Canadian Solar has been a trusted name in solar panels for over two decades. We like them so much that we even put them on our top 10 solar manufacturers list. The company’s primary focus for the residential industry has been solar panels – until now.
At the RE+ conference in Anaheim, California, Canadian Solar launched its newest residential product: the EP Cube residential battery. The battery can go up to 19.9 kilowatt-hours in size, comes with an integrated inverter, and can be installed with or without solar. The EP Cube energy storage system is slated to enter the market at the start of 2023.
Will the EP Cube live up to the hype of Canadian Solar’s solar panels? Let’s take a closer look.
Features of the EP Cube battery
The EP Cube is a modular battery that comes with a built-in hybrid inverter. With modular batteries, homeowners can choose how many battery packs (or modules) they want in their battery to best fit their energy needs. The smallest EP Cube comes with three modules that can store 9.9 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy. You can have up to six modules for a total storage capacity of 19.9 kWh.
The battery system is able to output 7.6 kilowatts (kW) of power, so it can run your most essential appliances in a blackout. The output may be slightly lower when the battery is operating off-grid without solar panels, depending on how many battery modules you have.
If you need more than 19.9 kWh of storage or more than 7.6 kW of power output, you can install up to six EP Cube units for a maximum capacity of 119.9 kWh. The majority of homeowners won’t need that much backup power, but it is an option that’s available to you. The EP Cube can also be connected to a gas-powered generator to provide extra backup power in case of emergency.
It’s also worth noting that the EP Cube has a NEMA 4X enclosure rating, so it can be installed outdoors and is able to withstand weather conditions, dust, corrosion, and water. Plus, the EP Cube is a lithium iron phosphate battery which means the battery is safer and will last longer than competitors like the Tesla Powerwall.
Based on these specifications, it seems like the EP Cube is a pretty solid battery, and outperforms some current batteries on the market while offering greater customization. Not to mention, we got to see the EP Cube in person at the RE+ conference – and believe us, it’s a great-looking battery. We wouldn’t mind having it in our garage!
How much does the EP Cube cost?
Canadian Solar hasn’t released any official pricing for the EP Cube system. However, you can probably expect it to cost no less than between $12,000 and $15,000 for the 3-module option. As you add battery modules and units, the total price will increase. When the EP Cube officially becomes available for purchase in 2023, more pricing may become available.
Batteries don’t come cheap, but the good news is that they qualify for incentives. Right now, batteries paired with solar panels qualify for the 30% federal tax credit, saving thousands on installation costs. Starting in 2023, all batteries can get the tax credit, even if they aren’t charged with solar!
There might also be local energy storage incentives available in your area, like California’s Self Generation Incentive Program or Green Mountain Power’s Bring Your Own Device program.
The EP Cube warranty
Canadian Solar is offering an excellent warranty for its battery system. The warranty states the battery will hold at least 80% of its capacity at 10 years, or 6,000 cycles, whichever comes first.
Most batteries on the market today only offer a 70% capacity guarantee after 10 years, meaning the EP Cube will be able to store more power for you than its competitors over time. Not to mention, you’ll likely reach the full 10-year warranty before completely charging and discharging the battery 6,000 times.
Is Canadian Solar’s EP Cube battery right for you?
Canadian Solar’s flagship residential battery is shaping up to be a pretty impressive product. We can’t say for sure yet that it’s the right battery for your home since we haven’t seen it installed in the real world yet, but from everything we’ve seen it seems like it will be a great option for homeowners looking for battery storage.
The modularity of the battery really sets it apart from a lot of the popular batteries available today like sonnen and Tesla, and it lets homeowners have more control over how much energy storage they install. The best part is the warranty – it exceeds industry standards and Canadian Solar is a reliable brand that you can trust to fulfill it, if needed.
Keep in mind, not everyone needs a solar battery. For most homeowners, a battery won’t save you any additional money on your electric bills, but it will provide peace of mind in case you experience a power outage. You can use our solar battery calculator to get an idea of how installing energy storage will impact your investment in solar panels, so you can find out if it’s worth it for you.
