LG Batteries
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As energy prices remain unpredictable and power outages become more common, many homeowners are turning to battery storage to reduce energy costs and ensure a reliable backup power source. LG, a well-established name in the electronics industry, offers two distinct residential battery storage solutions from its different company divisions. These include the RESU10H Prime and RESU16H Prime models from the Energy Solution ESS Battery Division of LG Chem and the Home 8 Energy Storage System from the LG Electronics division. In this article, we will delve into these solar battery products, starting with an overview of LG's journey into the residential energy storage market.
Fundamentals of LG Solar Batteries
LG is a key player in the home battery market, known for its top-quality home appliances and electronics. However, many are unaware of its cutting-edge home battery storage solutions. LG Energy Solution, a subsidiary of LG Chem, leverages the parent company's vast experience in lithium-ion battery production, including powering popular electric vehicles like the Chevy Bolt.
In 2021, LG Chem introduced the RESU10H and RESU16H Prime, their premier DC-coupled batteries, which offered a strong alternative to the Tesla Powerwall. RESU, which stands for Residential Energy Storage Unit, quickly gained recognition for its reliability and performance.
In September 2022, LG Electronics unveiled the Home 8, a residential energy storage system with an AC-coupled battery and integrated inverter, demonstrating their ongoing innovation in the sector.
LG’s home battery solutions provide the typical benefits of solar batteries, such as backup power during grid outages, load shifting for time-of-use optimization, and enhanced energy self-sufficiency.
Explore the product specifications below for a thorough comparison with other solar batteries and check out the related article, "The 8 Best Solar Batteries of 2023 (and How to Choose the Right One For You)," for more insights.
Technical Details of LG Batteries
Top Benefits of LG Solar Batteries
The RESU10H Prime, RESU16H Prime, and Home 8 share several common features, but it's important to be aware of the distinctive characteristics each model offers when choosing the right home battery storage solution for you.
DC vs AC
Unlike the Tesla Powerwall, the LG Home 8, and other popular battery options, the RESU10H Prime and RESU16H Prime are DC-coupled batteries. One of the biggest advantages of a DC battery is that it has better round-trip efficiency than an AC battery.
The difference is due to the number of times electricity is inverted from DC to AC (and vice versa) before it is used to power the home. Each time the current is inverted, a little bit of energy is lost to heat, which reduces the round-trip efficiency.
In a DC-coupled system, there is typically only one inversion. In an AC-couple system, there are typically three inversions.
Although DC batteries offer higher efficiency, integrating them into existing solar systems can be quite challenging. Therefore, for those with pre-existing solar panels, the AC-coupled Home 8 from LG presents a more affordable battery solution, despite its slightly lower efficiency compared to DC batteries.
Inverters
Since the LG RESU 10/16 Prime operates as a DC battery, it necessitates specific inverters capable of channeling DC power from solar panels directly into the battery. Among the top inverters available today is the SolarEdge StorEdge, a versatile single-inverter (DC-coupled) option that efficiently integrates a solar PV system with a home battery, thus minimizing energy loss and decreasing the overall cost of the system.
Tesla Powerwall Advantages
One significant benefit of the Powerwall is its scalable power output due to its AC battery design. This allows for increased energy capacity when adding more batteries, with each additional unit enhancing the power available. For example, while one Powerwall supplies 5 kW, two provide 10 kW, and three generate 15 kW. This setup also amplifies the amperage of circuits that can be supported, as one Powerwall backs up circuits up to 30 amps, two up to 60 amps, and three up to 90 amps.
In contrast, DC batteries offer extended storage capacity with each addition, lengthening the system’s backup duration during outages. However, the overall system output remains the same regardless of the number of batteries added, limiting their ability to support larger circuit amperages.
Another advantage of the Powerwall is its advanced thermal management system, featuring liquid heating and cooling to maintain optimal battery cell temperature. This feature extends performance longevity, minimizes degradation, and ensures the Powerwall remains robust even in outdoor settings with high temperatures.
Layered Output
Since the LG RESU10/16 Prime is a DC battery, its output is restricted and cannot be combined for increased power, limiting the system's support to circuits of 24 amps or less, regardless of how many batteries are added.
Though adding more batteries can extend backup time during power outages, it won't allow for support of higher amperage circuits.
In contrast, the LG ESS Home 8 offers a stackable design, enabling homeowners to combine up to four units for greater power output and up to 57.6 kWh of usable energy.
For households with larger backup power needs, such as running an air conditioner, stacking multiple Home 8 units may be a more effective choice than using RESU10/16 Prime.
Cooling
The LG RESU10/16 Prime relies on passive cooling, which contrasts with liquid cooling used in some alternatives like the Tesla Powerwall. Due to its less efficient thermal management, it’s advisable to install the LG RESU10/16 Prime in a location such as a garage or other shaded area to avoid direct exposure to heat and sunlight.
In comparison, the LG Home 8 utilizes a forced air cooling system, providing better thermal control than passive cooling, although not as effective as liquid cooling. While this may not be a decisive factor for most homeowners, those living in very hot regions might want to take this into account.
LG Battery Costs
LG’s key strength lies in its competitive pricing. The cost of batteries varies depending on their size, technology, and the scope of the project. However, LG batteries generally offer excellent value for money.
For instance, the LG Chem RESU 10H is priced between $9,000 and $11,000, including installation and necessary components, before the 30% federal tax credit for battery storage. This is significantly lower than the Tesla Powerwall, which is priced between $12,000 and $14,000, allowing LG to offer savings of 20-30% compared to Tesla. Despite the LG Chem having a slightly smaller capacity (9.3kWh compared to Tesla’s 13.5kWh), it remains a strong choice for homeowners looking for effective backup and load-shifting solutions at a lower cost.
Additionally, LG Home 8 systems are competitively priced around $10,000 before installation and incentives. After installation and applying the federal tax credit, the average project cost is approximately $9,750, translating to around $680 per kWh of capacity.
LG's affordability extends to potential savings from buying multiple batteries simultaneously, as installers often offer discounts on subsequent batteries due to shared equipment and labor costs. Starting in 2023, the 30% federal tax credit now applies to battery storage regardless of whether it's connected to solar or not, complementing state and local incentives such as California’s SGIP program, which provides rebates up to $1,000 per kWh of battery storage installed. This positions LG as an attractive and cost-effective option for those considering solar battery storage.
The Bottom Line
The LG Chem (also known as LG Energy Solution) RESU10H Prime and RESU16H Prime stand out as top choices for solar batteries in the industry. Being a leading producer of lithium-ion batteries worldwide, LG Chem ensures its products undergo rigorous quality checks and are built to exceptional standards. The competitive pricing of the RESU10H Prime sets it apart from other options, making LG's batteries a remarkable choice for those seeking superior value.