Pylontech VS BYD: A guide to choosing the right battery for your energy storage installation

How does the energy storage work?

The principle of operation of the energy storage

Electricity storage is the process of storing electricity at the time of its excess (energy surplus), e.g. from a photovoltaic installation, to use it later, when the demand increases or in the event of a power failure. Energy stores work by converting electrical energy into other forms such as potential, kinetic or chemical energy.

Then, when needed, they convert it back into electricity. Lithium-ion batteries, which store energy in a chemical form, are a popular solution. Energy storage plays a key role in stabilizing power grids, especially with the growing share of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics or wind energy.

Operation of a photovoltaic installation with energy storage

Types of home energy storage

Home energy storage is becoming more and more popular among people with renewable energy installations, such as photovoltaic panels or wind turbines.

The energy storage allows you to store the energy produced, increasing independence from the power grid and reducing electricity costs. There are several types of home energy storage that can be tailored to individual needs.

Chemical energy storage (batteries): The most popular are lithium-ion batteries, which offer high energy efficiency, long life and relatively low weight. The alternative is cheaper but heavier lead-acid batteries.

Hydrogen energy storage: They store energy in the form of hydrogen, which can then be used to produce electricity or be powered by fuel cells. They are highly efficient and have a long service life, but installation and maintenance costs can be higher than for chemical storage.

Kinetic energy storage (mechanical): They use motion (e.g. spinning discs, springs or pendulums) to store energy. Their advantage is long service life and low energy losses, but they can be more expensive to install and maintain.

Thermal energy storage: They store energy in the form of heat, which can be stored in various media, such as water, air or solid materials. Thermal storage is mainly used to store solar energy, but can also be used in conjunction with other renewable energy sources.

Redox energy storage (flow): These are electricity storage facilities that use redox (reduction and oxidation) processes to store electricity in a chemical form. They are highly scalable and have a long service life, but are more expensive and more difficult to maintain than other types of energy storage.

The choice of the type of home energy storage depends on individual needs, budget and available technologies. Choosing your own energy storage efficiency, service life, installation and maintenance costs, as well as power and capacity requirements must be considered.

Key parameters of energy storage: capacity, power, life of the energy storage

Choosing the key energy storage parameters are essential to choosing the right energy storage system for your home. Here are the three main parameters to pay attention to:

Storage capacity: Specifies the amount of energy the storage can store, usually expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh). The capacity should be adapted to the individual needs of the user, e.g. the need to cooperate with a heat pump and to the production capacity of renewable sources.

Power: Indicates the energy storage's ability to convert stored energy into electricity over a specified period of time, usually quoted in kilowatts (kW). Storage power affects the speed at which power can be delivered to the load, as well as the amount of devices that can be powered simultaneously.

service life: It refers to the longevity of the energy storage, considering the number of charge and discharge cycles it can withstand before performance drops. Longer service life means a longer service life, which translates into lower operating costs over time.

Considering these three parameters, you can choose a self-assembled energy storage that best suits the needs of the home installation and the expectations of the owner.

What does the energy storage consist of?

Batteries: energy store

Batteries play a key role in the power bank, serving as the main source of stored energy. They store electrical energy in the form of chemical energy, which can then be converted back into electrical energy when needed.

Batteries allow you to store surplus energy produced by renewable sources such as photovoltaic installations, allowing you to use the electricity produced at a later time.

In the event of a network failure, and reduce the load on the power grid by separating power consumption peaks. In short, the batteries are the heart of the power bank, and their properties affect the efficiency and durability of the entire system.

Inverters: energy conversion

Inverters play an essential role in electricity storage because they convert electricity between different forms of voltage - they help in supplying energy to receivers. Their main task is to convert the direct current (DC) from the batteries into alternating current (AC), which is used by household appliances and can also be fed into the power grid.

Inverters are also responsible for managing the energy flow between the various components of the energy storage system, such as the photovoltaic system, batteries or sending energy to the grid electricity.

In this way, the inverters ensure optimal use of the stored energy, minimize energy losses and support the stability of the power grid. In short, inverters are a key component of the power bank, connecting the individual elements of the system into one coherent whole.

