The Enphase Encharge battery is an excellent choice for adding backup storage to your solar panels.
Enphase Energy is well-known in the solar industry for its advanced microinverter technology.
In addition to their state-of-the-art iQ8 series microinverters, they now offer Enphase IQ solar battery products.
Enphase Battery Storage System
Enphase offers a home energy storage solution that allows homeowners to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages.
By using the Encharge, homeowners can reduce their dependence on the utility grid and ensure a steady supply of backup power in case of a grid failure.
Advanced Monitoring App
The Enphase Enlighten advanced monitoring app gives you complete control of your self-powered home. It provides real-time monitoring of your home’s solar generation, battery power flow, and household energy consumption from anywhere.
With solar and battery systems managed through the same monitoring app, you can maximize your energy independence by storing excess energy generated during the day and using it at night.
Easily set the charge levels for your Enphase battery as conditions change, such as during inclement weather or wildfires.
The Enlighten app can be programmed with your utility rate. If you are on a Time of Use rate, this doubles the effectiveness of your solar panels and reduces your reliance on the grid.
One of the critical advantages of choosing the Enphase Encharge for your home battery solution is its ability to discharge and recharge simultaneously, ensuring a continuous power supply without interrupting downtime during recharge.
Enphase Encharge IQ Battery
Enphase Encharge IQ batteries can be configured in multiple sizes to ensure you get the backup power you need when the grid fails.
The most popular choice is the Encharge 10 battery and an Empower Smart Switch, which connects to your home’s electrical panel. The Encharge 10 has a usable energy capacity of 10.08 kWh.
The Encharge 10 is made of three Encharge 3 batteries bundled into a single enclosure.
Its capacity is triple that of the Encharge 3. Both come with a 10-year limited warranty.
Featuring passive cooling techniques, there are no moving parts to service.
The Encharge 10 batteries are modular, allowing you to increase the system size by installing multiple batteries if necessary. This offers you flexibility.
If you want a whole home solution, then a 20kWh or a 30kWh setup is ideal, depending on your loads. If you have an AC or a pump, you can add a soft starter to lessen the draw on the batteries.
Critical Load Battery Storage
You should only run essential appliances to get the most out of your Enphase battery during grid outages. Your solar installer will work with you to connect your critical loads to the battery subpanel.
Critical loads are circuits for lights, refrigerator and freezer, internet, and garage doors.
For optimal results, consult an Enphase-certified battery installer or Enphase’s engineering team to determine the best configuration for your specific needs, whether you require whole-home or partial-home backup.
Our post about self-consumption vs. backup batteries has important information if you’re considering a battery.
Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Battery
The most common chemistry for solar batteries is Lithium-ion. Companies like Tesla, LG Chem, Generac, Panasonic, and others use these types of batteries.
However, lithium-ion batteries have a potential risk of igniting, making them a possible fire hazard.
The Enphase battery system provides the highest level of safety for backup operation.
The Encharge batteries use lithium iron phosphate or LFP chemistry, the safest solution for residential battery applications.
Enphase’s Lithium iron phosphate modules make them safer and longer-lasting than cobalt-based lithium-ion batteries.
Their cobalt-free technology contains no high-voltage electricity and is the first microinverter storage system to receive UL’s strict 9540A listing.
Backup Capability
Excess energy produced by solar panels during the day is stored in the battery to use at night or during a power outage. It can also offset time of use rates during peak hours.
Enphase’s IQ batteries are AC-coupled with built-in inverters for easy pairing with IQ8 microinverter solar systems.
Because of its microinverter technology, Enphase Energy stands out from other AC-coupled batteries, like the Tesla Powerwall.
Generator Compatible
A generator can be integrated with IQ System Controller 2 based on the homeowner’s needs.
Enphase IQ batteries are compatible with top generator brands, including Kohler and Generac. This isn’t a feature with most solar batteries.
If you experience frequent grid outages and want the most reliable power system available, Enphase batteries are a good solution.
10-Year Warranty
The Enphase IQ battery warranty guarantees it will retain 70% of its initial capacity after ten years, or 4,000 cycles.
The battery may have a shorter lifespan if charged and discharged frequently. In such a case, the warranty may only last for eight years.
Extended Warranty For Enphase Batteries
Enphase also offers a five-year limited warranty extension for all IQ Battery models. You can purchase it to increase your coverage.
Enphase has a reliable warranty and is known for its quality products. You can trust Enphase to honor their warranty if there are any issues.
Enphase Encharge Battery Cost
EnergySage estimates that the Enphase Encharge 10 costs between $18,000 – $20,000. Compare solar plus storage quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace. See their review of the Encharge battery system here.
Choosing the Enphase Energy backup battery system is a solid choice. Another great option is the Franklin Whole Home Battery Backup System.
The Solaredge battery backup is another great choice, especially if you want a SolarEdge Energy Hub inverter.
A reputable solar inverter manufacturer makes the Enphase battery; the system size can be customized, reasonably priced, and easy to monitor through the user-friendly Enphase app. All good reasons to consider the Encharge battery system!