BYD review

BYD - Battery Reviews

4.8

Based on 104 ratings

Finn's BYD Batteries Review & Verdict

Finn Peacock has been a Chartered Electrical Engineer since 1998, and is ex-CSIRO

BYD knows how to make a battery. If you have a Fronius hybrid inverter, choosing a BYD home battery is a no-brainer.

BYD Batteries: Pros & Cons

  • Excellent quality as used by Fronius
  • Compatible with many brands of inverter
  • Range of options in high and low voltage
  • High power
  • Scaleable storage which can be increased incrementally
  • Genuinely stackable with automatic plug and play connections
  • Supportive company that has recently made announcements well in advance of discontinuing 10 year old models
  • 50°C Operating temperature limit

About BYD

BYD stands for Build Your Dreams and one of BYD's many dreams is to be the no.1 company for solar battery storage.

This giant Chinese company entered Australia's home battery battleground in 2017 when they introduced the "B-Box".  These days they no longer shorten its name and it's called the "BYD Battery Box".  It's a stackable, modular battery that has one low voltage and two higher voltage versions.

I'll tell you about the battery box below, but first I'll provide some information on BYD.

BYD Company Info

BYD was founded in 1995 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2002.  They say their name stands for "Build Your Dreams" but sometimes I wonder if they just grabbed some letters that hadn't already been taken and decided what they stood for later.

The company started out as a battery manufacturer.  Exploiting cheap Chinese labour allowed them to compete with producers in other countries.  As China's labour costs rose, BYD invested heavily in automation. 

In 2022 BYD was the world's third largest producer of lithium batteries with 12% market share.  At the start of 2022 they had 135 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery production capacity and this was projected to rise to 445GWh by the start of 2024.  In practice, actual battery production is typically around 60% of total capacity but, because they're always rapidly expanding, in 2024 BYD may produce over 300GWh of batteries.  That's over 11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) for every person in Australia. 

BYD began making automobiles in 2002 and is now the world's 10th largest car manufacturer.  This means they took the opposite path to Tesla, which started out as an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer and then moved into solar battery storage.  In the first six months of 2023 they sold 1.25 million EVs and plug-in hybrids.  By October 2023, Tesla and BYD were neck and neck in total sales of pure EVs, with Tesla less than 1% ahead.  BYD looks certain to become the world's largest EV manufacturer.

While not the largest electric bus manufacturer in China, BYD has made something like 200,000 of them.  Mostly in China, but others have been made under licence in a number of countries including Australia.

BYD's headquarters are located in a giant hexagon.  My guess is they looked at the United States Pentagon and decided to go one better.  It's located in Shenzhen - a city on the Chinese mainland opposite Hong Kong.

BYD EV sales have only recently started taking off in Australia, but it may not be long before our roads are chock full of them.

BYD Battery Box Appears Safe

The BYD Battery Box has cells with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.  While this is the safest type of lithium battery, its actual level of safety will depend on its design, the quality of components, and the care taken with its manufacture.  The good news is - so far - BYD Battery Boxes seem safe.  Given BYD has around three decades of experience with lithium batteries, I'd expect them to get this right.

Hybrid Inverter Required

Battery Boxes require a compatible hybrid inverter or battery inverter.  The list of compatible inverters includes Fronius, Goodwe, SMA, Solis, Sungrow, and GE.  Victron and Australian-made Selectronic battery inverters can also be used.

Low & Higher Voltage Versions

There are three versions of the BYD Battery Box:

  • The low voltage Battery Box LVS
  • The higher voltage Battery Box HVS and Battery Box HVM

Low-voltage batteries have thick and heavy cables and need to be located very close to their inverter.  Higher voltage batteries are more flexible with where they can be located.  This is often important due to Australia's strict fire safety standards for battery installation.  

Modular & Stackable

All Battery Boxes consist of modules that can be stacked on top of each other.  The number can vary and this gives flexibility in storage capacity.  The usable energy storage per module and the number that can be used varies between the three different Battery Boxes:  

  • Battery Box LVS:  1-6 4kWh modules for 4-24kWh of storage
  • Battery Box HVS:  2-5 2.56kWh modules for 5.12-12.8kWh of storage
  • Battery Box HVS:  3-8 2.76kWh modules for 8.28-22.08kWh of storage

If more storage is desired multiple modules can be connected in parallel.

Expandable

Unlike some modular batteries, the storage capacity of BYD Battery Boxes can be increased at any time by adding additional modules, provided the maximum number isn't exceeded.  Because they plug into each other when stacked without needing additional wiring, adding extra modules is relatively easy.  Despite this, it's still a good idea to get the amount right from the start.   

