A Powervault solar battery is a home energy storage system that captures excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day, storing it for use later when the sun isn’t shining. Your Powervault can also be set up to store cheap ‘off-peak’ energy from the grid which you can use instead of buying more expensive electricity from the grid.
The battery stores surplus electricity generated by your solar panels during the day. You can then use this stored energy during periods of high energy demand or when solar generation is low, such as at night. Powervault batteries can also be used to store off peak energy from a time of use tariff, saving even more.
Installing a Powervault can save you money by lowering your electricity bill. Other benefits include cutting your home’s carbon footprint by reducing your reliance on the grid, increasing your energy independence, and contributing to a more sustainable energy future. You can find out more about the benefits of a Powervault solar battery in this insight article.
Powervault batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology: we like the fact that it’s safer and more suited to longer duration energy storage and has a longer life span.
This battery chemistry is great for static storage applications but LFP battery chemistry cannot charge when the cell temperature is below zero degrees centigrade. If forced to operate below zero, LFP cells become unstable and potentially hazardous. It can also have severe consequences for the health and, therefore, longevity of the battery.
It is very rare in the UK for temperatures to remain below freezing for the whole day (on average there are just 5 so-called ‘ice days’ per year, but since 2008 many areas of the UK have had less than 1 per year). If the battery cell temperature does fall below zero, it will automatically stop charging until the temperature rises again. It’s worth noting that it takes a long time for sub zero air temperatures to penetrate to the cell level.
If you use SMARTSTOR with your Powervault battery, the software is designed to cycle your battery continuously , charging and discharging to optimise your energy usage. Simply doing this creates a small amount of heat that helps to keep your battery warm in the cold and stops it being adversely affected by cold weather.
Some manufacturers claim that their batteries work below freezing. For this to be true, they will most likely be fitted with an internal battery heater. We have chosen not to do this, as it significantly reduces your battery round-trip efficiency and therefore the financial benefit of using the battery at that temperature.
Powervault batteries are designed to be compatible with most solar panel systems. Our team can assess your specific setup to ensure compatibility.
Our batteries are built to last and come with a 10 year warranty. The SMARTSTOR™ system, when activated, will monitor battery health and take proactive action to ensure the cells are protected from over or under charging. For more information, check out our article about battery safety here, or our warranty information here.
The physical footprint of a Powervault battery depends on the model and capacity. The specific dimensions can be found in the product pages, here. Our team can provide specific dimensions and installation requirements based on your needs.
Yes, Powervault offers a web portal that allows you to monitor energy production, battery status, and consumption patterns remotely. You can also adjust settings and schedules as needed for optimal performance.
This is something that we are actively looking into, and some of our partners do provide, so please let us know if you would be interested by filling in a contact form
Installation services are typically offered separately. However, we have our own installation team and work with certified installers who can ensure proper setup and integration with your existing solar panel system.
Powervault batteries are designed to be maintenance free, we proactively monitor all Powervault installations and where necessary can offer remote fixes or site visits to ensure proper functioning.
Our team can help assess your energy usage patterns, solar panel system capacity, and specific needs to recommend the appropriate size and capacity of the Powervault battery for your home. Fill in a contact form, send us an email or give us a call to speak to a Powervault Energy Expert.
The cost of a Powervault solar battery can vary depending on factors such as capacity, installation requirements, and any additional features. Our team can provide a customised quote based on your specific requirements.
The installation timeline can vary depending on factors such as system size, complexity, and site-specific requirements. Typically, a home installation can be completed within a day by our certified installers.
Our certified installers will assess your home’s electrical system and make any necessary modifications to ensure safe and proper integration with the Powervault battery.
Powervault offers comprehensive warranties and customer support to address any technical issues that may arise after installation. Our team is available to provide assistance and troubleshoot any issues remotely or onsite as needed.
In most cases, Powervault batteries can be retrofitted to work with existing solar panel systems without the need for any upgrades. Our team can assess your current setup to determine compatibility.
The Powervault P4 has an ‘AC Usable’ storage capacity of 8,12, 16, 20 or 24 kWh depending on the specification, making it suitable for homes with moderate to high energy consumption. The same capacity options measured in ‘DC Nominal’ are 9.6, 14.4, 19.2, 24.4 and 28.8 kWh.
The Powervault P4 requires professional installation by a Powervault Approved Installer to ensure proper setup, integration, and safety compliance. Our team can provide guidance on installation requirements and help you find your nearest Powervault Approved Installer.
The Powervault P4 comes with a 10 year warranty, ensuring peace of mind and protection against defects or malfunctions.
The Powervault P4 uses lithium-ion (LFP) battery cells, known for their high energy density, longevity, and reliability.
The Powervault P4 seamlessly integrates with most solar panel systems, allowing you to store excess energy generated during the day for use later when needed.
Yes, the Powervault P4 comes with a user-friendly web portal and smartstor software that enables you to monitor energy production, consumption, and battery status remotely. You can also adjust settings and schedules for optimal performance.
The Powervault P4 has dimensions of up to 220 x 106 x 24cm and weighs between 180-380kg, depending on the capacity specified.
Yes, the Powervault P4 can be configured to provide backup power to a set of Emergency Protection Sockets (EPS) during grid outages, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical appliances or devices in your home. EPS sockets are an optional extra.
The Powervault P4 is designed for indoor installation only, ensuring optimal performance and protection against environmental factors.
