But there are many different battery products to choose from – so where's the best place to start? In this article, we'll explore the most popular batteries on the EnergySage Marketplace. If you're curious to learn about other equipment that's popular on EnergySage, check out this article about the most popular solar panels or this one about the most popular inverters.

The energy storage industry has grown rapidly over the past few years, with more and more companies continuing to release new battery products. So, given the increasing variety of options, which batteries do residential solar shoppers compare–and choose–most often on the EnergySage Marketplace? There are a few different ways to assess the popularity of batteries; below, we do so in two separate ways:

1. The batteries installers most frequently quote.

2. The batteries solar shoppers most frequently select and ultimately install

It's important to note that the top quoted and top selected batteries are not identicalIt's important to note that the top quoted and selected batteries are not identical. So, if there's a battery brand you're particularly interested in but don't see in your quotes, always make sure to ask your installer!

Most quoted batteries

First, we'll take a look at the top 10 quoted batteries on the EnergySage Marketplace: Enphase takes the top place with its IQ 10 Battery, which includes 10.08 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of usable capacity. Despite being the most requested battery according to installers, the Tesla Powerwall 2 comes in second in terms of most quoted with its 13.3 kWh of usable capacity. LG Energy Solution, coming in at third, has the most battery models in the top 10 spots: the RESU 10H, RESU Prime 16H, and RESU Prime 10H are among the most quoted batteries on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Top 10 batteries (quoted) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

Most selected batteries

Enphase's IQ 10 Battery was not only the most commonly quoted but also the most commonly selected battery on the Marketplace in the first quarter of 2022. Spot number two is also occupied by the same product for the most quoted and most selected battery – Tesla's Powerwall 2. Despite being on the top 10 most quoted list, both Tigo and Panasonic don't make the list of most selected batteries. On the flip side, both SolarEdge and NeoVolta aren't among the top 10 most quoted batteries but come in at spot seven and 10, respectively, for most selected.

Top 10 batteries (selected) on the EnergySage Marketplace, nationwide

As with almost every data point in the solar industry, the results vary depending on the state. However, there's a similar trend when comparing the lists above with the most commonly selected solar battery in a few top solar states. Enphase's IQ 10 Battery (the most frequently quoted and selected battery) tops the list for seven of the eight states we examined, including California. Larger, solar-friendly places like California have higher populations interested in and moving forward with solar-plus-storage systems, so naturally, the popularity of Enphase's battery in these states drove high volumes for the product in solar quotes and installations on a nationwide scale.

Most popular batteries (selected) by the state on the EnergySage Marketplace

Well, why is any book, TV show, or gadget more popular than others? As anyone who's experienced the Twilight series knows, there isn't always a perfect correlation between quality and popularity. Multiple factors impact the demand for particular batteries:

Distribution networks

Distributors serve as liaisons between manufacturers and installers. There are a few major solar and storage equipment distributors in the United States, each with relationships with specific manufacturers and installation companies. Suppose certain battery brands are more popular in your area than elsewhere in the country. In that case, a distributor with closer ties to particular manufacturers may have a stronger presence in your market.

Availability

Like other products on the market, the solar industry gets hit by supply constraints. Material shortages and shipping restrictions can impact the availability of equipment, including batteries. In fact, in our most recent Installer Survey, 57 percent of installers stated that battery availability has decreased, with 27 percent saying it's decreased significantly. Even in a world without supply issues, you'd find that some batteries are more readily available than others simply because larger battery companies have more factories and build more products.

Installer preference

Every type of contractor–solar installer or otherwise–has likes and dislikes towards specific equipment. In the solar industry, you'll come across installation companies that prefer and recommend installing certain batteries because of the ease of installation, quality, performance, and/or cost (which we'll dive more into later).

Brand loyalty is also prevalent in the solar industry: many reputable installers have direct relationships with manufacturers through their endorsement programs, meaning they can access unique opportunities or better deals by selling products from a particular company. This isn't a bad thing; often, it means passing on cost savings, more substantial warranty offerings, and product expertise to you and other solar shoppers!

