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The Powervault is a solar battery system that’s designed to give you value by making your home more energy-efficient. You can reduce your energy bills through either storing energy generated from your solar panels, or by charging the Powervault through the grid only during off-peak hours.
Powervault is a London-based company which started in 2012 with the aim to lower people's electricity bills as well as their carbon footprint. They work alongside energy suppliers and the National Grid to help accelerate the U.K.’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Being a British company it means they keep the needs of British homes and businesses in mind every step of the way when creating their products. Plus, since all of their products are designed and assembled in London, this reduces the carbon footprint as they don’t have to be shipped from abroad.
There are a few different Powervault batteries on the market. The Powervault 3 is made from lithium-polymer, while its more eco-friendly version, the Powervault 3eco, is made from recycled lithium-manganese-oxide. An older model, called the Powervault G200, has both lead acid and lithium-ion versions.
The Powervault 3 has a wide range of energy capacities to choose from, making it suitable for most homes whatever their size or budget. On top of that, Powervault’s batteries don’t require an additional solar inverter, which will save you an extra cost.
Solar battery system costs typically range between £1,200 and £14,800 depending on their capacity, life cycle, and materials. This means you could save a substantial amount of money just by comparing the current prices of solar batteries.
If you would like to enjoy the convenience provided by solar battery storage systems, fill in our form by clicking the button below to get up to 3 tailor-made quotes from our trusted solar battery suppliers and installers. This service is offered free of charge and without any obligations.
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The Powervault 3 is available in five different sizes – 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 kWh. Therefore, it is suitable for most homes no matter the energy usage. It has a Depth of Discharge (DoD) of 100%, so the usable capacity is the same as the total capacity for each battery size. It can deliver 3.3 kW of power continuously and 6.6 kW of peak power in short 1-second bursts.
The batteries are also modular and scalable, so you can easily add capacity in the future.
Furthermore, the Powervault 3 comes with two DC-inputs (direct current inputs) so you can connect it directly to your solar panels. This means you don’t need a separate inverter which will essentially save you about £1,000.
The Powervault 3’s dimensions range from 120 x 98 x 25 cm to 205 x 98 x 25 cm depending on the size you get. All sizes can be floor-mounted while smaller capacity units can also be wall-mounted, provided the wall is stable enough.
There is also a more environmentally friendly version of this battery called the Powervault 3eco. What makes it more environmentally friendly is the fact that it gives batteries from old Nissan and Renault electric cars a ‘second life’. As a result, the Powervault 3eco also comes at a lower cost.
The warranty of the Powervault 3eco is only 3 years compared to the standard version’s 10-year warranty period. However, it’s important to note that 3eco’s batteries are rigorously checked and not subpar by any means. They simply just have a shorter lifespan compared to the Powervault 3.
One important thing to note is that backup is not included with the Powervault 3, meaning that it cannot be used during power cuts. Therefore, if you are in an area where power outages are common then this may not be the battery choice for you. However, if power cuts are rare then the Powervault 3 is probably more cost-effective, as being able to use a battery as a backup energy source usually adds to the total price.
We’ve summarised the Powervault 3 and Powervault 3 Eco’s specs in the tables below:
Size | 4 kWh | 8 kWh | 12 kWh | 16 kWh | 20 kWh |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Type | Lithium-polymer (Li-MNC) | ||||
Total Capacity (kWh) | 4.1 | 8.2 | 12.3 | 16.4 | 20.5 |
Usable Capacity (kWh) | 4.1 | 8.2 | 12.3 | 16.4 | 20.5 |
Depth of Discharge | 100% | ||||
Power Input (AC) | 6.6 kW peak / 3.3 kW continuous | ||||
Power Output (AC) | 9.2 kW peak / 4.6 kW continuous | 11 kW peak / 5.5 kW continuous | |||
Charger / Inverter | 5.5 kW / 5.5 kW | ||||
Life Cycles | > 6,000 | ||||
Dimensions (H x W x D cm) | 120 x 98 x 25 | 120 x 98 x 25 | 149 x 98 x 25 | 177 x 98 x 25 | 205 x 98 x 25 |
Weight (kg) | 129 | 179 | 229 | 279 | 329 |
Warranty | 10 years |
Size | 4 kWh | 6 kWh | 8 kWh |
---|---|---|---|
Battery Type | Recycled Lithium-manganese-oxide (LMO) | ||
Total Capacity (kWh) | 4.5 | 6.75 | 9 |
Usable Capacity (kWh) | 3.9 | 5.9 | 7.9 |
Depth of Discharge | 90% | ||
Power Input (AC) | 7.0 kW peak / 3.5k W continuous | 7.6 kW peak / 3.8 kW continuous | 7.6 kW peak / 3.8 kW continuous |
Power Output (AC) | 7.0 kW peak / 3.5 kW continuous | 10.4 kW peak / 5.2 kW continuous | 11 kW peak / 5.5 kW continuous |
Charger / Inverter | 3.8 kW / 5.5k W | ||
Life Cycles | > 1,500 | ||
Dimensions (H x W x D cm) | 120 x 98 x 25 | 149 x 98 x 25 | 177 x 98 x 25 |
Weight (kg) | 129 | 179 | 276 |
Warranty | 3 years |
To learn more about specs and other manufacturers, check out our page on the best solar batteries on the market.
