Comment by mannyv
3 days ago
I have two solar panels that can generate around 960w/hr. Both panels cost around $400 ($200x2). Cheap.
Storing that energy is quite expensive. an Anker Solix 3800, which is around 3.8kwh, costs $2400 USD. To store 10kwh would cost $7200 USD (which gets us more than 10kwh).
If that cost asymmetry can come down then it becomes feasible to use solar power to provide cheap/local electricity in poor countries at a house scale.
There are way cheaper options than the Anker Solix 3800. Here are some options, in no particular order:
- $3,300: 10 kWh with 2x EG4 WallMount Indoor 100Ah.
- $3,110: 14 kWh with 1x WallMount Indoor 280Ah.
- $2,690: 10 kWh with 1x Deye RW F10.2 B
- Will Prowse's YouTube channel has reviewed several battery builds that are >10 kWh and near $2,000, but they're DIY assembly.
Batteryhookup has batteries for $40/kWh :) just put together a off grid setup for a friend and 8kwh cost $400 in parts!
I'll check that out. The goal is to get to something that runs all night (or almost all night) with around 1kwh output using as little space as possible. I've just started poking around, but this'll help.
In the third world there's plenty of sunlight, but you don't need the power during the day necessarily. That price'll get to $400 for storage, $400 for panels, which is ballpark.
And still much more than the cost of the solar panels, which was GP's point.
GP only has two panels that generate 960 W (I’m going to generously assume NMOT and not STC). That’s hardly anything, and certainly not what I would use to try and charge 10 kWh of battery like they’re suggesting.
But sure, I agree it would help if battery prices came down.
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The YouTuber Will Prowse has an excellent site where he tracks his most recommended batteries (and other equipment like inverters) at any time. The prices are always changing, and there are new products all the time so check on the his list any time you are looking to buy:
https://www.mobile-solarpower.com
Like the other commenter said, batteries are a lot cheaper if you are willing to shop around. His top recommended budget battery today is a 4x your Anker Solix's capacity, and around 1/4th the price. You can find many 5kWh server rack batteries for under $1000 now.
Here's a quote I got for a solar install in the Philippines this week:
51.2v 314ah cells (15kwh battery) 16x 580-590w solar panel
Installed for 310k PHP = $5,275
I've also specced out 15-16kwh batteries using the Yxiang design for around the price of your Solix. The problem in the US is regulatory and a particularly predatory tradesman market at the moment.
Is that "regulatory" the problem or is it the solution? We'll know more 20 years from now, looking back at fire incident statistics.
(yes, I'm leaving it open if regulation makes a difference or not - for all we know it could even make a negative difference, helping companies that are better at regulation than at safety. But if I had to bet, I know where my money would be)
Western storage options are very expensive.
We are starting to see Chinese options pop up but not sure if I would install them yet.
https://www.docanpower.com/eu-stock/zz-48kwh-50kwh-51-2v-942...
Wait that Anker Solix 3800 costs more than my 84kwh battery containing _car_ (3.8 kwh x 22 batteries)? Something not right.
Are you saying you bought an electric car with functional 84kwh pack for less than 3 grand? If so I think the outlier is you. That is a better deal than I have seen.
The batteries in MWh range cost around 160 EUR/kWh all in. Including grid connection and BOP.