BYD Battery Box Review: 2023 Solar Battery Range
JFK EnergyBYD is a titan in the electric vehicle and battery industry. They have rapidly built their company into China’s largest rechargeable battery manufacturer and the fourth largest in the world. As such, BYD Battery Boxes remain one of the most sought-after energy storage solutions for both residential and commercial purposes.
BYD Battery Boxes are a range of solar battery storage devices that are sold by a number of large solar installation companies due to the flexibility and expansion capabilities of their extensive line of high- and low-voltage batteries.
If you have been considering this product, it’s no surprise, as many consider it to be one of the best solar batteries in Australia. But if you want to learn more about it and how it compares to the competition, continue reading below to find out.
What is a BYD Battery Box?
BYD Battery Boxes are a line of solar battery products ranging from residential to commercial applications. BYD Battery Boxes are used for backup power and off-grid power supplies, optimising renewable energy-efficiency, and everything in between.
Emergency power and off-grid utilisation are among the most common applications for the BYD Battery Box. The battery’s high discharge capacity enables its operation even when connected to the main electrical grid. The BYD Box can supply power to off-grid homes, remote cabins and even commercial projects with very sensitive loads.
Optimisation of electricity usage is another common application of BYD Battery Box customers. With the government pushing the switch to renewable energy, which comes with subsidies and rebates, more and more people are looking to increase their power generation self-sufficiency and efficiency. Continued use of renewable energy solutions such as this becomes more economical in the long run.
Of course, scenarios and circumstances where the battery box can be used are not limited to those mentioned above. There are many instances in which having an energy storage solution is beneficial beyond electricity cost, especially since you can start with a lower capacity BYD Battery Box and add capacity at any time throughout the product’s life.
Who Makes BYD Battery Box?
BYD Battery Boxes are made by BYD Co. Ltd. (“Build Your Dreams”) which is a Chinese conglomerate manufacturing company based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, founded in February 1995. The company has two primary subsidiaries, BYD Automobile and BYD Electronic, with the latter manufacturing the BYD Battery Box.
BYD Co. Ltd. is widely known for manufacturing fully electric and hybrid motor vehicles. They also manufacture battery-operated bicycles, forklifts, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries such as the BYD Battery Box.
The company was publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 31 July 2002 and initially competed in the Chinese rechargeable batteries market against Japanese imports. According to BYD’s sales figures, they have surpassed Tesla for the highest electric vehicle sales globally.
The company rapidly grew after capturing more than 50% of the world’s market for mobile phone batteries. It is now the largest Chinese manufacturer of all kinds of rechargeable batteries and the fourth worldwide. In 2010, BYD ranked highest in Bloomberg Businessweek’s Tech 100 List, which included other large and fast-growing tech companies.
What Types of BYD Battery Boxes are Available?
BYD Battery Boxes come in three distinct lines: the High Voltage (HVS/ HVM/ HVL US), the Low Voltage LVS, and the Low Voltage LVL.
All BYD Battery Box models use a Lithium Iron Phosphate (Cobalt-free) battery and are suitable for use on-grid, as on-grid back-up, or off-grid. All have an operating temperature of -10°C to +50°C.
BYD Battery Box Premium HVS
The BYD Battery Box Premium HVS range is composed of anywhere from two to five battery modules interconnected to reach a combined usable capacity of 5.1 to 12.8kWh. It is possible to connect up to three (identical) HVS products to achieve a total capacity of 38.2kWh.
| HVS 5.1 | HVS 7.7 | HVS 10.2 | HVS 12.8 | |
| No. of Battery Modules | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Usable Capacity | 5.12 kWh | 7.68 kWh | 10.24 kWh | 12.8 kWh |
| Nominal Capacity | 5.12 kWh | 7.68 kWh | 10.24 kWh | 12.8 kWh |
| Power | 5 kW | 5 kW | 5 kW | 5 kW |
| Round Trip Efficiency | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% |
| Max Output Current | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A |
| Peak Output Current | 50 A, 3 s | 50 A, 3 s | 50 A, 3 s | 50 A, 3 s |
| Nominal Voltage | 204.8 V | 307.2 V | 409.6 V | 512 V |
| Operating Voltage | 160-240 V | 240-360 V | 320-480 V | 400-600 V |
| Weight | 91 kg | 129 kg | 167 kg | 205 kg |
| Dimensions | 712 x 585 x 298 mm | 945 x 585 x 298 mm | 1178 x 585 x 298 mm | 1411 x 585 x 298 mm |
| Enclosure Protection Rating | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Estimated Retail Pricing* | $5,060 | $7113 | $9167 | $11,220 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years |
| Total Warranted kWh (1 cycle per day) | 15,410 | 23,120 | 30,820 | 38,530 |
| Cost per Total Warranted kWh (1 cycle per day) | $0.33 (+ inverter cost) | $0.31 (+ inverter cost) | $0.30 (+ inverter cost) | $0.29 (+ inverter cost) |
BYD Battery Box Premium HVL US
Battery Boxes under this line are composed of three to eight HVL battery modules, making it possible to achieve a peak capacity of up to 32kWh.