Consumer preference

Consumer demand plays a huge role in the popularity of a particular battery or manufacturer. Think about it: if you want to install a specific product and make those preferences known to your potential contractor, they will do what they can to provide you with that equipment or present an attractive alternative. The more battery shoppers ask for particular brands and products, the more likely installers are to buy, store, install, and recommend that equipment in the future.

However, other factors can outweigh consumer preference for some installers regarding inventory (especially availability!). According to our latest Installer Survey, while 47 percent of installers reported Tesla as the most requested battery, only 29 percent said they carried & quoted it.

Safety

The most popular batteries on the market today are all lithium-ion batteries. While these batteries are safe, they pose a slightly higher safety risk than some other available battery technologies. This increased risk is because of the chemical makeup of a lithium-ion batteries, which makes them more prone to overheating and combustion. While safety issues typically only arise when the battery is installed incorrectly or the battery quality is low, some battery brands have had more incidents than others.

Available sizes

Batteries can come in various sizes. Two important metrics to know when assessing the size of batteries are power and usable capacity. Power (measured in kilowatts, or kW) can be defined in two ways: peak (maximum) and continuous. Peak or maximum power refers to the maximum amount of electricity that can be output at a single time. In contrast, continuous power is the maximum amount of electricity that can be output consistently.

Usable capacity (measured in kWh) measures the maximum amount of electricity stored in your battery on a full charge. The top three most quoted and selected batteries on the EnergySage Marketplace are all close to 10 kWh in size, but those in the top 10 list range from 3.36 kWh to 17.1 kWh.

Some batteries are also easily stackable, so you can include multiple batteries in your system to meet your ideal backup power needs.

Cost

Another factor that influences how popular batteries are is cost. That doesn't mean cheaper batteries are more popular. In fact, the majority of shoppers on EnergySage reject the lowest-cost option, and most installers on the Marketplace propose higher quality, more expensive equipment. Popular batteries often offer good value, balancing cost and quality.

The average price per kWh ($/kWh) of the most popular battery models on the EnergySage Marketplace ranges from about $1,200/kWh to about $1,600/kWh. Interestingly, the most popular battery model, the Enphase Energy IQ 10 Battery, is the second most expensive on the list.

Average $/kWh of the most popular battery manufacturers on the EnergySage Marketplace

As mentioned above, consumer preference is a driving force behind solar battery popularity. As you're choosing a battery product, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Chemistry: the most popular batteries on our list are either lithium nickel, Manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), or lithium iron phosphate (LFP). Are you looking for a battery that's likely less expensive (typically NMC) or one that has a higher power rating and could last longer (typically LFP)?

• Size: how much backup power do you need? Do you want to stack multiple batteries to create a more customized size for your storage system?

• Performance: what's your battery's depth of discharge (DoD) and roundtrip efficiency? Are you willing to sacrifice the performance of your battery for a more affordable system?

• Coupling: are you adding storage to a pre-existing solar system or installing solar-plus-storage? AC-coupled storage systems work best if you're retrofitting your storage system, but DC-coupled storage systems tend to be more efficient.

• Ease of installation & serviceability: how easy is installing your storage system (this will impact the installation price)? If your battery needs any maintenance, can it be done in the field, or does the whole battery need to be shipped back to the manufacturer?

• Warranty: does the manufacturer offer a comprehensive warranty for their product?

• Monitoring app: what do you think of the monitoring app that goes along with your battery? Do you care if you have separate apps for your solar inverters and battery?

• Quality rating: how does the quality and durability of the battery compare to other options on the market?

• Manufacturer reputation: does the company standing behind the warranty offer good customer service? Are they bankable?

• Country of manufacture: are you willing to pay more for an American-made battery?

• Cost: will you get your bank for your buck? Is a more expensive battery actually worth the extra cost?

Learn more about choosing solar equipment.

The most popular batteries aren't always the right ones for your home. The best way to make sure you're installing the right equipment for the right price is to compare multiple options. Register for free on the EnergySage Marketplace today to get up to seven custom quotes from pre-screened local installers. Already have a specific battery in mind? Simply note it in your account so installers can include the battery in their quotes.