New high-powered battery promises to keep homes cool through blackouts

A new range of hybrid inverters and battery storage systems has launched in Australia promising the capability to run “essential” home and business appliances like air conditioning and pool pumps through grid outages.

China-based Sungrow unveiled its new residential and commercial PV inverters and batteries at the Solar & Storage Live Australia event in Brisbane last week.

The new products include SH15/20/25T inverters and SBH200-400 batteries which are designed to offer “significant flexibility” for off-grid support, three maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solar charge controllers, and five strings for optimal pairing with rooftop PV.

Sungrow says the high voltage lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries offer up to 50A of continuous charging and discharging current.

The battery module capacity is 5kWh, with each unit able to be comprised of between two to eight modules. The battery system allows four units in parallel, scaled up to 160kWh which refers to eight modules per unit.

Sungrow Australia’s technical director for residential and C&I, Scott Su, says the new products are suitable for a wide range of applications, ranging from residential rooftops to offices, restaurants and warehouses.

At these capacities, however, the batteries would suit only very big households with large energy loads and/or big solar systems. The company also offers two smaller battery options, SBH100-150, but they are not currently available in Australia.

Similarly, Sungrow’s SH15/20/25T inverters offer high power output and are capable of running essential appliances such as HVAC units and pool pumps even during grid outages.

Sungrow says it is offering its new products in Australia as part of a “one-stop solution” which includes an inverter, battery, energy management solution (EMS), smart meter, and an operation and maintenance (O&M) platform.

“Whether you’re looking to maximise self-consumption, participate in VPP (virtual power plant) programs, shift peak tariffs, or reduce demand charges, Sungrow has the perfect solution for you,” Su says.

“We are committed to supporting our customers in their transition to clean energy and providing them with the best possible experience.”