Driver: work optimization and monitoring

A master controller such as Cerbo GX plays a key role in system management and optimization. Its task is to monitor and analyze input data from various system components, such as the photovoltaic system, batteries and inverters.

Based on the collected information, the controller makes decisions regarding the distribution, charging and discharging of energy to make the most of its availability, while protecting individual system components.

Cerbo GX also allows for remote monitoring and control of the energy storage system, allowing the user to track performance and energy consumption in real time. In short, the main controller is the “brain” of the power bank, integrating all components into one efficient and effective system.

How to choose batteries - how to choose an energy storage?

Battery technology: NMC, LiFePO4, gel deep discharge, traction with armor plate

NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt): NMC batteries are one of the most popular types of lithium-ion batteries used in home energy storage and electric cars. They are highly efficient, lightweight and have a high energy density. Their main advantage is a long service life, which is usually over 5,000 charge and discharge cycles. The disadvantage is that they can be more sensitive to overheating, which can affect the safety of use.

LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate): LiFePO4 is another popular type of lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage. They have a lower energy density compared to NMC, but are more thermally stable, which translates into greater safety. LiFePO4 batteries also have a long life, often exceeding 5,000 cycles, and low self-discharge.

Gel Deep Discharge: Deep cycle gel batteries are a type of lead-acid battery. Compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, these gel batteries have a better cycling life and can be charged and discharged to a greater extent, allowing a greater proportion of its battery capacity to be used. They are also less susceptible to vibration damage, but have a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries.

Traction with armor plate: Traction batteries with an armor plate are another type of lead-acid batteries that are used in home energy storage. They are characterized by an extremely durable construction, which makes them resistant to mechanical damage. Thanks to the special construction of the plates, these batteries have a long cyclical life and are able to withstand high current loads. However, their disadvantage is lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries and greater weight.

Storage capacity and charging cycles: adaptable to your needs

When choosing a battery for home energy storage, it is worth paying attention to the LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) technology, which combines many advantages. LiFePO4 batteries are more thermally stable, which translates into greater safety of use. Their long service life, often exceeding 5,000 charge and discharge cycles, makes them an excellent choice for years.

To choose the right LiFePO4 battery capacity, you need to evaluate your daily energy consumption and expectations regarding the life of the energy storage. Adjusting the battery capacity to individual needs will enable effective energy storage and optimal use of the generated electricity.

Safety and service life: factors affecting energy storage

If you are wondering which batteries to choose for your home energy storage, LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) technology is worth considering. These batteries are characterized by a high level of safety due to their thermal stability and lower risk of thermal self-running compared to other lithium-ion technologies.

LiFePO4 batteries are also known for their long life, often exceeding 5,000 charge and discharge cycles. Long life means that these types of batteries will last for many years, which translates into lower running costs and a better return on investment. By choosing LiFePO4 batteries, you ensure not only reliability and safety, but also durability and long-term performance.

Pylontech

Company history

It is a Chinese company founded in 2009, specializing in the production of advanced energy storage systems based on lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology. During its more than a decade of existence, it has gained recognition on the global market thanks to its innovative and reliable solutions.

The company has its own research and development centers and large-scale production, which allows it to implement the latest technologies and maintain the high quality of its products. The company works with various partners around the world, both in the renewable energy sector, as well as in the automotive and telecommunications sectors.

Thanks to the continuous improvement of its offer and focus on customer needs, the company has established its position as one of the leading companies in the field of energy storage.

Company products

The company offers a wide range of products aimed at both individual and business customers. Their offerings fall into two main categories: residential energy storage systems (Residential BESS) and commercial and industrial energy storage systems (Commercial & Utility ESS).

In the category of home energy storage systems, the company offers low-voltage products, such as Force L2, available in the version of a standing turret (post) or for mounting in RACK cabinets.

The low-voltage models include the US2000C, US3000C, US5000 and the low-voltage Pelio in the SLIM version. For customers interested in cooperation with another group of hybrid inverters, the company offers Force H2 high-voltage energy storage systems, available only in the standing turret (post) version.

Thanks to the variety of products offered, the Chinese company is able to provide solutions tailored to the individual needs of customers, both in terms of capacity and assembly requirements.

