Growatt Battery Review

Battery storage makes full use of free, renewable energy generated by solar panels. It gives you electricity when you need it most, when no solar power is being actively produced.

With state-of-the art technology, Growatt batteries provide efficient, reliable solar energy storage, incorporating advanced features, versatile voltage options, and strong safety measures.

To help you decide whether a Growatt solar battery is right for your home, our solar experts at Effective Home have looked into the company and its energy storage solutions, pricing, benefits, and more so you can have all the info you need in one place.

Who Are Growatt?

Growatt New Energy Technology is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, and its batteries are used by millions of households and businesses in more than 100 countries.

The company is a world leader in renewable energy, with a focus on technical and product innovation through research and development. It offers cost-effective and high-efficiency batteries as well as solar inverters.

Growatt was established in 2010 by a band of photovoltaic (PV) industry innovators led by David Ding. Their goal was to make sustainable energy accessible to everyone. As part of this mission, the company offers a broad range of residential, commercial, and utility-scale energy storage systems.

Growatt regularly picks up major worldwide honours for its batteries. International solar market researchers EUPD (European Utility Partners and Distributors), for example, has for many years awarded Growatt a top solar battery brand seal for its products in many countries, including the UK.

Other accolades have come from global certification organisation TUV Rheinland, for outstanding product quality and service, and from PV Magazine, for innovations in solar energy storage.

Growatt Batteries Overview

Growatt offers a variety of solar battery systems for residential, commercial, and off-grid applications.

Its batteries are designed with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, known for reliability, safety, and long lifespan. Both low-voltage and high-voltage options are available.

The low-voltage batteries are suitable for smaller solar panel installations. The high-voltage batteries range from 240V to 480V, providing flexibility for higher energy demands.

Advanced features of Growatt batteries include cell balancing technology. This improves efficiency and makes the battery last longer. Growatt batteries also have robust safety measures built in. These include overcharge protection, temperature control, and a comprehensive battery management system. 

An emergency power supply (EPS) provides backup energy if the National Grid is down, and a proprietary online smart service monitors and controls battery operation and safety.

Remote Troubleshooting And Upgrades

The Growatt built-in battery monitoring and management system means that if there’s a problem with your battery, the company’s technical services can diagnose the issue remotely. Furthermore, battery firmware – software that controls the hardware – is updated automatically.

Growatt Batteries For Homes

Solar panels only produce electricity during the day, when energy needs may be lower. Without a battery, surplus energy goes back to the National Grid. With a battery, you have stored solar energy on tap anytime you need it. Reducing reliance on mains electricity in this way results in lower energy bills, fewer carbon emissions, and increased energy security.

Growatt designs batteries for homes of all sizes, and they facilitate scalability. You can expand storage capacity anytime by adding more batteries, allowing for customisation based on growing energy demand.

For small-to-medium-size homes with low energy use, Growatt offers batteries to suit varying household energy demands, with capacities from 2.5kWh (kilowatt hours) to 6.4kWh. Growatt also designs batteries for larger houses with higher energy consumption, with capacities up to 10.4kWh, ensuring ample stored power for extended periods.

Types Of Residential Growatt Batteries

Growatt provides a range of solar batteries to meet the different needs of households looking to maximise energy use. These products include:

• ARK XH high-voltage series.
• ARK LV low-voltage series.
• AXE LV low-voltage series.
• Integrated systems combining battery with inverter in a single unit.

Growatt ARK Batteries

Models in the Growatt ARK battery family are easy to install and have a lifespan of more than 6,000 cycles, with impressive depth of discharge. 

The high-voltage ARK XH and low-voltage ARK LV series of batteries are both modular systems with capacities that can be increased over time by stacking additional batteries. 

ARK XH

• Max Efficiency: >97.5%.
• Depth of discharge: 90%.
• Warranty: 10 years.

ARK LV 

• Max. efficiency: >96%.
• Depth of discharge: 90%.
• Warranty: 10 years.

Growatt 3.3 kWh Battery

The compact Growatt 3.3 kWh battery system (GBLI3331) can be added to at any time. Up to six batteries with a depth of discharge of 93 percent can be combined for a maximum storage capacity of 19.8 kWh.

Growatt 6.5kWh Battery

The Growatt 6.5kWh low-voltage battery (GBLI6532) has a depth of discharge (DoD) of 94.5 percent and a 6,000-cycle lifespan. 

Growatt Battery Inverter Compatibility

All Growatt batteries need a battery inverter or a hybrid inverter. Inverters are a critical component of solar panel systems. They convert DC (direct current) electricity into AC (alternating current) to power homes.

Batteries and solar inverters work together, and Growatt batteries perform best with the company’s own inverters. Growatt inverters have efficiency ratings of up to 98.4 percent, one of the highest on the market.

However, Growatt batteries are compatible with most inverter brands. They use standardised communication protocols, including CAN and RS485, to ensure compatibility with a range of inverters.

Pros And Cons Of Growatt Batteries

Growatt battery systems offer several key benefits for homeowners with solar panels. But they come with some limitations too.

