New look Redback launches solar inverter, two bigger home batteries

Australian owned and operated energy storage company, Redback Technologies, has added a series of grid-tied solar inverters to its product line-up and expanded its range of home batteries to include two new, larger capacity formats.

The Brisbane-based company announced the new battery and inverter products as part of a “brand relaunch” this week, including the unveiling of a new logo depicting the sun and “the open road to Australia’s clean energy future.”

Redback CEO Patrick Matweew said the decision to rebrand coincided with a “major change” in the company’s strategy, based on the success of its 2015 pivot to smart home battery solutions, as well as its position in the market as an Australian-owned business.

“Coupled with the fact that there is no affordable Australian brand in the market, we have decided to expand our portfolio to include grid-tied PV inverters,” Matweew said.

“We want to give Australian households and small businesses an Australian option, one that is designed for our local conditions, that is robust and affordable, and there clearly is a gap in the market right now.”

The Redback Smart Inverters series are single-phase, come in 5, 6, 8 and 10kVA output, and allow for home batteries to be added in the future. They will be available in Australia from late November and are all compliant to the new AS4777.2 (2020) standard.

The new batteries in Redback’s Smart Battery series include the SB9600, which will have a nominal storage capacity of 9.6kWh and a 4.5kVA inverter, and the larger SB14200, which has 14.2kWh storage capacity and a 4.5kVA inverter.

The two new lithium-ion batteries – which were officially launched at the Smart Energy Conference in May –   will also become available to consumers in late November, while the smaller 7.2kWh Smart Battery is available and in stock now.

Matweew said at the time that the new offerings had come off the back of “tremendous success” with the 7.2kWh SB7200 and the realisation that solar households were increasingly looking for more choice and, in particular, “a bit more storage.”

According to the specs for the Smart Battery series, they are rated for use in temperatures between -20°C and 60°C, although the sheet notes that the battery derates in temps lower than 10°C and higher than 40°C.

The AC-coupled battery has a built in battery management system and offers back-up power in the case of a grid outage. It is also said to be compatible with “most” existing rooftop solar systems.

“Our rebrand renews our strong commitment to our Australian customers, partners and the community as we strive to make renewable energy affordable for every Australian household and small business,” said Matweew this week.

“The whole Redback team is very proud to demonstrate that there is space and opportunity for a local, Australian start-up to get into the very competitive solar market and make a difference.

“I think our very Australian approach, based on relationships, a focus on local support and community engagement is what makes us stand out.”