Introduction to sonnen Batteries

Established in Germany by Christoph Ostermann and Torsten Stiefenhofer in 2010, sonnen is known internationally for its premium energy storage solutions, including Europe’s best-selling battery system, the sonnenBatterie. sonnen products – including the sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53 – are exceptionally popular in Europe and uptake has rapidly increased in other markets, including Australia.  

sonnen batteries are primarily manufactured in Wildpoldsried, Germany. To build systems for the US market, a second production plant was established in San José in 2015 and in 2018, sonnen opened a third plant in the historic ‘Holden Plant’ located in Elizabeth, South Australia. Your sonnenBatterie is proudly engineered in Germany. 

Just as the number of people using sonnen products to move closer towards energy independence is growing by the day, so too is the company. In 2016, sonnen employed 200 people – in 2023, the energy storage solutions provider now employs over a thousand people worldwide, including over 40 in Australia, and that number is still growing. Shell’s acquisition of sonnen in 2019 has seen the company continue to grow its share of the home battery market and deliver its innovative energy storage solutions to more Australians seeking reliable, affordable and cleaner energy.  

For those intrigued by the prospect of integrating sonnen’s innovative energy storage solutions into their homes, consider exploring the option further with FREE solar quotes from Energy Matters, fostering a seamless connection between sustainable power and advanced storage technology.

Introduction to sonnen Batteries

Established in Germany by Christoph Ostermann and Torsten Stiefenhofer in 2010, sonnen is known internationally for its premium energy storage solutions, including Europe’s best-selling battery system, the sonnenBatterie. sonnen products – including the sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53 – are exceptionally popular in Europe and uptake has rapidly increased in other markets, including Australia.  

sonnen batteries are primarily manufactured in Wildpoldsried, Germany. To build systems for the US market, a second production plant was established in San José in 2015 and in 2018, sonnen opened a third plant in the historic ‘Holden Plant’ located in Elizabeth, South Australia. Your sonnenBatterie is proudly engineered in Germany. 

Just as the number of people using sonnen products to move closer towards energy independence is growing by the day, so too is the company. In 2016, sonnen employed 200 people – in 2023, the energy storage solutions provider now employs over a thousand people worldwide, including over 40 in Australia, and that number is still growing. Shell’s acquisition of sonnen in 2019 has seen the company continue to grow its share of the home battery market and deliver its innovative energy storage solutions to more Australians seeking reliable, affordable and cleaner energy.  

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sonnenConnect

With their sonnenConnect offering, sonnen rewards their customers for the clean energy they contribute to the grid. When you sign up for sonnenConnect, you become part of the sonnenCommunity that’s helping to stabilise the grid and build a stronger energy future. What’s more, by signing up for this offer and making your sonnenBatterie available to sonnen, you can earn up to $15 each month with daily rewards starting from $0.50 per day. There are no exit fees or lock-in contracts and you can stay with your energy retailer if you’re happy with the feed-in tariff you’re currently receiving.

T
o be eligible, your sonnenBatterie must have a capacity of 4kWh or greater and be connected to the National Electricity Market (ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS or VIC), and your current energy plan isn’t part of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). As sonnenFlat customers are already participating in the sonnen VPP, it isn’t possible to have both sonnenFlat and sonnenConnect.  

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What is a sonnen battery and how do sonnen batteries work?

At its core, the sonnenBatterie is a home energy storage solution that combines safe and long-lasting Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery modules with intelligent energy management software and a power inverter. As a fully-integrated solution, the three components are designed to work together and deliver a high-quality product that adapts to your household’s consumption patterns. The sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53 is available in a range of sizes, and with a modular design, it allows for additional battery modules of up to 15 kWh to be added by your solar installer to match your household’s increased energy needs.  
 
sonnenBatteries are designed to deliver a lifespan of over 10,000 charging cycles, which equates to around 20 years of use, and is significantly longer than many other home solar batteries, including the Tesla Powerwall. Along with its market-leading lifespan, another key feature of the sonnenBatterie is its ability to integrate with a wide range of solar inverters, enabling it to be easily added to an existing rooftop solar panel system, regardless of the brand of the inverter being used. This compatibility is a major advantage for homeowners looking to install a battery storage system without having to replace their entire solar panel setup.  
 
