The Complete Review of the SonnenCore Battery

If you have a solar power system (or are considering installing one) and are looking for ways to get more out of the energy you produce, adding a solar battery bank can be exactly what you need. But how do you know which solar battery is the best option for your system and your home’s needs? There are many excellent brands on the market. For this article, we’ll focus on reviewing the SonnenCore battery from one of the leading manufacturers in energy storage, Sonnen. Keep reading to learn what you should know when deciding whether or not this battery is right for you.

What is the SonnenCore?

The SonnenCore battery is much more than a battery; it’s a fully integrated energy storage system, including an inverter and smart energy management software. It’s more compact than previous products from Sonnen, especially considering its all-in-one capabilities. It pairs easily with most solar panel systems, allowing you to maintain a sustained power supply throughout the day and night (as long as you’re storing enough energy during daylight hours).

When your panels produce more power than you need, the SonnenCore system stores it for later use. It works with grid-tied systems as well, allowing users to take advantage of peak shaving to further reduce electricity bills. Because most city grids implement a time-of-use policy, where they’ll charge more for energy usage during certain times of the day, the SonnenCore can work to charge your batteries during low-cost hours. It will also allow you to use that stored power during times when electricity would cost more.

Key Things to Know about the SonnenCore

Being an all-in-one system does give the SonnenCore a leg up on the competition. It’s simple and easy to install and even easier to use. However, there are still a few key things you should know when deciding if this is the right option for you:

Size – In this case, we’re talking about “size” in terms of capacity, not physical size. Currently, the SonnenCore only comes in one size, with a maximum power rating of 8.6 kW and a usable capacity of 10 kWh. The lack of other size options does make it difficult to find more flexible solutions for your solar power needs. However, combining multiple SonnenCores can provide more power (and more storage) for your home.
Roundtrip efficiency – This metric refers to a battery’s electrical losses when charging and discharging. The more efficient a battery is, the less electricity is lost during these processes and the more usable energy you keep. The SonnenCore has a roundtrip efficiency of about 85%, which is about average for solar batteries currently on the market.
Depth of discharge – Also known as DoD, this metric indicates what percentage of the stored power your battery can discharge without damaging itself. The higher the DoD, the more stored battery power you can use. The SonnenCore has a 100% DoD, which is actually quite incredible for current solar batteries; very few on the market can achieve this.
Warranty – Warranties are always an important consideration when making this kind of investment. The Sonnen battery line is backed by a 10-year or 10,000-cycle warranty, which guarantees your battery will still be able to store at least 70% of its initial capacity by this time. This type of guarantee (as opposed to simply guaranteeing against failure) can offer a lot of peace of mind that your batteries will offer exceptional performance for a decade or more.
Cost – Of course, the cost is also always important to consider for these types of investments. The SonnenCore starts at $9,500, a fair price for an all-in-one system that includes both batteries and an inverter. However, remember that this still only represents a portion of the total costs for your solar system. You’ll also need solar panels and other equipment, in addition to the labor and installation costs.

Is the SonnenCore Right for You?

There are many different ways to build a solar power system. Finding the system design best suits your home’s needs is important. If you’re looking for an easy way to add storage to your system, the all-in-one design of the SonnenCore can be a great way to do that. However, if you prefer to add batteries later on—or if you don’t want to use a battery bank at all—then another option will likely work better for you.

If you’re still unsure about the Sonnen back system and need help deciding the best system design for your home, contact The PowerStore, Inc. today. We offer many types of equipment and various solar solutions to help any homeowner get the renewable, clean energy they’re looking for.