Power

The maximum power output of a BYD Battery Box is determined by either its hybrid inverter or by the number of battery modules.  If the inverter's limit is not an issue then the maximum continuous power output will depend on which version of Battery Box is used.  As a percentage of its usable storage capacity, they can provide the following amounts of continuous power in kilowatts (kW):

  • Battery Box LVS - around 60% of usable storage
  • Battery Box HVS - around 78% of usable storage
  • Battery Box HVM - around 72% of usable storage

So a Battery Box HVM with 11kWh of usable storage when new could provide 7.9kW of continuous power. 

Because their continuous power output is better than most, they are sometimes described as "high power" batteries.  This can be useful if you don't want a lot of battery storage capacity but still want it to be able to provide a reasonable amount of backup power.

Backup Power

A Battery Box's hybrid inverter - or battery inverter - determines how its backup power operates.  In most installations, when the grid is down the Battery Box will be able to supply backup power while also being able to charge from rooftop solar during the day.

The time taken to transfer to backup power when there's a blackout also depends on the hybrid inverter.  With a Fronius Gen 24 hybrid inverter it's around 40 seconds, although Fronius says it can take a minute and a half.

Off-Grid Capable

Provided it's paired with a suitable hybrid or battery inverter, BYD Battery Boxes are suitable for use off-grid.

Installation Location

Battery Boxes will normally be located outside due to fire regulations.  They are suitable for outdoor installation but should be placed out of direct rain and sunshine.

Operating Temperature

Their given operating temperature is from -10°C to 50°C.  The upper limit means a shaded Battery Box should continue to operate under all but the most extreme heat conditions.  The lower limit is given as -10°C but the rate at which it charges will be reduced from -10°C to 5°C.  This will rarely be an issue in Australia.  Nearly all lithium batteries also have reduced performance as they approach their maximum operating temperature.  The BYD operating manual does not mention this occurring, but I would be surprised if it doesn't happen. 

Efficiency

Roundtrip efficiency is how much energy a battery system will provide compared to how much is put in.  The lower voltage Battery Box LVS has a roundtrip efficiency of at least 95% while for the higher voltage ones it's at least 96%.  This level of efficiency isn't bad, but not uncommon for modular battery systems.

There will also be some losses from the hybrid inverter.  If a 96% efficient battery is paired with a 97.5% efficient inverter their combined roundtrip efficiency will be 93.6%.

Battery Comparison Table

If you want to compare the three Battery Boxes to each other or other batteries, you can check out our solar battery comparison table.

Warranty

The Battery Box warranty lasts for either 10 years or until it provides an amount of stored energy it refers to as the "Minimum Throughput Energy".  This is equal to around 3,000kWh for every usable kWh of storage when new.  It's a little less for the lower voltage Battery Box and a little more for the higher voltage ones.

If a higher voltage BYD Battery Box discharges an average of its usable storage capacity when new every day, then its warranty will last around 8.3 years.   

If it instead discharges a daily average of 1.5 times its usable storage when new, the warranty will only last around 5.5 years.  This means households that work their battery at high capacity could see their warranty end long before the 10 year maximum is reached. 

If you intend to work your battery hard by charging it during the day with solar for use in the evening followed by charging it with cheap grid electricity late at night for use in the morning, you may be better off choosing a different battery.  An example of one with a warranty that allows greater energy throughput is the Sungrow modular battery.

The Battery Box warranties promise they'll maintain a minimum of 60% of their original capacity for as long as the warranty lasts.  Just note that, depending on how they're used, the warranty can end well before 10 years.

Warranty Claims

If an issue arises with your BYD Battery Box you should first contact your installer.  But if they are no longer around you can contact their Australian service representative, Alps Power, during NSW office hours.

  • Alps Power:  (02) 8005 6688

You can also send them an email at:

The SolarQuotes View

Home batteries are a new and rapidly changing technology.  This makes it difficult to be certain how batteries will perform long term.  This includes ones that have been around longer than most, such as the BYD Battery Box.  But at this time, based on feedback from installers in our network, we are able to recommend the BYD Battery Box and include it on our chart of recommended brands.

In SQ's Installers' Choice Awards 2023 for home batteries, BYD scored silver in both best battery and best value home battery brand categories, and bronze for best support.

If you have a BYD battery system, you are more than welcome to share your thoughts on it with other Australians by leaving a rating and review.

