Solar storage company sonnen recently joined other solar battery retailers in Australia in introducing the sonnenBatterie.
The German-headquartered business’ solar storage system has attracted much interest from Australians who wish to maximise their solar panels, and reduce their dependence on the energy grid. What sets the sonnenBatterie system apart from competitors? Is the major upfront investment worthwhile in the long run? Read on to find out what this brand has to offer and whether it is the right fit for you.
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sonnenBatterie Evo
Designed using German engineering, the sonnenBatterie Evo is an innovative and compact solar battery storage system. According to sonnen the sonnenBatterie Evo is optimised for performance, allowing households to self-produce and use their own affordable clean energy. It also comes with back-up power capabilities to help keep lights and appliances running through blackouts.
Like other solar home batteries, it works by storing the power your solar panels have produced during the day for you to use at night. The sonnenBatterie Evo is also the first of sonnen’s products with the flexibility for either indoor or outdoor installation. It is designed specifically to suit Australian and New Zealand homes.
Additionally, those with a sonnenBatterie also join the sonnenCommunity where solar generated energy is shared amongst households in a bid to reduce their collective reliance on the grid.
The sonnenBatterie Evo comes with 10kWh of usable capacity across two 5kWh battery modules. Other notable features include its cobalt-free and lithium iron phosphate cell technology and 10-year or 10,000 charge cycles conditional warranty. The battery itself comes with an inverter, so you are ready to connect after purchasing.
sonnenBatterie Evo Specs
| Nominal battery capacity | 11kWh |
|---|---|
| Usable capacity | 10kWh |
| Cell technology | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Weight in kg | 163.5kg including cabinet |
| Dimensions (H/W/D) in mm | 710 mm x 1400 mm x 427 mm |
| Inverter output | 5kW |
| Inverter efficiency | 94.4% |
| Ambient temperature range | -5°C to 45°C |
| Dust and water protection | IP 56 |
| Operating mode | Single phase |
| Warranty | 10 years or 10,000 cycles |
This data is based on the specifications of the sonnenBatterie Evo.
How much does the sonnenBatterie Evo cost?
The price of the battery system will depend on the specific size you choose, where you live and your choice of installer. Solar battery storage systems are not cheap; that said, there are systems that are more expensive, and systems that are less expensive. The easiest way to get an accurate price specific to your household is to contact a certified sonnen installer.
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sonnenConnect
Customers who purchase a solar battery of 4kWh capacity or higher with sonnen also have optional access to the sonnenCommunity power network when they sign up to sonnenConnect. sonnen connects its solar customers with a larger community that shares the clean energy they generate with each other. Joining sonnenConnect gives sonnen control of your storage system as it becomes part of a virtual power plant (VPP), whereby electricity can be exported from your battery pack and regenerated as necessary.
sonnen claims on its website that sonnenConnect allows customers to earn up to $24 each month for participating in its VPP network.
sonnenConnect is currently available in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. To be eligible, customers must be connected to the grid and have a sonnenBatterie with a 4kWh capacity or greater. Interested customers must also not already be connected to a VPP with another provider.
For full details, including terms and conditions, it is best to visit the sonnen website.
sonnenFlat
sonnen also offers customers an innovative electricity plan, designed to work alongside a sonnenBatterie, called sonnenFlat. Similar to sonnenConnect, this plan also allows customers to join the sonnenCommunity and partake in stabilising the grid through sonnen’s VPP network.
sonnenFlat comes with no lock-in contracts or contract terms and voids the cost of a daily supply charge through the use of a fixed monthly rate. This rate also includes a proportion of usage charge costs. However, any usage exceeding this limit will be charged at an additional rate. Customers on this offer will also be awarded a solar feed-in tariff for energy exported above the annual export threshold.
To be eligible for this offer customers will need to have a sonnenBatterie with a minimum capacity of 4kWh. Households also cannot be connected to sonnenConnect and sonnenFlat at the same time.
sonnenFlat is available to residents in New South Wales, Victoria, southeast Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Pricing is available on the sonnen website.
Compare solar electricity plans
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Should I invest in a sonnenBatterie?
While there certainly are benefits of owning a sonnenBatterie, purchasing this storage system will ultimately come down to your personal circumstances, and whether you can calculate a return on your investment. Solar batteries aim to reduce your reliance on the grid by allowing you to utilise the energy you would have otherwise fed into the grid during peak sunlight hours.
The sonnenBatterie is no different. You’ll save money on your electricity bills simply by not buying as much power from the grid. But whether those savings will make up for the upfront investment in a reasonable timeframe will depend on many factors such as the size of your panels and storage system, not to mention your energy usage requirements, so it’s best to crunch the numbers before making any costly decisions.
That said, the sonnenBatterie is certainly advanced as far as solar battery technology is concerned, and whether you’re after a system that allows you control over where your battery power is funnelled into, or you’re simply looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, the sonnenBatterie can deliver that.
If you’re sitting on the fence, or not really interested in a battery system, it might be worth having a look at the solar feed-in tariffs and providers available in your area.
Image credits: sonnen.com, Roschetzky Photography
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