You might be wondering whether purchasing a solar battery is really worth your time and money alongside installing solar panels. There are definitely many benefits to installing a solar battery that we recommend you consider. However, the benefits vary slightly depending on the brand and type of battery.
Below we’ve listed the benefits of the Powervault 3, so you can stay informed and assess whether it’s a good match for you and your home:
First of all, the Powervault 3 is known for being affordable compared to, for example, how much the Tesla Powerwall costs. Furthermore, on top of their great initial price, you can simply reduce your energy bills by up to 50% by storing your solar energy during the day and discharging it in the evening.
Below are two further ways you can reduce your energy costs:
The Powervault 3 roughly costs between £4,700 and £14,800 depending on the capacity size. As mentioned previously, the Powervault 3 is known for being economically priced compared to its competitors. Especially considering its Depth of Discharge is 100% and the fact it comes with a 10-year warranty. This as well as all the other fantastic benefits mentioned above make it a solid investment.
And, if you’re looking for the ultimate deal, then the Powervault 3eco is even cheaper, ranging from £3,500 and £5,000 based on the capacity.
Below we’ve summarised the approximate prices for the Powervault 3 in the UK:
Powervault 3 Model | Approximate Cost |
---|---|
4 kWh | £4,740 |
8 kWh | £7,020 |
12 kWh | £9,420 |
16 kWh | £12,660 |
20 kWh | £14,820 |
If you want to increase your battery’s capacity later on then you can purchase additional battery packs for the Powervault 3.
Capacity Increase | 4 kWh | 8 kWh | 12 kWh | 16 kWh |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capacity to 8 kWh | £3,540 | – | – | – |
Capacity to 12 kWh | £7,080 | £3,540 | – | – |
Capacity to 16 kWh | £10,620 | £7,080 | £3,540 | – |
Capacity to 20 kWh | £14,160 | £10,620 | £7,080 | £3,540 |
These prices are just a guideline, for accurate prices tailored to your needs, we highly recommend getting quotes from solar installers in your area. Click the button below to see what the top deals are in your local area without any obligation or cost.
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If you’re still unsure about the costs of a Powervault 3, don’t worry as there are plenty of options when it comes to financial support. The UK has a few different solar panel grants that may be suitable for you.
The first way you can make up for the costs of your solar battery is through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). With this you can earn money, making back the initial investment and more over time, by exporting your stored energy to the National Grid. You need to check with your energy supplier whether they support this and how much they pay, but for reference 4-6p/kWh is considered a good rate.
On the 1st April 2022, new VAT laws were introduced in the UK. If you install your solar battery system at the same time as your solar panels, you can secure VAT at 0% on both your Powervault battery and your solar installation.
Lastly, there are specific solar energy grants for those based in Scotland. You can receive up to £6,000 when you install solar panels and £5,000 for batteries, both interest-free, through the Home Energy Scotland Loan.
If the cost of installing a Powervault 3 or another solar battery is what’s stopping you from reducing your carbon footprint and increasing the value of your home, then we recommend you research the best deals in the UK. One way you can effortlessly do this is by comparing quotes from solar installers near you. That way you can see what options are available to you before making your decision. It’s free and you’re under no obligation to accept any of the quotes you receive.
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Powervault is a fully-integrated solar battery storage system, which can also store cheaper off-peak electricity from the National Grid. Therefore, helping you reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. With Powervault you also have the option to sell your surplus energy back to the grid.
You can use a battery, such as the Powervault 3, to store cheap off-peak electricity and then discharge it when the costs increase. The Powervault 3 has a smart tariff controller so you can easily adapt your charging schedule for off-peak hours.
Furthermore, if you have enough solar panels and battery storage, then you could potentially be 100% independent from the grid and not need to worry about electricity rates at all.
Solar panels along with a solar battery storage system is beneficial as it reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, therefore reducing your carbon footprint as well as your energy bills. You could save approximately £270 per year.
The Powervault 3 costs between £4,700 and £14,800, for capacity sizes ranging from 4 kWh to 20 kWh. There is also the environmentally-friendly Powervault 3eco model which costs between £3,500 and £5,000, again depending on your chosen capacity size.
Powervault has introduced their platform GridFLEX in order to help decrease the pressure on the National Grid. If you sign up to GridFLEX you can receive £120 per year by letting Powervault occasionally control your battery when the grid needs extra support. The £120/year payment is guaranteed by Powervault for 2 years.
Brontë is an experienced writer and editor for GreenMatch. Her passion for sustainability and renewable energy drives her to stay at the forefront of green-energy trends.
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