Electriq PowerPod 2 solar battery: complete review

Electriq Power is a battery storage company located in San Leandro, California. Since its inception in 2014, the company has released two home energy storage systems: the Powerpod and the PowerPod 2.

Electriq’s newest residential solar battery, the PowerPod 2, was released in November 2020. This new battery has four operating modes, comes in three different sizes, and uses cobalt-free chemistry, allowing homeowners to have a safe solar battery choice without sacrificing any features. 

In this article, we’ll dive into what the PowerPod 2 is, what kind of features it offers, how long it will last, and if it’s the right battery for your home.

What is the Electriq PowerPod 2?

The Electriq PowerPod 2 is a rechargeable home solar battery and energy management system. The PowerPod 2 is designed to pair with solar panels for daily residential use, but it can also serve as a standalone backup battery that charges from the grid. 

Each PowerPod 2 installation has three main components:

• Battery

• Electriq inverter

• Electriq PowerHub

Each PowerPod 2 consists of separate battery packs, which are stored in the white PowerPod 2 cabinet. Each of the battery packs is 2.56 kWh in size and the number of battery packs within each cabinet depends on which battery size you choose. For example, the 10 kWh PowerPod 2 contains four separate battery packs, while the 15 kWh PowerPod 2 will have six battery packs.

For the PowerPod 2 to operate properly, it must have access to a reliable internet connection. It can operate during temporary outages, but Electriq states that the PowerPod 2 should not be installed somewhere that does not have an internet connection. 

How much does the Electriq PowerPod 2 cost?

Based on information on Electriq’s website, the PowerPod 2 will likely cost you somewhere between $15,000 and $23,000, before the federal tax credit, depending on the size.

Capacity	Estimated price	Estimated price after tax credit
10 kWh	$15,000	$10,500
15 kWh	$20,000	$14,000
20 kWh	$23,000	$16,100

Depending on where you live, there may be additional battery storage incentives available that lower the cost of installing an Electriq PowerPod 2 system even further!

Technical specs of the Electriq PowerPod 2

Let’s break down some of the technical aspects of the PowerPod 2.

Model	PowerPod 2 - DC coupled	PowerPod 2 - AC coupled, 10 kWh
Usable capacity	10 - 20 kWh	10 - 20 kWh
Power rating (continuous)	5.1 - 7.6 kW	5.1 - 7.6 kW
Round-trip efficiency	96.6%	96.6%
Depth of discharge	Not listed	Not listed
Dimensions	27.5” x 50” x 9”	27.5” x 50” x 9”
Weight	530 - 925 lbs	530 - 925 lbs
Chemistry	Lithium iron phosphate	Lithium iron phosphate

AC vs DC-coupled models 

The PowerPod 2 comes in two different models: an AC-coupled version and a DC-coupled version. 

AC-coupled version 

This version can be easily installed with an already-existing solar system. However, using the AC-coupled battery will decrease the efficiency of your solar-plus-storage system overall, because the electricity your solar panels produce will be converted three separate times. 

DC-coupled version 

This version is best for new solar panel installations. With the DC-coupled PowerPod 2, the electricity your solar panels generate will only be converted from DC power to AC power once, making the system more efficient. It also requires fewer parts. 

Usable capacity 

The PowerPod 2 comes in three different sizes: 10 kWh, 15 kWh, and 20 kWh. By offering multiple sizes, Electriq makes it easy for customers to customize their storage system so they don’t pay too much for storage they don’t need. 

This also gives homeowners flexibility with their budgets. They have a variety of options, and thus, a variety of price points to choose from.

The 10 kWh battery can provide about 8 hours of backup power, while the 20 kWh can keep your lights on for 16 hours. How long the Electriq PowerPod 2 will last in a power outage depends on the appliances you’re running, so only use those estimates as a guide. 

Power rating 

The power rating of a battery tells you how many appliances the battery will be able to run. 

The PowerPod 2 is on the higher end of continuous power ratings, so it can run a decent amount of devices.

Round-trip efficiency 

The efficiency of a battery tells you how much of the energy it can use, compared to the amount of energy it took to store that energy. 

The PowerPod 2’s 96.6% round-trip efficiency means that for every 10 kWh of solar energy sent to the battery, you’ll be able to use about 9.6 kWh of it. That’s pretty impressive when compared to other leading solar batteries on the market. The LG Chem RESU, for example, has an efficiency of 94.5%, and the Tesla Powerwall clocks in at 90%. 

