Last updated 1 August 2025
Key takeaways
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries are the best all-round choice for most residential and commercial off-grid situations.
- Lithium titanate batteries are a premium option with ultra-long lifespan for long-term setups.
- Battery lifespan, safety, and expandability are more important than price alone.
- Stick to proven, reputable brands to ensure reliability and warranty protection.
- Avoid lead-acid batteries – they’re outdated and not suited to Australian conditions.
Once you start looking into storing excess power from your solar panels, it can seem like there are endless options for battery technology – and there’s certainly plenty of marketing hype to go along with it. There is always something new: a new technology, a new chemistry, even a new price point that is significantly (and often suspiciously) lower than competitor offerings.
Not all battery chemistries are the same. Not all ‘deals’ offer long-lasting value. And more importantly, not all solar power batteries on the market are suited for our harsh Australian conditions.
As the off-grid solar power experts, we’ve created a clear and practical guide to help you choose wisely when it comes to batteries.
What Makes a Solar Battery the “Best” for Australia’s Climate?
Getting off the power grid isn’t just about installing a few solar panels; you must also have effective sources of backup power. This ensures uninterrupted power supply at nighttime, on cloudy or stormy days, or during power outages if you have a hybrid system.
To this end, you need reliable off-grid battery modules for power storage. There are a few factors you need to consider when choosing the best off-grid solar battery for your property:
1. How long will the battery last?
Lifespan is the question of how long your battery will last. Guarantees can vary wildly from type to type, and even between manufacturers of the ‘same’ batteries.
A battery’s cycle life is the number of times the battery can be fully charged, then discharged, before its capacity starts to degrade to a certain level (typically 80% of its original capacity). More cycles mean a longer battery life – you can get more peak performance from your battery before the power output becomes affected.
2. Usable capacity
Batteries have a nominal capacity (the total amount of energy they can store when fully charged) and a usable capacity (the actual amount of energy you can use before the battery is considered depleted).
Different battery chemistries have different maximum depth of discharge, and choosing the wrong one might end up inconveniencing you at bad times, like running out before you can replenish stored solar energy.
3. Safety and maintenance
Can you use it in your local conditions, and how much maintenance does it require? Off-grid solar batteries in Australia should be as low-maintenance as possible and able to perform in extreme conditions (like in hot, remote areas).
4. Upgrade flexibility
If your battery system cannot be upgraded or expanded, you will have to replace it. Having enhanced upgrade flexibility is essential for future-proofing your current off-grid solar power system, so you can avoid having to spend more time and money installing an upgraded solar energy system a few years down the road.
5. Proven technology
Don’t gamble on the new guys to the game. Use proven technology and reputable brands – ideally Australian ones, as they are subject to ACCC warranty regulations. This means you won’t risk losing your warranty protection before it expires.
6. True lifetime value
The upfront cost is one thing, but the value is another. When you buy quality batteries manufactured by reputable brands, the years of performance you can count on often outstrip the cheaper price tags. If you break it down by cost per year of use, the picture starts to look very different.
Related: How Much Does a 10kW Off-grid Solar System Cost?
Key Battery Types for an Off-grid Solar System
You tend to get what you pay for with battery energy storage systems. It’s worth paying attention to manufacturer specifications, guarantees and warranties as these will give you an indication of the difference between brands. Here is a brief overview of common off-grid batteries for solar systems:
| Battery Chemistry (Battery Type) | Average Lifespan | Description |
| Lead Acid Batteries | 3-7 years | Old but reliable, lead-acid batteries are largely outdated as better & longer-lasting solutions are available. |
| Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) | 5-15 years (manufacturer dependent) | Today’s most common choice, and for good reason. Lightweight, compact, durable cells. |
| Lithium Titanate Batteries | 20+ years | Premium longevity & durability – you get what you pay for with this one. |
| Flow Batteries | 20+ years | Good for commercial scale, rare for residential use. |
Our Top Recommendations for Australian Conditions
Best All-Rounder for Homes:
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries are often compared to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries can have a higher energy density; however, LiFePO4 prove the superior option for reliability and safety while remaining lightweight and affordable. They are very suited for energy storage in solar power systems.
