Weighing the Options: Sonnen Battery Review

nconvenient as it may be, solar panels cannot generate electricity at night. Also, they produce just a small amount of electric energy on cloudy days. But no worries! Just pair them with a battery, and you'll be able to keep your home running on sunshine, no matter the time of day or weather conditions.

There is no shortage of solar battery brands on the market, but here we are going to narrow our focus to Sonnen and the products it offers, and explore why it has become one of the top choices for solar energy storage.

What is a solar battery?

In short, a solar battery is a battery created specifically to serve as a storage for the electric power produced by solar panels. The higher the capacity of a battery, the more energy it can store and the longer it can supply power to the home.

You don't need a battery for your photovoltaic panels to function; however, having one in place allows for increased energy independence and efficiency. This is because a battery stores the excess electricity the panels produce, allowing it to be used later instead of being sent back to the grid. Additionally, having a battery allows for energy use during peak demand times, such as in the evening when electricity rates are typically higher. This can result in significant cost savings for the homeowner.

Sonnen history

Nowadays, a Sonnen solar battery is one of the leading products in the solar storage industry both in Germany, where the company originated in 2010, and in some international markets, such as Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S. Back in the days when solar energy was only fed into the grid, Christoph Ostermann and Torsten Stiefenhofer, the founders of Sonnen, designed a system that allows solar roof panel owners to store their self-generated electricity for later use. Since 2019, the company has been part of the renowned Shell group. Sonnen offers a variety of services beyond battery solutions, including active energy management, smart metering, and virtual power plants.

Sonnen solar backup technologies

If you’re considering buying a Sonnen battery, there are two Sonnen energy storage technologies you can choose from, Sonnen Eco and Sonnen Core+. Below, we’ll explore the difference between them.

EcoLinx

The EcoLinx is an advanced battery technology that integrates with smart home automation systems, like lighting control, automated shades, and EV chargers. This solution includes battery modules, an inverter, and intelligent energy management software, which can be tracked on the go through the my sonnen app. The EcoLinx system is composed of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which is a safe storage technology due to its thermal and chemical stability. Moreover, the EcoLinx batteries do not contain cobalt and are 100% recyclable.

Solar saving refers to the financial benefits of using solar energy, including reduced electricity bills, tax incentives, and long-term cost savings.

Core+

Released in 2022, the Core+ is a more economical version of Sonnen home battery systems. Each model includes individual lithium-ion battery modules and a built-in inverter. Similar to EcoLinx and unlike many other backup solutions available on the market, Core+ devices by Sonnen are cobalt-free and fully recyclable. The Core+ doesn’t possess all the features of EcoLinx, but it does offer standard energy storage operating modes like solar self-consumption, backup power, and time of use mode (TOU) that enables you to store electricity in the battery when it is cheapest and then to use this stored energy to power your household at times of the expensive peak rates.

How much do Sonnen solar batteries cost?

Sonnen battery price can differ greatly based on the technology used. EcoLix, as a high-end product, is priced much higher than the average option. Most batteries will cost you from $7,000 to $15,000 to install, but for an EcoLinx solution, you will need to pay at least $36,000. So, if you are looking for a more affordable battery, pay attention to the Core+ storage technology, which starts at approximately $9,500.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of Sonnen solar products?

Purchasing a solar battery system is a smart choice for anyone looking to break free from relying on the power grid. One of the key benefits of choosing Sonnen solar battery solutions is the company's focus on software and system integration. But even if that's not what you're interested in, Sonnen still offers high-quality batteries to ensure you have backup power. Plus, the strong warranties they provide are a great bonus. The EcoLinx has one of the best warranties on the market, which is 15 years or 15,000 cycles with an end-of-warranty charge capacity of 65 percent.

While Sonnenbattery is undoubtedly a quality product, it's hard to ignore the fact that it's priced higher than many of its competitors. This could be a deciding factor for those on a budget.

Are Sonnen products a good choice for your solar energy system?

To summarize, Sonnen solar batteries have proven to be a reputable and valuable choice globally and are worth considering if you're looking to store surplus power. While the EcoLinx technology may be a more efficient choice, the cost of this Sonnen solar battery may be a concern for some. So if you're looking for an affordable and basic option that still offers quality, the Core+ is a solid option to consider.