- Lidl launches new solar battery designed for use with balcony solar systems
- It costs €299 in Germany (around $350 / £260 / AU$485)
- It has an input of 1,000W and an output of 800W.
You may have noticed that we are in the midst of an energy crisis, with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran driving prices up to levels that are increasingly unaffordable for many and undesirable for all. Many of us will be looking for ways to cut costs, and Lidl has just launched a possible solution, at least for those in Europe.
As reported by PV Magazine, Lidl has launched a 2.24kWh balcony battery in Germany, with 1,000W input and 800W output. It’s compatible with most balcony solar systems, so you can use solar energy to charge it, and there’s even a version that can be controlled via an app.
The battery retails for €299 (around $350 / £260 / AU$485), or €399 (around $465 / £345 / AU$650) if you want a version you can control via the Lidl Home app. While it’s currently limited to Europe, there’s always the chance it could be released more widely (including in UK Lidl stores) if it’s a success.
Given the current energy crisis and regulations in the pipeline, there is a good chance that will be the case. If you have or are considering investing in a solar power system for your balcony, then this battery could be a good option to pair with it.
However, it’s worth noting that the battery doesn’t actually do anything on its own: it’s designed to be part of a system. You’ll need solar panels, which plug into the side, and also a microinverter, which sends charge to and from your home. Still, add those parts and you can store the power generated during the day for use in the evening or morning, and also use it as a backup if your power supply ever goes out.
It is not the only option
The battery measures 310 × 170 × 350 mm and weighs around 19.8 kg, making it suitable for small spaces such as balconies. In theory, it should also have an IP65 rating to withstand rain (that’s the case with the Marstek B2500-D on which it’s based, at least) and it also has an LED display and comes with an extension cable for solar panels.
As mentioned above, the panels themselves are not included, but we already know that Lidl plans to start selling plug-in solar panels in the UK, or you could source them elsewhere.
In any case, the battery has received very positive comments on Reddit, including “amazing price”, “I want one” and “this makes me very optimistic about the future of our energy independence.”
Still, if Lidl doesn’t bring it to your region, there are alternative options, including the Marstek B2500-D, which is believed to be a rebranded version, or the incoming Anker Solarbank 4 Pro (which has a built-in inverter and much larger capacity). Like most things at Lidl, its solar battery is cheaper than many of its rivals, although not as feature-rich.
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