New home battery lands in Australia as Enphase launches 3rd gen IQ

American energy technology company Enphase Energy has officially launched its most powerful battery, billed as “a complete and state-of-the-art energy management platform” ranging from 5kWh to 20kWh in capacity.

Enphase announced last month that the third generation of its IQ Battery would be launched in Australia, making us only the second country outside of the US to gain access and further highlighting Australia’s residential solar and battery bona fides.

This latest generation of the Enphase Energy System features the new Enphase Energy IQ Battery 5P and IQ8 Microinverters, making it a complete energy management platform and boasting the longest standard home battery and inverter warranties currently available in Australia.

The modular IQ Battery 5P offers 5kWh capacity and enables configurations ranging up to 20kWh capacity. According to Enphase, each 5kWh battery delivers 3.84kW of continuous power and 7.68kW peak power for 3 seconds, allowing homeowners to start heavy loads even during an outage.

Capability for over-the-air software updates is built in and can be configured for self-consumption, savings, or full backup functionality.

Meanwhile, the proprietary Storm Guard feature monitors data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and will automatically charge the battery to help homeowners prepare for possible grid outages due to severe weather events.

Enphase Energy’s latest Energy System utilises IQ8 Microinverters which are able to manage DC current of 14amp and are designed to support the latest and higher powered solar modules so as to help maximise production.

Two new microinverters in the IQ8 range, – the IQ8AC and IQ8HC – feature a peak output power of 366W and 384W respectively and can pair with a full range of solar modules up to 505W DC. IQ8 Microinverters are also compliant with Australia’s Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP) standards for enabling solar exports to the grid.

And in the event of a prolonged grid outage that drains the battery, Enphase Energy’s Sunlight Jump Start feature allows the IQ8 Microinverters to restart the home energy system using only power generated from the solar panels.

“Installers and homeowners now have access to technology that for the first time fulfills the promise of a seamlessly integrated home energy production and management platform that truly delivers energy independence,” said Wilf Johnston, General Manager ANZ and Pacific, Enphase Energy.

“Now, homeowners across the country can build a reliable, safe, and powerful system, with unparalleled power, capability, and the flexibility to meet their specific home energy needs.”