Depth of discharge 

Normally, we recommend homeowners look for the depth of discharge listed on a battery spec sheet. The DoD gives you an idea of how long the battery will last and how much stored power you actually get to use. 

However, Electriq doesn’t list a DoD rating. 

Size 

The PowerPod 2 is pretty large - especially the 15 kWh and 20 kWh AC-coupled models. This means you have to have a decent amount of space available if you want to install one. Luckily, the PowerPod 2 is outdoor-rated, so it can be installed outdoors if need be. 

Their large size is due in part because of the battery’s chemistry. 

Chemistry 

The size of the battery is not the only thing influenced by the PowerPod 2’s lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry. 

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are a type of lithium-ion battery. Unlike many lithium-ion solar batteries, LFP batteries don’t contain cobalt. This means LFP batteries produce less hazardous waste when being manufactured and are more easily recycled. 

Learn more: What are the different types of solar batteries?

Not only that, LFP batteries are more stable at higher temperatures, so they are less likely to experience thermal runaway - AKA catching on fire. This makes LFP batteries, like the PowerPod 2, safer than some other home battery options.

PowerPod 2 operating modes and energy management

Electriq offers four different operating modes for the PowerPod 2: 

• Backup Mode, where the PowerPod keeps the battery charged by solar power in case of a grid power outage

• Self Supply Mode, where the PowerPod prioritizes powering your home with solar and battery power, and excess solar energy is used to power your battery instead of being sent to the grid

• Time of Use Mode, where the battery supplies power to your home during times when electric rates are highest

• Custom Mode, which allows you to set a charge and discharge schedule to fit your lifestyle; this is only available for AC-coupled batteries

These operating modes ensure that you get exactly what you want out of your battery. Trying to save money on your Time of Use electric bill? Time of Use Mode is a great choice. Does your utility have frequent blackouts and you want emergency backup power? Backup Mode has you covered.

The PowerPod 2 can be completely monitored and controlled from your smartphone using the Electriq Power App, or online. You can see where the energy in your house is flowing, as well as your day-to-day energy patterns, get reports on your usage, and change the operating mode of your system. 

What is the warranty for the PowerPod 2?

The PowerPod 2 performance warranty is for each battery pack. So, each 2.56 kWh pack will operate at 70% of its initial capacity after 10 years, or after the battery pack has provided 7.5 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, whichever comes first. 

Because the PowerPod 2 is made of multiple batteries, the actual throughput will be higher. For example, you can expect the 10 kWh PowerPod 2 to have a capacity of about 7.2 kWh after 10 years, or after 30 MWh of electricity has been released. 

If you’re using your battery to power your home daily, you’ll likely pass that MWh threshold before 10 years. To reach the 10-year mark first, you would only be able to release an average of 8.2 kWh of electricity each day from the 10 kWh PowerPod 2. 

Electriq also includes a 10-year manufacturer defect warranty that ensures the PowerPod 2 battery cabinet, battery packs, inverter, and PowerHub system will be free from manufacturing defects for 10 years. 

The power warranty for the PowerPod 2 falls in line with industry standards. But, you can find some batteries with better warranties like the sonnenCore LFP battery, which allows for 58.8 MWh of power to be released from the battery.

Can you go off-grid with the PowerPod 2?

Yes, you can go off-grid with the PowerPod 2. The battery can be charged with solar and can also be paired with a generator if necessary. 

However, the PowerPod 2 does require internet access to operate properly and for the warranty to be valid. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for a solar battery to serve your off-grid needs.

Is the PowerPod 2 the right solar battery for your home?

The PowerPod 2 is a great solar battery for your home. The variety of sizes and the freedom to choose between AC and DC models ensure that you get the battery that best suits your needs.

The most impressive feature of the PowerPod 2 is the four operating modes. The ability to monitor and customize how your battery is operating helps you guarantee that you get the most out of your battery.

The biggest downside to the PowerPod 2 is the performance warranty, but it still falls in line with industry standards, so it’s not a deal breaker. It is a bit on the pricey side though; you can find 10 kWh batteries from larger brands that cost a couple thousand dollars less than the PowerPod 2.

Overall, the PowerPod 2 is a great battery with impressive features and technical specifications. The variety in models and sizes allows you to better customize what works best for your home, which can’t be said for other batteries like the Tesla Powerwall or sonnenCore. Plus, the lithium iron phosphate chemistry is safer than the Powerall or LG RESU that contain cobalt, giving you peace of mind, without having to sacrifice performance or capabilities.

All of this makes it worthwhile to at least get a quote directly from Electriq or from a local installer in your area that offers the PowerPod 2.