Last week, I wrote about the new Jackery EnergyGuard Max 100 kWh battery at IFA Berlin. This large capacity offers customers home energy storage to easily cover their needs as electrification evolves. Those with large, fully electrified homes, solar arrays and multiple EVs would still have capacity left to participate in virtual power plants (VPP). However, the large battery goes beyond the needs or means of many customers. Even for people who could put much of the capacity to use, many may be reluctant to start out with such a large system. Many customers may prefer a scalable solution, like Jackery’s SolarVault 3 balcony solar system. With SolarVault 3, customers could start with just a couple of panels and a 2.52 kWh main module Additional 2.52 kWh, 21 kg expansion battery modules can be added with DIY-friendly installation. As such, buyers can start small and add capacity to fit their needs. Jackery at IFA Berlin. Photo by Larry Evans Solar panel options also offer flexibility. Jackery offers 245W lightweight, flexible rugged solar panels that can be mounted easily with eyelets. The bifacial panels make angle to the sun less critical. Jackery at IFA Berlin. Photo by Larry Evans In addition, Jackery has also partnered with Sunbooster, which makes extremely flexible bifacial panels in strips that can be woven into standard wire fences. Due to how far north much of Europe is, bifacial panels with a vertical orientation often capture more light than the typical roof angle. That is especially the case in winter and during overcast days. The SolarVault 3 can charge up to 2500 W in the Pro Max model through a standard wall plug. It can also accept up to 4000 kW of PV power to charge the battery. These systems can output up to the 800 W maximum allowed in Germany for plug-in solar systems when connected to the grid. However, when disconnected from the utility, each unit can supply up to 3680 W of off-grid power. Jackery at IFA Berlin. Photo by Larry Evans However, the potential scalability doesn’t end there. At IFS, Jackery displayed the SolarVault Multisystem, which combines three balcony solar systems. While this does not have the plug-and-play simplicity of a balcony system, with a little more installation effort, the same system can increase in capability. By using a Power Hub, the combined system can accept up to 12 kW of solar input and provide up to 7.5 kW of on-grid power. Disconnected from the grid, the combined output can add up to 11 kW. Combining multiple expansion batteries can take capacity up to 45.36 kWh, which should be more than enough for many homes. The entire system is controlled and coordinated through an AI-powered energy management system (EMS). Jackery at IFA Berlin. Photo by Larry Evans Although it may be small, the SolarVault 3 also comes with Jackery’s FortiShield Safety System, A comprehensive 7-layer security framework. Safety does not need to be a concern for the smaller, scalable system versus a larger solar and battery system designed for just permanent installations. In many cases, the SolarVault 3 could be a good starter system for someone in an apartment or their first home. Someone could start with just the battery for a few hundred Euros, or include a couple panels for a little over a thousand. Due to the modularity, they could add on capability as needs and finances allow. Designed for over 15 years of use and backed by a 10-year warranty, it offers an extended life. Customers could take it with them when they move. The ease of use and installation would also create a potential secondhand market. Jackery EnergyGuard Max at IFA Berlin. Photo by Larry Evans In comparison to the SolarVault 3, the 100 kWh EnergyGuard Max would have a higher barrier to entry, costing more and requiring professional installation. However, while we do not have specific pricing, the price per kWh is undoubtedly less due to scale. If you were part of a virtual power plant (VPP) in a market with significant price fluctuations, that could make a lot of financial sense. Much of the battery could be used to simply charge when electricity is cheap and sell it back when prices are high, and there would still be plenty of capacity left to run a home. Many homes could also go off grid. The amount of power output and storage capacity should more than cover future needs of many people, even if their power demands increase. Even if the capacity of the liquid-cooled battery is reduced somewhat after a couple of decades, it would likely still retain more than enough to outlast many solar panels. Of course, different people have different needs and different perspectives. What works well for one household might not be ideal for another. So, what do you think is a better path forward? Start small, knowing you may have to upgrade in the future? Or start out with more than enough capability to easily cover anticipated future needs? I have a feeling that the scalability will find more customers. But which would you choose?
