Interested in solar battery backup but don’t want a Tesla Powerwall? Don’t worry, you’ve got options!
The Tesla Powerwall is one of the most well-known battery brands available today—it’s sleek, durable, and can run large loads like a well pump or a heat pump.
But the Powerwall is not without drawbacks. If you’re looking for something more affordable, want a different brand name, or are just curious about what else is out there, Cascadia Solar can help.
We install several high-quality solar battery options, including the Tesla Powerwall, FranklinWH, and Enphase IQ. Since we aren’t tied to one brand, we can provide honest, unbiased recommendations based on your needs.
We wrote this guide to help you compare your options and find a solution that works for your home, your budget, and your backup power requirements.
FranklinWH: Best Tesla Battery Alternative
If you’re looking for the closest match to the Tesla Powerwall in terms of design and performance, the FranklinWH battery is our top recommendation. The new aPower 2 from FranklinWH has a sleek, modern design and outperforms Tesla’s latest battery, the Tesla Powerwall 3, in several key areas:
FranklinWH aPower 2 | Tesla Powerwall 3 | |
Storage Capacity | 15 kWh, 10 kW continuous output | 13.5 kWh, 11.5 kW continuous output |
Scalability | Stack up to 15 units for a maximum of 225 kWh | Stack up to 4 units for a maximum of 54 kWh |
Warranty | 15 years | 10 years |
Durability | Flood resistant up to 3.3 feet | Flood-resistant up to 2 feet |
In addition to being a powerful, high-capacity battery, the FranklinWH solar battery is also extremely flexible. It can charge from your solar panels, the electric grid, a generator, or even an electric vehicle, so you don’t have to rely on just one source for backup power.
Enphase IQ: Best Affordable Powerwall Alternative
If you’re looking for a high-quality but lower-cost alternative to the Tesla Powerwall, the Enphase IQ solar battery is a great choice. It’s a smaller battery with a lower storage capacity, but it has a great reputation, stellar tech support, and fewer failures compared to other systems. Plus, Enphase is a US-based company that manufactures many of its products in the United States.
Enphase IQ 5P | Tesla Powerwall 3 | |
Storage Capacity | 5 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
Scalability | Stack up to 16 units for a maximum of 80 kWh | Stack up to 4 units for a maximum of 54 kWh |
Warranty | 15 years | 10 years |
System Integration & App Control | Pairs seamlessly with Enphase microinverters and can be monitored from the same app as your solar panels. Also integrates with the Enphase Level 2 EV charger. | Separate apps are required for solar and storage systems. |
How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Home
At the end of the day, there’s no universal “best” solar battery. Every option has its pros and cons. The goal is to find one that fits your backup power requirements, priorities, and budget the best.
Some things to consider as you weigh your options:
- Do you want whole-home or partial-home backup?
- Which appliances or devices are most important to power during an outage?
- Are you adding a battery to an existing solar system or starting fresh?
- What’s your budget, and what are your long-term energy goals?
It’s a lot to process, and it can quickly become overwhelming. At Cascadia Solar, we guide you through. We’ll help you answer all of these questions and more so we can recommend a battery that makes the most sense for your home and needs.
We’ve been installing solar energy systems here on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas for over 17 years, and we know what works in our region. If you’ve got questions, we’re happy to talk things through. Reach out today for a free, no-pressure consultation.