The Powervault PV Compact has an ‘AC Usable’ storage capacity of 3, 4, 6 or 8 kWh depending on the specification, making it suitable for homes with low to moderate energy consumption. The same capacity options measured in ‘DC Nominal’ are 3.5, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6 kWh.
The Powervault PV Compact requires professional installation by a Powervault Approved Installer to ensure proper setup, integration, and safety compliance. Our team can provide guidance on installation requirements and help you find your nearest Powervault Approved Installer.
The Powervault PV Compact comes with a 10 year warranty, ensuring peace of mind and protection against defects or malfunctions.
The Powervault PV Compact utilises high performance Lithium Ion LFP cells, known for their high energy density, longevity, and reliability.
The Powervault PV Compact seamlessly integrates with most solar panel systems, allowing you to store excess energy generated during the day for use later when needed.
Yes, the Powervault PV Compact comes with a user-friendly web portal and smartstor software that enables you to monitor energy production, consumption, and battery status remotely. You can also adjust settings and schedules for optimal performance.
The Powervault P4 has dimensions of up to 170 x 61 x 24cm and weighs between 85-158kg, depending on the capacity specified, making it compact and easy to install in large residential or commercial settings.
Yes, the Powervault PV Compact can be configured to provide backup power to a set of Emergency Protection Sockets (EPS) during grid outages, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to critical appliances or devices in your home. EPS sockets are an optional extra.
The Powervault PV Compact is designed for indoor installation only, ensuring optimal performance and protection against environmental factors.
The Powervault Portal is an online platform that allows users to monitor and manage their Powervault solar battery system remotely.
With the Powervault Portal, you can monitor real-time energy production and consumption, check battery status, view historical data, and adjust settings such as charging schedules and energy usage priorities.
Yes, access to the Powervault Portal is included with the purchase of a Powervault solar battery system. You will receive login credentials upon installation.
Yes, the Powervault Portal is accessible from any internet-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
Yes, we take data security very seriously and make sure that all our customers’ energy data is encrypted and stored right here in the UK.
Data on the Powervault Portal is updated in real-time, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information about your solar battery system’s performance.
The Powervault Portal is a web app so it can be accessed through any browser on iOS and Android devices, providing convenient access to the Powervault Portal from your smartphone or tablet. Many of our customers set up a specific icon on their device homescreen for quick access.
If you encounter any issues or have questions about the Powervault Portal, you can contact our customer support team for assistance. We are here to help resolve any technical issues and provide guidance on using the portal effectively.
SMARTSTOR™ is proprietary software developed by Powervault to manage and optimise the scheduling of Powervault solar battery systems. It automatically manages your solar battery in real time, and is an essential for owners of solar panels.
SMARTSTOR™ learns to predict how much energy you’ll need, and when. It understands your individual energy usage patterns and constantly scans the weather forecast, so it knows if sun will be arriving to power your solar panels. It understands when cheap energy from the grid will be available on the latest time-of-use tariffs.
Using artificial intelligence, SMARTSTOR™ looks ahead and makes decisions for you, storing and buying energy efficiently. It doesn’t waste the energy you generate from solar and doesn’t buy expensive energy from the grid that you don’t need. It’s hassle-free, and for solar panel users with a solar battery, letting SMARTSTOR™ automatically manage your solar battery in real time can increase savings by 90% (compared to using just solar panels and a solar battery).
SMARTSTOR™ and our batteries save you money even if you don’t have solar panels. You simply store cheap electricity from the grid, bought intelligently by SMARTSTOR™, which understands your time-of-use tariff.
SMARTSTOR™ is designed to maximise your savings, and most of the time that means maximising the amount of cheap and green solar you store for later use.
Several factors could prevent your Powervault battery from charging, such as a fault in the solar panel system, a malfunctioning inverter, or issues with the battery itself. We recommend visually checking the connections before contacting our support team for further assistance.
If your Powervault battery is not discharging as expected, it could be due to incorrect settings in the SMARTSTOR™ software, a fault in the energy management system, or a problem with the battery itself. Try adjusting the discharge settings in the software and verifying the battery status. If the issue persists, contact our support team for troubleshooting assistance.
While some Powervault batteries are designed to provide backup power during grid outages, they may not be able to sustain power for extended periods or during severe weather conditions. Intermittent power outages or fluctuations could also be caused by issues with the grid, the inverter, or other electrical components. We recommend contacting your utility provider to report the issue and checking the status of your Powervault system for any faults.
Inaccurate information in the Powervault Portal could be caused by connectivity issues, software glitches, or sensor malfunctions. Try refreshing the software and visually checking the connectivity of your Powervault system, then if the problem persists, contact our support team for assistance.
Unusual noises or odors coming from your Powervault system could indicate a potential issue with the battery, inverter, or other components. We recommend immediately turning off the system and contacting our support team for further investigation. Do not attempt to troubleshoot or repair the system yourself to avoid potential safety hazards.
Several factors could contribute to a decrease in battery capacity, such as extreme temperatures, excessive cycling, or aging battery cells. We recommend monitoring the battery’s performance closely and contacting our support team if you notice any significant declines in capacity. Our team can help diagnose the issue and recommend appropriate solutions.
If you encounter issues with the Powervault web portal, try restarting the browser or refreshing the web page. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and that your device meets the browser’s system requirements. If the problem persists, contact our support team for assistance.
If you have exhausted all troubleshooting steps and your Powervault system is still not functioning correctly, contact our support team for further assistance. Our team of experts can help diagnose the issue, provide guidance on resolving the problem, and arrange for any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure that your Powervault system operates smoothly and efficiently.