Sonnen battery vs. tesla: A comparison of two home batteries

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

Are you looking for new and innovative ways to power your home? In that case, you can choose different solutions that meet your needs, such as battery storage systems. Many brands offer various capabilities and features for that purpose. But we will take a look at the Sonnen battery vs. Tesla, making key comparisons to help you make an informed decision! 

What is the sonnenCore battery?

A sonnenCore battery refers to a 10kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery with individual sonnenModules supplying 4.8kW directly to your home. These generally last for either ten years or 10,000 cycles and feature a 6kW solar power inverter that converts DC into AC power. You also won’t need to worry about power outages in your home. The battery system will switch over to the backup power mode if a blackout occurs.

Example of an interter.

Example of an interpreter.

More impressively, sonnenCore allows you to control how much electricity you want to draw in from the power grid during on-peak hours. You will find this particularly useful in regions that charge rates based on energy consumption times throughout the day.

You can connect a solar panel system to your battery. 

You can connect a solar panel system to your battery. 

Owners can also power their residential unit via continuous solar energy by hooking up a solar panel system to the hybrid inverter. Of course, the battery app provides controllability over each mentioned feature. More importantly, these have a 10-year warranty, so you can expect them to last for a long time!

Sonnen battery vs. tesla: what’s the difference?

A battery system powering a home.

A battery system powering a home.

You will need to consider a few factors when shopping for a home modular battery. These include the price, hardware/software, battery chemistry, and power. After all, it helps determine which option makes more sense!

Price

Overall, both the Tesla Powerwall and sonnenCore have different costs. If you want to choose the most affordable option to save money, then take a look at the Tesla model! While the sonnenCore battery is $9,500, the Powerwall only costs $8,500.

However, you must also consider all installation costs, which means the final amount for the Powerall will be $11,500. You should also expect the sonnenCore to have a higher cost due to installation services.

Hardware and software

Both Tesla and Sonnen made their batteries fully integrated. In that case, each one includes essential hardware, such as electrical components, inverter, and software. Plus, the batteries are AC coupled, so a string inverter or micro inverter can connect to each system. In addition, they have junction boxes, sub-panels, and critical loads.

You can monitor energy management via the app. 

You can monitor energy management via the app. 

As for software, Tesla is working on providing communication capabilities between its cars and the battery’s system. Meanwhile, software in Sonnen systems can perform that task. It also fine-tunes according to how your home consumes the battery’s stored energy. As a result, the system optimizes energy efficiency. In addition, its utility communication protocols and API works for frequency regulation and demand response applications.

Chemistry

Chemistry is crucial to your battery because it determines its safety and performance. For example, cobalt-based batteries have proven to experience less stability and can catch fire (thermal runaway) if improperly managed. With that in mind, Tesla’s Powerall 2 battery contains cobalt, so you should consider those effects. Even then, Tesla developed technology designed to stop thermal runaways. So you won’t need to worry about battery damage in this manner.

On the other hand, Sonnen’s battery contains lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), making it more stable, safer, and reliable than Tesla’s battery. Not only that, but the LFP is more environmentally friendly than cobalt.

Power

Battery storage.

Battery storage.

Tesla’s Powerwall 2 battery storage capacity has a power rating of 13500 watts (13.5kW), ideal for daily loads. It also comes with a 7kW peak rating, ideal for heavier loads.

Meanwhile, sonnenCore offers a lower storage capacity, rated at 10 kWh, suitable for small loads. In addition, the battery comes with a five-second, thirty-amp power surge. Overall, the battery can provide backup power during a grid outage for up to 18 to 24 hours.

Is the Tesla Powerall 2 or SonnenCore The Better Option?

Each battery offers different features. 

Each battery offers different features. 

It can be rather difficult to determine which battery seems better. Of course, both the Sonnen battery and Tesla Powerall 2 offer exquisite features and capabilities, making each one impressive. It all depends on what you want these batteries to achieve.

Tesla’s Powerall 2 has excellent aesthetics and high performance. Its app even allows owners to keep an eye on the battery. Not only that, but the system offers solar system support, which means you can connect it to the system already installed.

Meanwhile, the Sonnen battery performs better, and you can utilize it for off-grid purposes. Plus, it offers a more stable, reliable, and cost-effective option than the Tesla model. The software on the sonnenCore battery provides an improved energy management system.

Therefore, the sonnenCore battery serves as a better option even though both operate very similarly.

FAQs

What other Powerall 2 battery alternatives can you purchase?

Other Powerall alternatives include Generac PWR cell, Enphase’s IQ battery, and LG Chem RESU (lithium-ion battery).

Can you upgrade the sonnenCore battery capacity?

Generally speaking, you can add more capacity and power output to the sonnenCore battery if required. You will need to ask a professional to install extra modules to meet the home’s energy demand.

Does the sonnenCore require an internet connection?

Yes, mainly for the warranty and home energy monitoring. Even then, the system can still operate without an internet connection, but automatic software updates won’t download and install.

Summary

As you can see, the sonnenCore provides more benefits compared to Tesla’s battery. For instance, the energy storage system comes with better capabilities that help you save money in the long run, thanks to its battery technology. So it provides a cost-effective option despite the slightly higher cost. Plus, the battery is safer, more reliable, and stable due to its lithium LFP chemistry.

Do you have any questions regarding the sonnenCore vs. Powerall 2 battery comparison? Feel free to contact us!

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