Pros

• Affordability. Growatt batteries are typically more cost-effective than other leading solar battery brands. This makes Growatt a good choice for households with a limited budget.
• Advanced battery technology. Growatt’s LiFePO4 batteries are one of the most advanced batteries available, with high efficiency, high energy density, outstanding safety, and long lifespan.
• Modular design. More Growatt batteries can be added to your system over time, allowing for scalability if energy needs increase.
• Minimal energy waste. Growatt batteries boast efficiency levels of more than 96 percent, ensuring minimal solar energy waste.
• Compatibility. Growatt batteries work with an assortment of inverters, not just the company’s proprietary models.
• Backup power. Growatt’s hybrid battery systems can operate off-grid, providing electricity during power cuts. 
• Durability. Growatt batteries are long-lasting even in tough environmental conditions. 

Cons

• History. Although established 14 years ago, Growatt hasn’t been in the battery business as long as some competitors. And its main product is inverters, not batteries, so it has a smaller battery market share.
• Software. Some Growatt customers have said they’d like the monitoring platform to be easier to use, with improved automation.
• Warranty. The Growatt battery warranty of 10 years, although competitive, is shorter than some premium brands such as LG and Tesla, which provide warranties of up to 15 years.
• Backup power. Not all Growatt batteries provide built-in backup emergency power. Some systems will need the addition of a Growatt Backup Box.

Growatt Battery Costs

Growatt offers competitively priced, powerful solar battery solutions, with prices often lower than other brands.

Growatt ARK XH

Growatt ARK XH models, a popular choice for households, cost from around £920 to £7,270 in 2024. 

Approximate price ranges:

• 2.56kWh ARK 2.5L-A1 (for smaller homes) – £920 to £1,150.
• 5kWh ARK XH (for medium-sized homes) – £2,300 to £2,680.
• 10.24kWh ARK 10H-A1 (for larger homes) – £4,210 to £4,980.
• 15.36kWh ARK 15H-A1 (for optimal energy independence) – £6,500 to £7,270.

Growatt ARK LV

Low-voltage Growatt ARK LV batteries are ideal for off-grid or hybrid setups.

• ARK 2.56kWh low-voltage entry-level battery – £960 to £1,200.
• ARK 5.12kWh (for medium-sized homes) – £2,000 to £2,560.
• ARK 10.24kWh low-voltage battery (for large homes) – £4,000 to £4,800.
• ARK 15.36kWh low-voltage battery (for larger households) – £6,000 – £7,040.

These estimates don’t include installation costs, which can range from around £380 to £1,500, depending on complexity of considerations such as battery mounting and wiring.

The optional battery monitoring system can cost up to around £400 depending on the features included.

Growatt Battery Installation

Installing a Growatt battery system is straightforward when carried out by a professional solar technician. The process entails:

• Site survey. The installer evaluates your household energy consumption, available space for the battery, and compatibility with existing solar system.
• System design. The installer designs a system that matches your energy requirements. You may need more than a battery, for example.
• Installation. The battery is installed, usually in a garage or utility room that’s well-ventilated and not exposed to direct sunlight.
• Inverter connection. If a hybrid inverter is to be used, it will be connected to the solar panels and the battery to manage flow of electricity between your home, the battery, and the grid.
• Commissioning. After installation, the battery system will be tested and commissioned. This involves checking connections, ensuring proper calibration, and setting up monitoring systems.

Growatt Batteries FAQs

Does Growatt actually make its batteries?

Growatt doesn’t manufacture its battery systems in-house. It uses an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to produce batteries to Growatt’s specifications – a common business arrangement for inverter manufacturers who venture into the battery market.

Can you increase Growatt battery storage capacity?

Yes, you can. Most Growatt batteries are modular, so you can easily add more batteries if your energy demand rises. ARK XH and ARK LV systems allow for expansion from 2.5kWh to 15kWh or more.

How long do Growatt batteries last?

With a cycle life of more than 6,000 cycles, Growatt batteries can last 10 to 15 years, depending on use patterns and how often they’re charged and discharged. 

Can I extend my Growatt warranty?

Most Growatt battery warranties are for 10 years. Extended warranties are available for around £230 to £760, depending on coverage and length.

Final Thoughts On Growatt Batteries

As sustainable energy becomes increasingly important, Growatt continues to be at the forefront of innovative and highly efficient solar battery technology.

The Growatt battery range offers user-friendly, reliable and versatile solar energy storage options for small households to larger homes. A modular design facilitates expansion of system storage capacity should you need it in the future.

Growatt didn’t start as a battery business and doesn’t actually make its branded batteries. This may be viewed as a downside, but the company is far from unique in this type of business arrangement.

Some industry observers are less than complimentary about Growatt batteries but the consensus appears to be that they offer a way for budget-conscious households to maximise the advantages of their solar panels and that can only be a good thing as more households make the switch to solar power. Different batteries for different budgets should only be encouraged, and Growatt certainly sets itself apart as an excellent performing budget battery option.