How much does the Shanghai company's energy storage cost?

The price of the energy storage - the US3000C battery we use most often on the Polish Internet market is about PLN 6,500 - 8,500, but it may vary depending on the supplier, delivery terms and possible promotions.

For accurate information on the prices of US3000C batteries, we recommend checking the current offers from Polish suppliers or online stores. We also invite you to our online store, where you can buy such a battery: https://sklep.enerp.pl/akumulatory/pylontech-us3000c

BYD

The company's history

BYD, or Build Your Dreams, is a Chinese company founded in 1995, initially dealing with the production of batteries. The company quickly expanded into other sectors, including automotive, green energy technologies and public transport. During its existence, BYD has become one of the world's largest battery manufacturers, as well as a leader in the electric vehicle market.

The company's headquarters is located in Shenzhen, South China. BYD focuses on innovative solutions in the field of renewable energy, energy storage, as well as intelligent transport systems.

Working with global partners and a strong commitment to research and development, BYD has earned worldwide recognition as a company at the forefront of technological advances in sustainable energy and transportation.

BYD products

BYD offers a wide range of energy storage products that are part of the BYD Battery-Box series. Among the products intended for home use, there are high-voltage models HVS and HVM, which differ in the discharge current (25A for HVS and 50A for HVM). These systems are highly efficient and reliable for home use.

BYD also offers a low voltage 48V LVS model for home use. This energy storage system is versatile and works with Victron systems, among others.

BYD's offer for commercial applications includes a line of LVL batteries that allows you to build a system with a maximum capacity of 983 kWh. This large capacity allows for efficient energy storage in various industrial sectors where energy efficiency is a key element of success.

How much does BYD energy storage cost

The average price of the BYD HVS energy storage on the Polish market on the Internet is about PLN 8500-9500 for a 2.56 kWh module. The final price of the energy storage depends on the configuration of the system and the number of modules.

It is worth noting that the set with the minimum capacity is the BYD HVS 5.1 kWh set, consisting of two 2.56 kWh modules and a BMS/BMU set and a stand. The best prices can be found on our online store, where you can buy such a battery: https://sklep.enerp.pl/akumulatory/battery-box-hvs

Which energy storage to choose?

Due to the fact that as part of our services, most energy storage systems are based on Victron Energy components, we decided to include in our comparison table the two most popular battery models that work best with this manufacturer.

We chose the US3000C model and the corresponding BYD LVS battery. Both models are widely used in domestic and commercial installations and their compatibility with Victron Energy systems makes them an excellent choice for customers looking for reliable and efficient energy storage solutions.

The comparison table will help you to carefully analyze the differences between the two models and choose the best battery for your needs.

US3000C vs BYD LVS

When comparing between the US3000C and BYD LVS energy storages, we focused on the parameters that differ between the two models to help you choose the best solution. We took into account the following parameters:

1. nominal voltage
2. discharge current
3. Usable capacity of a single module (net)
4. Scaling
5. Price per kWh
6. Number of cycles
7. Installation in a RACK cabinet
8. Maximum capacity in one stack
9. Guarantee
10. Technology
11. Level of security
12. Communication

The analysis of these parameters allowed us to better understand the differences between these energy stores and provide you with a clear comparison.

Compatibility of the photovoltaic installation with the energy storage

The most common case of using the described electricity storage is the combination of a photovoltaic installation with an energy storage.

Below you will find links to battery data sheets and compatibility tables with hybrid inverters.

1. BYD HVS HVM Data Sheet.pdf
2. BYD HVS HVM List of Compatible Inverters.pdf
3. US3000C Datasheet.pdf
4. US3000C List of Compatible Inverters.pdf

Summary

To sum up, the purchase of an energy storage is a difficult choice. Modern energy storage plays a key role in the effective use of solar energy and in increasing self-consumption in homes and businesses. In the article, we compared two popular products on the market: US300C and BYD LVS. Based on the analysis of selected parameters, we found that due to the wider application possibilities and better price per kWh, we most often choose US3000C batteries.

However, for customers who pay attention to brand innovation and want to support new technologies, BYD may be a better choice (they are currently working on sodium battery technology).