Another major advantage of the sonnenBatterie over other home solar batteries on the market is its smart energy management capabilities. The battery is equipped with an intelligent energy management system that automatically adjusts its charging and discharging based on a homeowner’s energy usage patterns. This means it can be optimised to store energy during times of low usage and discharge during times of high usage, helping to maximise the amount of solar energy used and reduce overall electricity costs.

The sonnenBatterie also comes with a range of monitoring and control features. Homeowners can use the sonnen smartphone app to monitor their battery’s status and energy usage in real-time, making it easy to track the performance of their home solar system and identify areas for improvement. And as the battery can be controlled remotely, homeowners can adjust its settings and energy usage patterns anywhere in the world. 

sonnenBatterie Evo

sonnen battery installation

As improper installation can result in personal injury and/or damage to components, sonnen batteries must only be installed and commissioned by the Clean Energy Council and sonnen Accredited Installers who hold a current unrestricted electrical licence. Along with ensuring the battery is installed safely, this ensures the installation complies with local regulations and the battery will function effectively for many years to come.  
 
To ensure the highest installation standards, sonnen certified electricians must meet specific criteria, including holding valid sonnen installer accreditation at the time of installation which requires successful completion of the sonnen Australia installer training. Further information on sonnen installer training and requirements can be found here 

sonnen Battery products

sonnenBatterie Evo

sonnenBatterie Evo profile

  • Fully integrated AC-coupled solar power battery storage with an IP56 outdoor rating 
  • Can be installed both outdoors or indoors and complies with the AS/NZS 5139 standard 
  • Backup solar power – included with 5kW continuous and 7kW surge capacity 
  • It has two fully usable 5.0kWh battery modules to deliver 10kWh of usable solar energy storage capacity 
  • Contains a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery cell 
sonnen evo
sonnenbatterie hybrid

sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53

sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53 profile

  • Max Battery Efficiency – 98% 
  • Uses lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells 
  • 10-year or 10,000 charges cycle warranty  
  • Modular battery capacity. Expandable from 2.5kWh to 15kW 

Why choose sonnen over other brands?

While there are more options available than ever on the Australian market, sonnen continues to stand out as a leading brand for premium residential energy storage systems. Choosing a sonnenBatterie can provide homeowners with peace of mind, cost savings on electricity bills, and a positive impact on the environment by promoting the use of renewable energy sources. By installing a sonnen battery that enables the generation of cleaner energy from a rooftop solar system for use day or night, Australians also minimise exposure to rising electricity prices and move closer towards energy independence. But what sets sonnenBatterie apart from other brands in Australia?  

sonnen reliability icon

Reliable and proven technology

In Australia and internationally, sonnen has a proven track record of producing reliable and innovative energy storage technology. Having been at the forefront of the residential energy storage market for over a decade and with a proven track record of performance in Australia, sonnen has established a strong reputation for its high-quality, durable and efficient battery systems. With over 90,000 sonnenBatteries installed globally, including over 5,000 thousand installations in Australia, sonnen has established a strong local presence, with the sonnenBatterie 9.53 and sonnenBatterie Evo receiving positive reviews from homeowners with first-hand experience of the many benefits that sonnen energy storage systems deliver. This proven performance has earned sonnen a reputation as a reliable and trusted brand in Australia.

Market-leading lifespan and warranties

With minimal maintenance requirements and a lifespan of over 10,000 charging cycles (around 20 years of use) designed into the battery’s structure, homeowners are provided with a reliable home energy storage solution backed by warranties that provide peace of mind. sonnen batteries are designed and built to last, qualities reflected in the market-leading warranties sonnen provides with its energy storage solutions – both the sonnenBatterie hybrid 9.53 and sonnenBatterie Evo are backed by a 10-year full warranty on all components.
 
