As more homeowners adopt solar technology to reduce their reliance on grid-based electricity, the popularity of home battery storage has grown substantially. Despite being a relatively new industry, homeowners have a wide range of battery options to choose from.
Let’s take a look at two of the major players in home-battery storage solutions: the Tesla Powerwall 2.0 and the LG Chem RESU. We’ll break down what makes these two products so dominant in their respective categories.
Tesla Powerwall 2.0
Released in 2015, the Tesla Powerwall 2.0 utilizes Panasonic-made Li-ion battery cells that exhibit a solid round-trip efficiency of 89%. This is on the higher end of the industry average, which typically ranges from 75-90% efficiency.
The Powerwall comes with an integrated charger/inverter (which was missing in the original model), in addition to an advanced liquid cooling system.
Surprisingly, Tesla only offers one product size, 13.5 kWh, at the time of writing this article.
One of the highlights of Tesla’s newest Powerwall is the warranty, which offers homeowners ten years of protection at a guaranteed battery capacity of at least 70%.
On the flip side, this technology doesn’t come cheap.
Homeowners can expect to fork CAD $20,000 (including installation, shipping, taxes, and USD conversions), depending on the project’s specifications. Part of the high price tag is undoubtedly paying for the Tesla brand, which consumers should be mindful of.
Cost and kilowatt breakdown
- Powerwall 2.0: Approx CAD $20,000 (including installation) DC – AC Inverter included
- Power output (AC) – Continuous = 5.0kW, Maximum Peak= 7.0kW
- Round trip efficiency (claimed) = 89% including inverter losses
- Warranty is 10 years
LG Chem RESU
Despite primarily being known for its personal technology and home appliance products, LG is one of the world’s largest solar battery manufacturers. Countless competitors utilize LG’s battery cell technology, though Tesla is not among them.
LG Chem’s highlight is its outstanding 96% round-trip efficiency, making it a clear industry leader on this front.
The company credits its flat ‘pouch’ design for improving the energy density, safety, and reliability of its battery cell technology.
A variety of model sizes are offered, including a 6.5, 9.8, 13, and 16kWh version.
The LG Chem offers the same industry-standard ten-year warranty as Tesla but at 60%, not 70% guaranteed battery capacity.
The most salient difference between these two products, however, is not the warranty but the price. The LG Chem will set homeowners back 10,000 (before installation), making it drastically cheaper than the Tesla Powerwall.
Cost and kilowatt breakdown
- RESU H 9.8kWh – From CAD $10,000
- Power output – 48V – Continuous = 5.0kW, Maximum Peak = 7.0kW
- Round trip efficiency (claimed) = 96%
- Warranty is 10 years
Our Conclusion
For homeowners looking to become even more energy independent or save money on their electricity bills, both of these battery options represent ideal investments.
Households need to consider their average electricity consumption, in addition to any notable future wants they may have (such as purchasing an electric vehicle) before deciding on an installation.
There’s no definitive answer between which of these products is superior. Our advice is to contact us for a personalized assessment.
The Tesla Powerwall is backed up by its brand’s juggernaut reputation and offers an unbeatable warranty. In contrast, LG Chem offers a cheaper, more flexible design with greater emphasis on round-trip efficiency.
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Let us know if you are interested in any of these battery solutions. We have a no-obligation assessment process that provides you with all the information you need to make an educated decision.
