ZEN Energy targets “strong” battery demand with new residential products

ZEN Energy’s Freedom Powerbank battery system.

One Step Off The Grid

Adelaide-based energy storage specialist ZEN Energy has launched two new solar and battery packages to address what the company describes as a strong market demand for more affordable grid-connect solutions.

ZEN Energy’s Freedom Powerbank battery system.
ZEN Energy’s Freedom Powerbank battery system.

In a statement on Friday, ZEN said it had teamed with international companies Sonnen Batterie and Redback Technologies to offer battery storage to small and average sized homes that wanted to maximise the use of their solar power, and minimise consumption from the grid.

These would be offered alongside the company’s flagship Freedom PowerBank battery, which starts at 12.8kWh.

The Redback system, combines LG outdoor battery technology and a hybrid inverter combining solar and battery inverter technology in a system ideal for the metropolitan home, the company said. These systems ranged in size from 3.3kWh to 10kWhm with prices starting from $8990 inc GST fully installed, or with 3.12kW of solar panels from $10990 fully installed.

Zen Energy’s Richard Turner
Zen Energy’s Richard Turner: “Many of the people we were speaking with about energy storage over recent years said call me back when it’s under $10,000. Well now it is and we’re calling back.”

The Sonnen Batterie system is an all-in-one battery storage system – a best-seller in Europe – and ranges in size from 4kWh to 10kWh with prices starting from $11,990 inc GST fully installed.

ZEN said its Freedom PowerBank – which is ideally suited to larger homes or regional and remote households wanting to go off grid – had also come down “significantly” in price with systems available from $19,750 inc GST fully installed.

“The initial response from customers across our entire range has been very encouraging with a large number registering their interest and we’ve just now installed the very first German-engineered Sonnen Eco8 system in Australia, right here in Adelaide,” said ZEN Energy founder and director Richard Turner.

“Many of the people we were speaking with about energy storage over recent years said call me back when it’s under $10,000. Well now it is and we’re calling back.”

“Advances in technology and falling battery costs have allowed us to reduce the price of energy storage systems we bring to the market. We are now in a position to launch high quality systems for small to average-sized homes at a more affordable price point.

“With solar panels and battery storage, an average home could save hundreds on quarterly electricity bills and protect themselves from future energy price rises,” Turner said.

zen energy chart

This article was originally published on RE sister site One Step Off The Grid. To sign up for the weekly newsletter, click here.

Comments

6 responses to “ZEN Energy targets “strong” battery demand with new residential products”

  1. Kenshō Avatar
    Kenshō

    Wow looking at that picture, that’s what a battery should look like. That’s no blob that hangs on a wall. That deserves a proper spot in a garage.

    1. Brunel Avatar
      Brunel

      What blob are you talking about.

      1. Kenshō Avatar
        Kenshō

        I’m talking about the approach of designing a relatively flat battery and hanging it on the wall. The battery above looks like its mounted on adjustable feet like a fridge. Batteries on walls could be good in places where there isn’t the space between a car and a wall for example. It’s a personal choice based upon the site and needs though IMHO new generation batteries are still heavy enough to avoid hanging on a wall wherever alternative space is available. Batteries in racks are also easier to slide out and replace, leaving the cabinet, wiring, battery monitor and BMS for the next set of batteries. Just like we budget a space for a fridge in a home, I think it’s best to accept budgeting space for a battery in a garage.

    2. Peter Voight Avatar
      Peter Voight

      It’s a battery for blokes.

  2. warcaster Avatar
    warcaster

    Aren’t those prices a lot higher than Tesla’s Powerwall?

    1. Kenshō Avatar
      Kenshō

      “The Redback system, combines LG outdoor battery technology and a hybrid inverter”

      A hybrid inverter seems included, so it would be necessary to add the cost of a Powerwall + one of their hybrid inverters to get your cost comparison. The inverter/charger is the brains of the system, so I’d check the specs of both offerings.

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