Solar Battery Size: What You Need to Know About Manufacturing, Supply Chains and Choosing the Right System
If you’re planning to invest in solar energy storage, one of the most important questions you’ll face is: what solar battery size is right for my home? Behind that choice lies a bigger story — how solar batteries are manufactured, what’s inside them, and how they reach Australian households. Understanding the manufacturing process and supply chain helps you make smarter decisions about battery quality, lifespan, and return on investment.
The Global Supply Chain of Solar Batteries
Most people are surprised to learn that the journey of a solar battery often starts in Australia itself. Lithium mined in Western Australia is exported to China, where it’s turned into lithium-ion cells in advanced factories. These cells are then shipped back to Australia inside branded battery systems sold to homeowners.
The Big Three Manufacturers
The largest lithium cell suppliers globally — and the backbone of most solar batteries in Australia — are:
CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.)
Supplies cells for brands like Sungrow, Alpha ESS, SAJ, Redback, Delta and even Tesla Megapacks.
BYD (Build Your Dreams)
Vertically integrated, making everything from raw lithium to electric vehicles and the popular BYD Battery-Box. Their cells are also found in Goodwe systems.
EVE Energy
Supplies cost-effective cells for SIGENERGY, PowerPlus, Pylontech, and many off-grid battery solutions in Australia.
These companies produce both premium and budget cells — meaning the sticker on the outside of your battery doesn’t always reveal what’s inside.
Improvements in Manufacturing Quality
A decade ago, Chinese battery factories had a mixed reputation. Today, they lead the world in automation, robotics, and quality assurance. Many of these factories meet or exceed international standards like ISO 9001, making them as reliable — or more so — than factories in Japan, Korea, or Europe.
That said, not every solar battery is created equal. Grey market imports and low-cost systems may cut corners in casing, thermal management, or testing. This is why choosing a recognised brand and working with a reputable distributor or installer is critical in Australia.
Factors That Affect Solar Battery Size Choice
When deciding on the best solar battery size for your home, consider:
1. Your Daily Energy Consumption
Look at your electricity bills or smart meter data to see how much power you use during the day and at night.
2. Solar Panel System Size
A 6.6kW solar system may only generate enough extra energy to charge a 10kWh battery, while larger arrays can support 13–15kWh or more.
3. Backup Needs
If you want your battery to cover blackouts, you may need a larger unit or multiple batteries.
4. ROI and Payback Period
Bigger batteries cost more. The right balance is finding a size that maximises self-consumption without adding unnecessary years to your payback period.
Using a Solar Battery Calculator
A solar battery calculator is one of the best tools to answer the question: what size battery do I need for my house? Visit here
By inputting your daily usage, solar system size, and local electricity tariffs, you can quickly see:
The ideal kWh capacity for your needs
Estimated bill savings
Payback period with or without rebates
Comparison between different brands
This makes it easier to avoid overinvesting or under-sizing your system.
The Role of Distributors and Installers in Australia
After batteries are manufactured overseas, they arrive in Australia through distributors such as Supply Partners and Greentech. These companies provide:
Quality control and compliance with Clean Energy Council (CEC) standards
Warranty support and installer training
National warehouses for fast delivery
By choosing an installer who sources from a trusted distributor, you ensure that your battery system has proper support if issues arise in the future.