As a sonnen battery owner, this means your investment is protected for 10 years or 10,000 cycles, whichever comes first. You can find further warranty details and technical information about sonnen products here 

sonnen energy management icon

Advanced energy management system

One of the key differentiators that sonnen delivers with its residential energy storage solutions is its advanced energy management system. sonnen’s intelligent energy management software optimises energy usage and storage, empowering homeowners to effectively manage their energy consumption and reduce their reliance on increasingly expensive grid electricity. And to provide monitoring control and visibility at a touch of a button from anywhere, at any time, homeowners can control and track energy usage and battery performance in realtime via the sonnen app. This exceptional level of control and visibility over energy usage appeals to homeowners who understand the vital role that effective energy management plays in reducing electricity bills.

sonnen integration icon

Seamless integration with solar panels and inverters

Another benefit to the sonnenBatterie that appeals to Australian homeowners with existing rooftop solar systems is the seamless integration of these premium home batteries with solar panels and inverters. Not only does sonnen offer a range of battery sizes to suit a diverse range of household energy needs, but sonnen batteries are also compatible with a wide variety of solar panel, inverter brands and configurations. This flexibility allows homeowners to create and customise a complete solar-plus-storage solution based on their specific requirements, making the sonnenBatterie a versatile choice for residential energy storage.

Sonnen’s Awards

sonnen battery award
MARCH 2022 EuPD Research "Top Brand PV Storage" DACH 2021

In 2021, sonnen was once again one of the top PV brands in the “storage technology” category. The award is presented annually by the market research firm EuPD Research and is based on a survey of solar installers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Both the products offered and the purchasing process are assessed based on brand awareness, customer choice, and distribution. 

sonnen battery award-German Sustainability Award Design 2021
JANUARY 2021 German Sustainability Award Design 2021

sonnen was awarded the German Sustainability Award Design 2021 under the category “Pioneer.” The award recognises exemplary examples of sustainable design in the categories Icons, Pioneers, and Visions of the Future. The winning products are characterised by impressive diversity and innovation. 

Australia Export Awards 2019
DECEMBER 2019 Australia Export Awards

The Export Award for Research and Development Investment honours sonnen’s achievement as a remarkable exporter and investor. 

sonnen battery award-brand eins
FEBRUARY 2019 brand eins "Innovator of the Year" 2019

The business magazine ‘brand eins’ and Statista placed sonnen among the most innovative energy companies in Germany. In the “Energy and Environment” category, sonnen was the only entrant to receive the highest rating among companies with 250 to 1,000 employees. 

Some of the many accolades the company has received in recent years include:

  • Zayed Future Energy Prize SME Category, 2017
  • Global Cleantech 100 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award 2015, 2016
  • MIT Technology Review “50 Smartest Companies 2016”
  • Greentech Media’s 2016 Grid Edge Award For Innovation
  • Cleantech’s 2015 Company of the Year Award
  • German Sustainability Award Design Pioneer Category, January 2021
  • brand eins “Innovator of the Year” 2019 Energy and Environment Category
  • EuPD Research “Top Brand PV Storage” DACH 2021 Storage technology Category

sonnen: solid company, well-resourced

sonnen is a leading manufacturer of smart residential storage systems and a pioneer of technologies for a clean, decentralised and connected energy system. Following an initial investment in 2018, Shell acquired 100% of sonnen in 2019, making the smart energy storage solutions provider a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell.  

Learn more about sonnen in our interview with sonnen’s Managing Director, Philipp Schröder.

Residential Customers

Get a quick quote on a German-made sonnen battery for a retrofit installation or as part of a full solar package!

Commercial Customers

Energy Matters offers sonnen battery systems as an option in our commercial energy storage solutions.

Wholesale Customers

Sonnen products are available via Energy Matters’ wholesale distribution arm at competitive pricing.

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