Anker Introduces Modular Whole-Home Battery System – CleanTechnica

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Years ago, Anker made a name for itself in the United States selling small consumer battery devices like phone power banks, laptop batteries, and chargers. Unlike some other brands from the 2010s that are no longer with us, Anker’s quality stood out from the crowd and the company gained a loyal following. So, instead of having to stay in the consumer electronics lane, the company was able to start branching out into larger things in more and more markets, today serving a variety of customers in China, Japan, Singapore, the United States, Europe, and more.

Now, Anker has announced its biggest product yet: a whole-home battery storage system called the Anker SOLIX X1. Sure, other companies are already serving that need (especially Tesla), but Anker is bringing more than just a big battery and good software to the table.

If I had to sum up what the product offers in just one word, it would be “flexibility.”

To explain this, let’s start at the bottom floor: hardware. Unlike other systems that offer storage in increments of 10+ kWh of storage, the Anker SOLIX X1 system offers capacity from 5–180 kWh in small increments using a modular pack design. As far as available max power output, the system can serve as low as 3 kW and as much as 36 kW (this is a lot more than most homes use). So, when you shop for a system, you get to choose the size that fits your needs best, and expand the system later if your needs change. It can also work with an existing solar system you may already have on site, as it’s AC-coupled.

Perhaps more importantly, the system’s modular pack design makes it very resilient to problems. Since it’s built in small increments, if any module fails, the others can continue unaffected. This means that even if something goes wrong with the battery cells, you’ll still get as close to maximum storage and power as possible.

Another key benefit to the modular pack design is that there’s no energy storage or output loss if you expand the system, even years later. The system allows both new and old batteries with different degradation levels to work seamlessly. This means you don’t need to replace the whole system later to expand it!

On top of hardware flexibility and resilience, the system also offers software that can keep your home tickin’ when the grid takes a lickin’.

During normal times, you can switch between several modes for smart energy management. Self-powered mode maximizes your green energy use. Time-of-use mode helps the system charge the batteries while electricity prices are lower and utilize the stored electricity when the grid electricity price is higher. This offers you the best energy cost savings. If you are a California resident, the NEM 3.0 mode even allows you to quickly give energy back to the grid while the price is high to give you some of your power bill back. Furthermore, the innovative energy optimizer at each battery module makes sure you get the maximum energy which helps maximize your financial benefit.

The system is also always on the lookout for any kind of severe weather alert, and is ready to change storage strategies to take care of your family first by taking on a maximum charge. When a power outage hits (expected by the system or not), it switches your home to battery power in under 20 milliseconds. Then, it keeps the output up in case you need to run large appliances or home HVAC equipment. If the power outage stretches across multiple days, the battery system is also very capable of working to store solar power and keep the house going with or without the grid.

Cold weather doesn’t mean you lose the system, either. From temperatures as low as 4° below zero (F) and 131°F, a properly-equipped X1 system can achieve 100% of its rated power. Anker achieves this using thermal boosting technology to keep everything going even in cold conditions.

System safety and longevity are also paramount in the design. There’s no risk of fire or shock and it uses LiFePO4 batteries that don’t go up in flames. Consumers can experience peace of mind with a 10-year hassle-free warranty. 

All of this comes in a design that’s both minimalist and slim, so it doesn’t take up a bunch of room in the garage. It’s only 5.9″ thick, making it 40% thinner than most of the competition. It has a nice look on the outside, a beautiful and interactive light strip that gives you important key information, and a screen that gives you the rest of the data you might need (state of charge, home load power, etc.). The streamlined grille on the side panels conceals the wiring on both sides so you don’t have to have an ugly, thick rat’s nest of wires in your space.

All of this is controllable with one app, too. Not only does it give you the information you need, but it puts the power it stores in your hands!

If this sounds like a great system for your property, be sure to learn more about the system here. Customers who get a quote from Anker between April 23 and June 30, 2024, will get a free Anker SOLIX C800 Plus portable power station after purchase and installation of the X1.

Images provided by Anker.