BYD Battery Box Premium HVM
The BYD Battery Box Premium HVM line is composed of three to eight B-plus HVM 2,71 battery modules connected serially for a compounded total capacity of 8.1 to 21.7kWh. Up to three identical HVM products may also be combined for a maximum capacity of 65.0kWh.
| HVM 8.3 | HVM 11.0 | HVM 13.8 | HVM 16.6 | HVM 19.3 | HVM 22.1 | |
| No. of Battery Modules | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Usable Capacity | 8.28 kWh | 11.04 kWh | 13.80 kWh | 16.56 kWh | 19.32 kWh | 22.08 kWh |
| Nominal Capacity | 8.28 kWh | 11.04 kWh | 13.80kWh | 16.56 kWh | 19.32 kWh | 22.08 kWh |
| Round Trip Efficiency | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% | ≥96% |
| Max Output Current | 50 A | 50 A | 50 A | 50 A | 50 A | 50 A |
| Peak Output Current | 75 A, 3 s | 75 A, 3 s | 75 A, 3 s | 75 A, 3 s | 75 A, 3 s | 75 A, 3 s |
| Nominal Voltage | 153.6 V | 204.8 V | 256 V | 307.2 V | 358.4 V | 409.6 V |
| Operating Voltage | 120-177 V | 160-236 V | 200-295 V | 240-354 V | 280-413 V | 320-472 V |
| Weight | 129 kg | 167 kg | 205 kg | 243 kg | 281 kg | 319 kg |
| Enclosure Protection Rating | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years |
BYD Battery Box Low Voltage LVS
The Battery Box Low Voltage LVS is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) mobile battery meant to be used with an external inverter. Products under this line will contain anywhere from one to six battery modules stacked in parallel to achieve up to 24kWh of usable capacity. You may opt to connect up to 16 of the LVS 16.0 model to reach a usable capacity of 256kWh.
| LVS 4.0 | LVS 8.0 | LVS 12.0 | LVS 16.0 | LVS 20.0 | LVS 24.0 | |
| No. of Battery Modules | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Usable Capacity | 4 kWh | 8 kWh | 12 kWh | 16 kWh | 20 kWh | 24 kWh |
| Nominal Capacity | 4 kWh | 8 kWh | 12 kWh | 16 kWh | 20 kWh | 24 kWh |
| Round Trip Efficiency | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% | ≥95% |
| Max Output Current | 65 A | 130 A | 195 A | 250 A | 250 A | 250 A |
| Peak Output Current | 90 A, 5 s | 180 A, 5 s | 270 A, 5 s | 360 A, 5 s | 360 A, 5 s | 360 A, 5 s |
| Nominal Voltage | 51.2 V | 51.2 V | 51.2 V | 51.2 V | 51.2 V | 51.2 V |
| Operating Voltage | 40-57.6 V | 40-57.6 V | 40-57.6 V | 40-57.6 V | 40-57.6 V | 40-57.6 V |
| Weight | 64 kg | 109 kg | 154 kg | 199 kg | 244 kg | 289 kg |
| Enclosure Protection Rating | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Warranty | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years |
BYD Battery Box Low Voltage LVL
The BYD Battery Box Low Voltage LVL is also an LFP to be used with an external inverter. It contains a Control and Communication Port (BMU), which allows it to scale to meet the specific requirements of its projects. You may start with a Premium LVL 15.4 model and eventually stack up to 983kWh of usable capacity.
| LVL 15.4 | |
| No. of Battery Modules | 2 |
| Usable Capacity | 15.36 kWh |
| Max Output Current | 250 A |
| Peak Output Current | 375 A, 5 s |
| Nominal Voltage | 51.2 V |
| Operating Voltage | 40-57.6 V |
| Weight | 164 kg |
| Enclosure Protection Rating | IP20 |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
How Much Does a BYD Battery Box Cost in Australia?
The BYD Battery Box LVL is priced at anywhere from $12,000 to $13,500, whereas the LVS 4.0 is priced at anywhere from $3,500 to $4,000.
The BYD Battery Box HVS is priced at an average of $4,000 to $12,000 depending on capacity, with about $2000 difference for each step up.
The BYD Battery Box HVM is priced from around $9,500 to $24,000, with a difference of about $3000 for each increase in capacity.
Pros and Cons of BYD Battery Box
Of course, no battery or energy storage solution is perfect. Choosing from products available in the market will always entail a tradeoff in some aspects; it is a matter of which specifications and/ or characteristics are more important to you and your needs.
Below, we have listed the advantages and disadvantages of the BYD Battery Box.
What are the Pros of a BYD Battery Box?