Even though many manufacturers make LiFePO4 batteries, we refuse to sell the cheaper ones to our customers. This is because we have had too many warranty issues over the years with cheaper brands. Why risk your hard-earned cash on something inferior when it’s only 15-20% more to get top-of-the-range solar energy storage?
The top off-grid battery brands we recommend are:
- PowerPlus Energy (Australian-made)
- Gen Z (better warranty on paper)
A happy customer who moved to lithium iron phosphate batteries:
Here’s a recent customer testimonial explaining how we got a residential customer up and running after his previous batteries failed:
Big thank you to Jason at Statewide Power!
For all previous RedFlow Battery Users … RedFlow company went bust causing my off-grid power system to fail so I needed help fast to replace my flow batteries with an effective solution.
Jason and Jeremy at Statewide Power were able to do the conversion quickly.I now have an effective and efficient system, working better than it ever did previously … makes my Victron system (coupled with LFP Batteries) run like a Lithium Lamborghini compared to the Redflow bus … I can wholeheartedly recommend you talk to Jason at Statewide Power … Geoff Uren
Best Long-term Investment:
Lithium titanate is undoubtedly the best choice if you’re planning on being at your off-grid property long term. The start-up cost is steeper, but the lifespan gets an impressive hike as well – these solar batteries are double the cost of LiFePO4 and last 2.5x longer as well. This ends up much cheaper in the long term once you factor in inflation and the rising costs of traditional electricity bills and fuel.
The lithium titanate units we use in our off-grid systems are IP56-rated (weatherproof), virtually zero maintenance and extremely robust for solar energy storage in WA’s extreme heat and remote areas.
Best for Large Commercial Installations:
Flow batteries are a good option for large commercial operations. They have a lifespan of 20 years or more and show virtually no degradation of battery capacity. These aren’t typical for off-grid home installations, but for big, stationary commercial or industrial setups, they can be worth considering.
What We Don’t Recommend Anymore:
Lead-acid batteries aren’t a worthwhile choice for your solar battery setup. We haven’t installed any of these in years now, and we don’t recommend them.
For a long time, lead-acid batteries were the best and most reliable choice, but modern lithium batteries have pulled ahead in terms of energy efficiency, weight and longevity (lead-acid batteries can degrade, corrode and fail over time, especially in harsh WA conditions).
Why Choosing a Reputable Brand Matters More Than Ever
While the industry has undoubtedly come a long way and there are plenty of brands on the market, it’s still apples and oranges for quality, longevity, and enduring warranties.
Choosing a reputable brand means guaranteeing:
- Protection of your warranty rights
- Quality control and product support
- Avoidance of early failures (we’ve learned this the hard way!)
Statewide Power only works with reputable brands offering products with proven performance. If we don’t trust it on our own properties, we won’t install it on yours – it’s as simple as that.
Which Solar Battery is Best for You?
In our opinion, LiFePO4 and lithium titanate batteries are the clear winners for your off-grid solar system. They have great energy density, can be part of expandable module systems, and even though you may pay more for premium options, they offer much better value over time through longevity and enduring performance.
However, your intended use will ultimately determine which is the best off-grid energy solution for you:
- How much energy will you need to store for backup power?
- Are you planning to stay at your property long-term?
- How frequently will you be cycling your batteries – daily, or only occasionally?
- Would you prioritise absolute minimal maintenance over other features?
The size and scalability of your solar power system is crucial – for example, if you need to add solar panels later to power higher energy needs, is your battery capacity expandable?
It’s much easier to scale your battery energy storage solutions later if you have the right solar setup from the start; otherwise, you risk having to replace battery modules that can’t be expanded or retrofitted. This can be an expensive fix.
Statewide Power: Your Off-Grid Experts
Solar technology is highly customisable, which works to your advantage. A custom solar solution, including the best batteries for the job, will give you much better value over time, whether you’re powering an off-grid residence or large-scale operations.
Choosing the right solar battery will give you years of reliable, worry-free off-grid living. The team at Statewide Power offers personalised advice and expert battery solutions to suit you, with years of experience providing durable and lasting off-grid setups across WA.
Why not contact us today to discuss what you need and how we can deliver it?
