Since launching back in 2017, the Tesla Powerwall has been one of the most trusted and popular home battery storage solutions installed in Australia.
The Australian solar battery market has evolved significantly since its launch. A wave of new alternatives from different manufacturers has entered the market and provided greater choice for would-be buyers.
The latest version of the Tesla battery – the Powerwall 3 – continues to be a popular choice for homeowners looking for a proven home battery storage unit. However, in evaluating the suitability of the battery, it would be remiss not to highlight some of the best Powerwall alternatives on the market in Australia.
Tesla Powerwall 3 – the benchmark
The Tesla Powerwall 3 launched in Australia on 16 August 2024, marking the long-awaited successor to the popular Powerwall 2.
Tesla’s Powerwall 3 represents a significant upgrade on the now discontinued Powerwall 2. It can provide up to 20kW (DC) of power in very short bursts and 11.04kW of continuous power – q significant improvement on Powerwall 2’s 5kW.
When comparing Tesla Powerwall 3 vs 2, the major improvement between the two models is the Powerwall 3’s inclusion of an integrated solar inverter. The built-in inverter allows it to be added to any existing system seamlessly.
On paper, the Tesla Powerwall 3 shapes up well against rivals in both performance and ease of integration. On price, however, the Powerwall 3 does command a premium when compared against viable alternatives from other manufacturers.
Tesla Powerwall 3 key specifications
- Release date: August 16, 2024 (Australia)
- Type: All-in-one solar and battery system (DC-coupled)
- Capacity: 13.5 kWh usable energy storage
- Continuous power output: Up to 11.04 kW AC per unit
- Weight: ~132 kg
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
- Compatibility: Compatible with previous generation Tesla products and other non-branded Tesla batteries.
- Round trip efficiency: 97.5%
- Solar input: Up to 20 kW DC of solar input
- Price: From $11,200. This price does not include the required Tesla Gateway unit
1. AlphaESS Smile Series battery
The first Powerwall alternative for consideration is the AlphaESS Smile Series battery.
The AlphaESS battery is one of the most competitive-priced batteries available in Australia.
AlphaESS’s range of batteries compare favourably with the Powerwall on two key fronts: price and stackability. Typically, the AlphaESS batteries are priced around $600 – $700 per kWh of storage once rebates are applied. Whereas the Tesla batteries sit just under the $1,000 per kWh mark.
The Smile Series batteries can be added to in 3.8 kWh or 5 kWh modules, depending on which model is selected. By comparison, the Powerwall is stackable, but only in 13.5 kWh units.
In its favour, the Powerwall has greater maximum power output and continuous power output. It is also a considered to be a premium brand with a great design, and has built a solid reputation for reliability in all its years in the Australian market.
Aplha ESS vs Powerwall – side by side comparison
| Category | AlphaESS Smile Series | Tesla Powerwall 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | 3.8 – 45.6kWh | 13.5kWh |
| How many can I stack? | 45.6kWh | 54 kWh – up to four Powerwall 3s |
| Round-trip efficiency | 95% | 97.50% |
| Depth of discharge | 100% | 100% |
| Peak power output | 10kW | 20kW |
| Continuous power output | 5kW | 11.5kWh |
| Battery type | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) |
| Price | $8,000 – $10,000 | $12,000 – $14,000 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years |
2. Sungrow SBR HV
The second alternative is the Sungrow SBR HV, a stackable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery with capacities ranging from 9.6 kWh to 25.6 kWh. The entry-level Sungrow SBR HV SBR096 requires a minimum of three modules to achieve 9.6 kWh of usable storage, scaling up to 25.6 kWh in the SBR256, which uses eight modules.
Few residential customers will require more than the maximum 25.6 kWh from the Sungrow SBR HV SBR256, four stacks can be connected in parallel for a maximum power output of up to 102.4 kWh.
Sungrow SBR HV vs Tesla Powerwall – side by side comparison
| Category | Sungrow SBR HV | Tesla Powerwall 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | 9.6 kWh to 25.6 kWh | 13.5kWh |
| How many can I stack? | 102.4 kWh – up to four 25.6 kWh stacks in parallel | 54 kWh – up to four Powerwall 3 units |
| Round-trip efficiency | >97% | 97.50% |
| Depth of discharge | 100% | 100% |
| Peak power output | Variable according to size | 20kW |
| Continuous power output | Variable according to size | 11.5kWh |
| Battery type | lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) |
| Price | $8,000 (9.6kWh) – $22,000 (25.6kWh) | $12,000 – $14,000 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years |
3. BYD Battery-Box
The final alternative for consideration is BYD (Build Your Dreams), Tesla’s biggest rival in the EV space.
The Chinese company recently eclipsed Tesla as the highest-selling electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in the world. But unlike Tesla, which started as an EV manufacturer and later moved into batteries, BYD started out as a battery manufacturer before entering the EV market.
The BYD Battery-Box is a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery and one of the most popular Powerwall alternatives in Australia. Just like the aforementioned Sungrow SBR HV range, the BYD Battery-Box uses a stackable modular design to extend storage capacity:
| Model | Module size | No. of modules | Total storage capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD LVS (4kWh) | 4 kWh | 1 to 6 | 4 – 24 kWh |
| HVS (2.56kWh) | 2.56 kWh | 2 to 5 | 5.12 – 12.8 kWh |
| HVS (2.76kWh) | 2.76 kWh | 3 to 8 | 8.28 – 22.08 kWh |
BYD Battery Boxes can be stacked with additional modules either at the time of purchase or later, up to the maximum capacity allowed for each model.
BYD Battery-Box vs Powerwall – side by side comparison
| Category | BYD Battery Box | Tesla Powerwall 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | 4 – 22kWh | 13.5kWh |
| How many can I stack? | 256 kWh – up to 16 Battery-Box LVS 16.0 in parallel | 54 kWh – up to four Powerwall 3s |
| Round-trip efficiency | 95% (minimum) | 97.50% |
| Depth of discharge | 100% | 100% |
| Peak power output | Variable according to size and inverter | 20kW |
| Continuous power output | Variable according to size and inverter | 11.5kWh |
| Battery type | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) |
| Price | $4,000 (4kWH) – $24,000 (22kWh) | $12,000 – $14,000 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years |
Is it worth considering Powerwall alternatives?
In a nutshell – yes, it’s always worth considering viable alternatives.
Buyers have more choice than ever before. When the Tesla Powerwall launched in 2017, there were very few options on the market – which made Tesla the default choice for early adopters looking to optimise energy usage and have reliable backup power functionality.
Today, however, the market is full of Powerwall alternatives. Whether you’re configuring a new setup, or you’re upgrading your old battery – it’s about finding the product that suits your requirements. Before buying, understand your requirements and storage needs so that you don’t over (or under) invest on the wrong setup.
The AlphaESS, Sungrow and BYD units all offer a slightly more competitive solar battery price than the Tesla Powerwall 3.
Our 2 cents worth
The Tesla Powerwall batteries have a proven record in Australia, delivering a highly functional and attractive home battery solution.
The Tesla Powerwall 3 has built on this strong foundation with greater maximum output, competitive pricing and a built-in inverter – meaning it can be easily paired with any solar panel system. It remains a terrific option for existing solar owners as the battery can slot straight into any system without the need for a new hybrid inverter.
The chasing pack, or the best alternative storage solutions, deliver more flexible battery size units and cost less per kWh of storage to install.
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