Redback unveils two new home batteries with “more storage”

Australia’s home energy storage market is set to get two new offerings in the second half of 2021, with local battery maker Redback Technologies unveiling the latest additions to its Smart Battery series, adding 9.6kWh and 14kWh options to the Brisbane-based company’s existing 7.2kWh unit.

The two new lithium-ion batteries – the SB9600 and the SB14000 – were officially launched on Wednesday at the Smart Energy Conference in Sydney ahead of their arrival on the market in the second half of the year, with prices yet to be determined.

Redback CEO Patrick Matweew said 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.”

Matweew said the design of the batteries had been guided by the principles of affordability and ease of use, as well as the changing dynamic in the Australian rooftop solar market with rapidly decreasing feed-in tariff rates and proposed solar export charges.

“The market is changing fast, feed-in tariffs are falling, and export is no longer guaranteed, but using more of their solar energy at home is the smartest way for households to get more from their solar system – adding a Redback smart battery is the way to achieve that,” he said.

“As always, our systems are in keeping with Redback’s philosophy, maximise self-generated solar, minimise power bought from the grid, provide increased energy reliability and provide peace of mind in the event of a power outage.

“The batteries are also modular units, meaning they’re lightweight, easy to install and operate and as with all Redback solutions, the Smart Home Battery Systems are designed in Australia and are built to withstand Australia’s harshest conditions.”

On that point, according to the specs of the existing SB7200, that battery is 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 existing 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, which is fortunate as Redback says it is targeting this market with the new batteries.

There are no specs released yet for the new SB offerings – they will revealed with prices “later in 2021.” Until then, those interested can reference the SB7200 specs or, if they happen to be at the Smart Energy Conference over the coming two days, chat with the Redback team at Stand 71.

“The new SB9600 and SB14000 have been developed and designed to be affordable for Australian households and with our latest addition of a 10-year warranty attached to the battery system, owners will have peace of mind for years to come,” said Matweew.