The main advantages of the BYD Battery Box include:
- Products are expandable, providing customers the option of slowly but continually increasing the energy storage capacity
- It features a high cycle life, and a 10-year warranty
- It has a relatively high usable capacity, round-trip storage efficiency, and output power ratings
- It is manufactured by one of the largest rechargeable battery companies in the world
- It is compatible with both SMA Sunny Island and GoodWe inverters
- It can be used for single and 3-phase on-grid/ off-grid scenarios
- BYD is well known for having an established after-sales and logistics channel for BYD battery boxes in Australia
What are the Cons of a BYD Battery Box?
The key drawbacks of the BYD Battery Box are:
- Not as compatible with many inverters in the market compared to other competitors
- There’s lots of different options to choose from, which some may see as confusing when not working with a solar professional
- Some manufacturers and brands offer slightly longer warranties
- Earlier models exhibited performance issues in extremely cold environments
BYD Battery Box Reviews
BYD solar batteries have received an average customer rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 on SolarQuotes.
"System got installed end of April 2022. It's still early days, the installation went smoothly and the battery performance is excellent so far. Tested it it by running the Air-conditioner during the night for +- 2 has and mornings. Not once I had to use power from the grid. So far I am vary happy with the purchase." - Wolfgang, SolarQuotes
"They are big boxes but look neat and tidy. Able to supply 5 Kw from battery. Batteries are not quite fully charging in very wet weather but easily charge on sunny days." - Mo, SolarQuotes
"18kW solar & 22kW battery system. Solar has generated between 40kWh (rainy day) to 140kWh (sunny day) with the majority being exported. Nightly battery consumption is 20%. System has not been run to capacity yet as only 2 months since install and hasn't been a hot or cold enough day to run air con. [...] The batteries run silently." - Gordon, SolarQuotes
"the b-box is nice and discreet. time will tell the ultimate reliability. The modular 'all in one' set up is a big selling point for me." - Mat, SolarQuotes
"The fact if needed more batteries can be added at a later date was a big selling point." - Eldred & Joyce, SolarQuotes
BYD Battery Box FAQs
Where are BYD Battery Boxes Made?
All BYD Battery Boxes are currently manufactured in China. From there, they are shipped throughout the world as one of the leading solar battery solutions.
What Type of Batteries do BYD Battery Boxes Use?
BYD uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (Cobalt-free) batteries, as batteries made from Lithium Iron Phosphate are known for having a longer lifespan with less maintenance and fewer safety concerns.
What Compatibility Does a BYD Battery Box Have?
Depending on the exact model and capacity of the BY Battery Box, it may be compatible with specific models of the following inverter manufacturers: GoodWe, SMA Sunny Island, Sungrow, Solis, Fronius, Selectronic, Victron Energy.
What Type of Warranty Does a BYD Battery Box Have?
BYD Battery Boxes have a 10-year warranty on all of their products.
How Long do BYD Battery Boxes Last?
Assuming that the battery boxes are cycled once per day, they are expected to last approximately 9.3 years. However, how long a solar battery lasts ultimately depends on the type and brand of the battery, and the condition it's kept in.
Is a BYD Battery Box Good for Home Solar?
Yes, the BYD Battery Box is good for home solar applications due to its flexibility, expansion possibilities, and reliable performance. BYD Battery Boxes have previously topped longevity tests and continue to be one of the best-performing energy storage solutions in the market today.
With the BYD Battery Box’s expansive lineup, there is a battery box for every residence and family size for both on and off-grid locations, regardless of how much electricity the household consumes. A long life cycle, decent warranty, and arguably unmatched performance help the BYD battery box keep its name relevant amongst its competitors.
Where Can I Get a BYD Battery Box in Australia?
Interested customers can get a unit of the BYD Battery Box at major solar installation companies in Australia. Ensure that you source your unit(s) from reputable solar installation companies to get brand-new products installed at a reasonable price.
Here at JFK Electrical, we supply and install a range of BYD Battery Box storage solutions in the Mandurah and Perth regions. Give us a call to find out more.
Related Questions
Does BYD Supply Batteries to Tesla?
Although not yet final, there have been talks about BYD supplying batteries to Tesla’s automobiles. Its experience with electric cars and batteries makes BYD’s portfolio a very plausible and formidable supplier for Tesla. However, confirmation remains to be seen since the Tesla solar battery has gained popularity and has seen increased production.
What does BYD Stand for?
The ‘BYD’ is an abbreviation for “Build Your Dreams.”
Where Does BYD Source its Lithium?
BYD sources most of its lithium from the province of Qinghai, where 80% of China’s lithium reserves are located. However, BYD has also been observing lithium mines outside of their country. Six mines in Africa have been eyed by the electric automobile and battery giant since June 2022.
Disclaimer:
This article is published in good faith and for general informational purposes only. JFK Electrical does not make any warranties about the ongoing completeness and reliability of this information. Always seek personalised advice on solar energy to ensure any recommendations suit your property and scenario.