Aboriginal-owned company AllGrid is providing a solar energy system that is 30 percent cheaper per kilowatt-hour (kWh), it told NITV News.
"We believe AllGrid Energy’s WattGrid systems are currently the most cost-effective storage entry point in the market today," said CEO Ray Pratt.
AllGrid provides a that includes a 4kW solar system and a 10kWh battery, providing 10 usable hours, which trumps energy giant Tesla's own system (4kW solar system and a 7kWh battery) amounting to 6.4 usable hours.
To provide perspective, the average family home uses an average of around 24kWh. An average family home in Brisbane with 4kW of solar will produce on average 17kWh of energy per day, according to AllGrid.
AllGrid's WattGrid system Source: AllGrid Energy
"Some of this will be used to charge the batteries and the excess is either consumed in the home or exported to the grid. When the sun goes down, the batteries will supply up to 10kWh of power to the home," a spokesperson for AllGrid told NITV.
"Each home varies dependent on lifestyle and appliances that are used, however, the average family home will save on average between 60-80 percent on their energy costs."
AllGrid Energy says its WattGrid system provides batteries in 7kWh, 10kWh and 12 kWh capacities.
Tesla provides 7kWh batteries, providing 30 percent less energy than AllGrid's 10kWh system, but multiple Tesla batteries can be installed .
WattGrid also prides itself on using gel lead-acid based batteries, which it says are proven, reliable and cost-effective, and have been in use for decades.
Powerwall batteries are made from lithium, known to power small electronics and be low mainenance, the same type used in Tesla cars.
In the US, Tesla Powerwall batteries can be bought for around $3,500 wholesale. However, potential Australian customers should consider the added costs of customs and installation, says energy retailer Origin Energy.
In Australia, Origin Energy is collaborating with Tesla to provide Powerwall Installation, which along with the 4kW solar panels and battery includes an inverter called Solar Edge.
“The Solar Edge inverter uses solar optimisers on each panel to deliver improved system performance and has been approved by Tesla Energy for pairing with the Powerwall,” an Origin Energy spokesperson told NITV News.
