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SunPower SunVault 13: High-Efficiency Energy Storage

Largest Capacity Solar Battery Reviewed in 2023

The SV-BASE13-C storage system has a storage capacity of 13 kWh and maximum usable energy of 12 kWh. It measures 164 cm × 71 cm × 36 cm and has a weight of 217 kg.

SunPower enjoys a well established reputation for high efficiency solar panels. In the second quarter of 2020, SunPower broke away from Maxeon to focus on distribution and sales, leaving all future manufacturing to Maxeon. If SunPower is indeed no longer involved with the manufacturing process, they are tight-lipped with details about the actual physical location or country that the Sunvault battery is manufactured. Sunvault models are sure to be seen in the Texas solar marketplace in 2023. These batteries are suitable for use on cloudy days, at night, during grid outages, or to offset time of usage (TOU) electricity rates.

The SunVault is a relatively new battery by SunPower. It is designed to work exclusively with SunPower solar panels. If it is important to you to have solar panel options, Sunvault may not be the best fit.

Sunvault solar batteries are available in a variety of sizes. In this review, we will look at the 13 kW SunVault Storage 13. The Sunvault range comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 13 up to 26 kW. The batteries are stackable, allowing consumers to build storage systems that can be customized to fit residential needs…

SunVault batteries will emit humming or buzzing sounds up to 50 dB A during normal operation. *(0 dB – the threshold of human hearing and reaching 120–140 dB – the threshold of pain).

This sound is normal and may increase or decrease based on the amount of power being converted at that moment.

Due to the heat generated, the SunVault relies on a fan-based cooling system that will turn on during operation or when the ambient temperature is elevated. This too is normal operation. Stacking multiple batteries may exaggerate this effect.

SunPower's revenues, since splitting from Maxeon, have yet to reach their pre-pandemic levels.

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Chemistry

SunPower Sunvault uses a Lithium Ferro Phosphate or LFP. In addition to increased efficiency, and extended life, this type of battery chemistry is thought to have a reduced risk of thermal runaway. The Sunvault has an average service life of approximately 10 years.

Battery Capacity

The SunVault Storage 13 model has a usable capacity of 12 kWh and a storage capacity of 13 kilowatt-hours (kWh), given it is paired with a solar array that has adequate sunlight and production capabilities. The SunVault Storage 13 is able to provide a full day’s energy back up during cloudy conditions or low/limited light on winter days. For homes with larger power storage requirements, solar storage systems serviced by multiple SunVault batteries may be required.

To go off grid permanently, the average Texas home would require 3 or more Sunvault 13 batteries.

Depth of Discharge

DoD expresses in percentage how much power can be drawn from a battery in comparison to the maximum it holds. Solar batteries are made to be charged, discharged, and recharged. However, over the years, the more often this cycle repeats, the more impact it will have on the lifespan of the solar battery

In an attempt to minimize this effect, many manufacturers limit DoD percentage to extend a battery’s useful service life. DoD's industry standards range between 80% and 100%.

Unfortunately, 2 years after the Sunvault 13’s release, the technical specifications still have not been released by SunPower. DoD is a key metric in evaluating batteries and regrettably until SunPower releases the data, we cannot report an exact depth of discharge rating for the SunVault 13. Solar Home Review won't speculate if it is an intentional omission or merely an oversight.

AC-Coupled

The SunPower Sunvault 13 solar battery is AC-coupled. Most installers prefer AC-coupled (alternating current) batteries for their ease of installation, flexibility, and reliability.

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Power Output

Continuous power is a measurement, expressed in kW, of a battery's potential to release a sustained energy for a given period. Peak power is a measurement, expressed in kW, of a potential maximum power output in short bursts.

The SunPower SunVault 13 provides 10 kW of peak power and 6.8 kW of continuous power.

The Sunvault 13 performs within the range of solar industry standards.

Round-trip Efficiency

In order for a battery to function, a small amount of electric power is required for its operation. The total amount of charge that comes out of a battery subtracted from the amount of charge that went into the battery is expressed as a percentage ('%'). This is called Round-trip Efficiency.

The SunPower Sunvault 13 has a rating of 85% round-trip efficiency, 5% above average.

System Compatibility

If you are a solar consumer who values having the option of choosing from a variety of solar panels, the Sunvault may not be the best fit for you

The SunPower SunVault 13 is only compatible with SunPower brand solar panels.

Warranty

The SunPower Sunvault 13 comes with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. However, there is a throughput clause of 4,000 cycles or 38 MWh energy throughput cycle that ends the warranty when either metric is met before the ten years. SunPower guarantees the Sunvault 13 will have 70% of its original 13.0 kWh capacity, at the end of the tenth year. Sunpower’s SunVault Storage13 is comparably priced to similarly equipped batteries reviewed for 2023. And backed by an industry standard warranty.