The handful of manufacturers of integrated solar PV panels and battery storage systems on the market are increasing the sophistication of their offerings, touting more power, longer warranties on parts and labor, breakdown calls One-stop O&M and high consumer confidence in major brands.
Although assembling a solar + storage system from disparate manufacturers may cost less, or may be what some installers recommend (sometimes depending on warehouse stock), the benefits of an integrated approach seem the far outweigh any additional upfront costs that may exist. At least that’s the bet that a growing number of companies are making.
Trust the big brands
Big brands have always commanded a premium in the US market, and top branded + solar storage providers rely on this consumer preference. “Consumers will pay more for premium brands,” said Bruce Chandler, Panasonic’s North West Regional Sales Manager, on a solar builder online seminar.
Other internationally renowned integrated solar + storage manufacturers, such as Tesla, and until recentlyLG, may also have a head start on installation scale compared to other PV manufacturers at the moment – such as Canadian Solar, Jinko and Qcells – which have recently added their own ranges of energy storage systems (more on those later). However, no built-in castle is impregnable: LG decided in February to withdraw from the manufacture of photovoltaic panels, thanks to price competition from China. And while Tesla still manufactures solar panels, the backlog of installations has been exacerbated by supply chain issues.
These factors, along with the expansive growth to come through the passage of the IRA, mean a wide open for new contenders for the full PV+ storage system.
Some integrated system vendors who manufacture some of the key components but not PV—such as Enphase and Generac—may also charge a premium for the assurance of having a single vendor for O&M and warranty for a portion of the system. But these partially integrated manufacturers are still dependent on a large panel manufacturer to make a sale.
This is how the grand brand-on-brand alliance approach arises, such as Panasonic-plus-Enphase, which combines two or more major brands for an overall system benefit to consumers.
Taking the brand alliance concept one step further into vertical integration, some racking manufacturers are now also covered by unique comprehensive warranties for solar + storage systems. IronRidge and Unirac, for example, are both covered by Panasonic’s 25-Year Parts and Labor Warranty Now.
More performance from Gen X versions
Upgrading power and other performance factors into the latest generation version of an integrated solar + storage system is key to maintaining a market edge.
For example, Panasonic’s Gen 2.0 EverVolt system, which is expected to be released by the end of this year, increases the power rating of the new system by 40% to 7.6 kW of continuous power, compared to the current Gen 1.5 system, said Vikki Kumar, a Systems Engineer in Panasonic’s Residential Solar and Energy Storage Division, during the webinar. The Gen 2.0 stackable is based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry.
Canadian Solar caused a stir at the recent RE+ Solar Trade Show in Anaheim with the launch of its EP Cube, a residential inverter + storage unit. The modular system can be scaled from 9.9 kW to 19.9 kW, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry. Up to six units can be connected in parallel for a total of 119.9 kWh of storage and 45.6 kW of power generation.
Similarly, Jinko’s first-generation Eagle RS stackable residential storage system, introduced last October, comes with a DC-coupled LFP battery with a storage capacity of 7.6 kW / 26.2 kWh. The system is stackable up to 38.4 kWh. Read more in the Solar Builder ESS Buying Guide.
Qcells’ third-generation QHome Core storage system, announced at RE+, is based on a lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide (NCA) battery with a storage capacity of 6.86 kWh, stackable up to 20.5 kWh. Qcells is pushing the boundaries of integration with the incorporation of a Samsung Eco Heating System heat pump in Europe.
“We are delighted to offer our installer and homeowner partners the Q.HOME CORE solution which can provide the peace of mind that comes with whole home backup, especially given record heat waves and power outages. The new system also features a simplified installation process and is designed with security in mind,” said David Shin, President of Qcells North America.
LG is switching from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry to LFP chemistry by the end of next year for its RESU Flex stackable residential storage system, ranging in capacity from 8.6 kWh to 17.2 kWh.
And Tesla’s third-generation Powerwall+, which will soon switch from NMC chemistry to LFP chemistry, includes a backup gateway and inverter, and has 13.5 kWh capacity for whole-house backup. with a stacking capacity of up to three units per line phase.
Refine and expand the software
An integrated solar + storage system is no better than the software that controls it, from cradle to grave, installation to O&M. What’s even more important to the system buyer is how this software platform looks on a desktop computer or phone. Enphase, for example, released its version 22.4.0 of the app in August, to improve customer control options during an outage, coupled with push, SMS and email notifications.
This is because integrated vendors must continually upgrade their software features and user interface to maintain their position in the market. Panasonic, for example, plans to unveil a new EverVolt website for consumers and installers, leveraging its gateway for single-point access and control. However, stand-alone smart panels, such as Luminous and wingspanstill offer options for individual circuit management during outages, a feature that manufacturers of integrated solar + storage systems have yet to adopt as a common feature (but which can be made available through partnerships).
Bi-Directional Energy Storage Systems Expand Opportunities
The anticipated use of EV battery systems to charge residential battery storage systems, and vice versa, should soon expand the opportunities for integrated solar + storage system providers.
As LG withdrew from solar panel production, it has developed very deep roots in storage. In July, the US Department of Energy announced plans to provide a $2.5 billion loan to Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors Co. and LG Energy Solution. The money will fund new lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Virtual power plants will also allow tap into two-way residential battery storage systems, presenting new revenue options for system owners. For example, Tesla launched a VPP with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in California that could include 25,000 customers with Powerwalls. Soon, two-way storage systems will also use EV batteries to help increase VPP demands during times when rewards are high.
Charles W. Thurston is a Solar Builder contributor. Subscribe to our More electronic newsletter for fresh energy storage articles and news delivered to your inbox each month.
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