Expert review of Panasonic’s EVERVOLT Home Battery

SolarReviews’ industry experts rated the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery as the second-best solar battery of 2024. Its modular design allows for flexibility, and it comes with a fantastic warranty backed by one of the world’s largest electronics companies.

Expert review: Pansonic EVERVOLT Home Battery

We recommend the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery to any homeowner looking for battery storage. In fact, it scored the number two spot on our list of best solar batteries of 2024 and earned the title of best stackable battery.

The modular and stackable design of the EVERVOLT battery makes it easy to design a system with just the right amount of storage. It also has a stellar 12-year warranty, which is two years longer than the industry average. Plus, that warranty is backed by a reliable company. If something does go wrong, you can trust that Panasonic will be around to honor the claim. 

How does the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery work?

The Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery is designed to charge from solar panels, the grid, or a generator to power your home in the event of a power outage or when electricity rates are expensive and maximize the amount of solar electricity you use. 

What sets the EVERVOLT apart is its modular and stackable design. Adding more battery packs or installing multiple units can easily increase storage capacity and power output.

There are three main pieces of equipment in a Panasonic battery system:

• The battery modules which store energy. You can have up to four battery modules per inverter.

• The inverter which converts electricity from the grid and your solar panels into energy that can be stored by the battery and used by the home

• The EVERVOLT SmartBox battery management system, where the battery, grid, solar, and your home electrical loads connect. 

These components work together to seamlessly integrate battery storage into your home, especially when installed with Panasonic EVERVOLT solar panels. 

How does the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery compare to other solar batteries?

Battery	Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery (EVHB-17-X10)	Tesla Powerwall 2	Enphase IQ 10T
Usable capacity	13.5 kWh	13.4 kWh	10.08 kWh
Continuous power output	7.6 kW	5.6 kW	3.84
Round-trip efficiency (AC/DC coupling)	89%/94%	90%	89%/96%
Chemistry	LFP	NMC	LFP
Warranty	70% capacity at 12-years or 6,000 cycles	70% capacity at 10 years, unlimited cycles (depending on operation)	60% capacity at 15 years or 6,000 cycles

Battery capacity

The usable capacity rating of a battery measures how much energy is stored and can be used from the battery.

The EVERVOLT Home battery has usable capacity ratings ranging from 9 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 18 kWh, which is standard for most solar batteries. The best one for you depends on your energy needs, but most homeowners will likely be satisfied with either the 9 kWh or the 13.5 kWh size.

Since the EVERVOLT battery is modular, homeowners can choose how many battery packs they want. With each battery pack storing about 4.5 kWh, you get more flexibility over how much storage you install. 

The Tesla Powerwall, on the other hand, is only stackable, which means even if you need just a little more storage, you’d have to install a second 13.5 kWh battery. Modular designs ensure you get the precise amount of storage you need. 

Continuous power output

A battery’s power output indicates how much power it can release, providing an idea of how many appliances it can power. The power output of the EVERVOLT battery will vary depending on how many battery modules you choose. The smallest EVERVOLT can output 5.5 kilowatts (kW), while the remaining models can release 7.6 kW. 

Compared to popular home batteries like the Powerwall and Enphase IQ, the EVERVOLT Home Battery is more powerful but still within the industry standard. You’ll have to install a second EVERVOLT unit if you need more power. 

Round-trip efficiency

The efficiency of a battery reflects its ability to store and release power effectively. Panasonic's EVERVOLT battery demonstrates solid efficiency, reaching 89% when AC-coupled and 94% when DC-coupled, aligning well with industry standards.

AC-coupled batteries are slightly less efficient than their DC-coupled counterparts. This is because, in AC-coupled systems, the power generated by solar panels undergoes an additional conversion, resulting in more energy loss.

Choosing between AC and DC-coupled batteries depends on your solar panel setup. AC-coupled batteries are best for integration with existing solar panel systems, while DC-coupled batteries are preferable for simultaneous installation with the panels. Panasonic offers AC and DC-coupled models, so you’re set either way!

Chemistry 

Almost all home solar batteries today are lithium-ion batteries. But, there are different types of lithium batteries available.

Panasonic uses lithium ferrite phosphate batteries. This chemistry has quickly become the number one option among home storage manufacturers because it’s safer and longer lasting than other types. 

Our experts tend to lean more towards LFP batteries than those that use nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. However, that shouldn’t be a make-it-or-break-it decision. 

Warranty

As batteries are used, they lose their ability to hold a charge. Think about your cell phone - you probably need to charge it more often now than when you first got it! 

Home batteries work the same way. Luckily, batteries come with a performance warranty outlining how much capacity they will retain after a certain number of years or discharge cycles. 

Panasonic’s warranty states the battery will retain 70% of its original capacity after 12 years or 6,000 cycles, whichever comes first. This is a fantastic warranty, as most manufacturers only offer 10 years of coverage or 5,000 cycles. 

How much does the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home battery cost?

Panasonic doesn’t offer official pricing for its current battery, but historically, Panasonic has priced its battery products in line with other home batteries, maybe a touch on the higher side.

The average cost for a solar battery can be between $12,000 and $20,000, depending on the size and the installation. For reference, the Tesla Powerwall costs about $15,500 when installed by Tesla.

That’s a pretty hefty investment, but the Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit, so you can earn a lot of savings. Additional battery incentives may also be available where you live to reduce battery costs even further!

Finding the right solar companies to install Panasonic batteries

Choosing the right solar installer is the most important decision you’ll make when looking to install solar panels or battery storage. 

Solar-plus-storage systems are a long-term investment, so you need to choose a company that you can trust will be there to support you down the road. Our solar industry experts recommend finding companies that have been in business for at least five years, employ their own installation crew, and have consistent, high customer reviews. 

To get the best price and the best quality possible, we recommend comparing at least three quotes from local solar companies.