BYD has 10 solar batteries in our database

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Battery Type 
Usable Storage 
Power 
All-In-One unit 
Off-grid capable 
Product Name
Approx Price
Battery Type
Usable Storage Capacity
Power
All-In-One unit
Off-grid capable
BYD Battery Box LVS 4 kWh
$4,090
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
3.84 kWh
3.3kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box LVS 8 kWh
$7,025
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
7.7 kWh
6.6 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box LVS 12 kWh
$9,959
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
11.5 kWh
9.9 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVS 5.12
$6,000
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
5.12 kWh
5 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVS 7.7
$8,400
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
7.68 kWh
5 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVS 10.2
$11,000
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
10.24 kWh
5 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVS 12.8
$13,500
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
12.8 kWh
5 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVM 8.3
$8,500
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
8.28 kWh
7.6 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVM 11.0
$10,500
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
11.04 kWh
7.6 kW
No
Yes
BYD Battery Box Premium HVM 13.8
$12,500
Lithium-ion (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
13.80 kWh
7.6 kW
No
Yes

 

BYD Reviews (104)

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  • 5 star 92
  • 4 star 10
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Initially we had 1 x BYD HVM stack of 4 x 2.76kWh Batteries Installed. Four months after our initial installation we increased our battery storage by purchasing an additional stack of 4 meaning that we now have 8 x 2.76kWh batteries storing the power that we generate. We also now have the ability to purchase and store more batteries if we choose without the added expense of a storage box. I couldn't be happier with our purchases. My intention was to substantially reduce or totally knock out or Electricity Bill so that I could retire from the Workforce without stressing about the ever increasing cost of Electricity. I did exactly that at 68 years of age.

Installed By

So far the BYD HVM 11.04kw battery has been working with the Fronius inverter without any issues.This is the only battery brand that works with the Fronius Gen24 but I am happy with the performance and modular design. The battery meets all my needs overnight and on backup for periods of hours. However, I do not run air conditioning and I have a separate solar hot water system.

Panel Brand

REC solar panel review

Installed By

It's a good sized system - 22.8kWh BYD that is full by midday. It powers our house no worries overnight, with around 30% left in the morning. We've had the air con on a couple of times but not for that long. We have a few things to adjust on the air conditioning because we have no thermostat system properly set up on it yet, but once we do, I've no doubt the battery will handle it completely.

The battery is full by midday, so when I get my new car, I'll plug it in and recharge it - it's bloody wonderful.

Panel Brand

REC solar panel review

Installed By

BYD HVM 11 kWH Battery

Charges everyday by mid day and discharges after the sun goes down.
On days where we don't use the air conditioner it lasts until the next morning

Our A/C is ducted Actron ESP that is the largest single phase model they make.
It draws 5kW peak and modulates the compressor to run effeiciently.

On very hot days when we run it, the battery carries us through the peak energy period and runs out around 9-10pm

We also have a Fronius Ohmpilot solar diverter to heat the hot water using excess solar
It is excellent also heating our 250 l storage hot water tank.

Too early to tell reliability but so far so good.

Panel Brand

REC solar panel review

Installed By

For our use case this works very well. Great to have, however doubled the cost of the solar install. Using the battery has allowed use to use about 80% of the power we generate.

Manufacturer Reply

Thanks for your kind words Andre! The battery is definitely a worthwhile long-term investment.

-- Leo BYD Battery-Box Australia


Panel Brand

Trina solar panel review

Installed By

Installed By

So far so good we are pushing power back to the grid and suppllying our homes needs with a reserve amount in the event of a power outage.

I like the ability to add to the battery at a later date, it is small compact in its location

The Fronius app is very useful and easy to use to monitor outpu and consumption.

It is likely we will increase battery size in a few months to ensure adequate battery back up in the event of an outage in the winter.

Installed By

The battery is a slim line modular solution barely noticeable in the garage with
ample expansion capacity.

Panel Brand

REC solar panel review

Installed By

Installed By

Too early for longevity assessments, but I'm very happy with the design. Great Functionality and Smart Looks with Flexibility. We deliberately oversized the battery -11kWHrs. But seeing as our usual consumption is about 7kWhrs per day, we only want to use about half the capacity for a longer life.

Panel Brand

Trina solar panel review

Installed By

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These batteries are only IP55 rated, which we were aware of before requesting them installed outside. Not shown in the photos is the enclosure built over the battery and inverter to protect if from sun and rain

Installed By

Installed By

The BYD HVS 5.1 Battery was recommended by Expert Electrical is performing to expectations as part of the "Hybrid" system chosen. Modular construction means we can add extra "packs/blocks" if we choose to.

Installed By

Works well as advertised.

Installed By

Installed By

They are big boxes but look neat and tidy. Able to supply 5 Kw from battery. Batteries are not quite fully charging in very wet weather but easily charge on sunny days.

Panel Brand

LG solar panel review

Installed By

great battery, easy install and great for expandability.

Panel Brand

Trina solar panel review

Installed By

so far so good. Pair's great with the inverter and system charges exceptionally quickly.

Panel Brand

Trina solar panel review

Installed By

Working very good, will be adding another as rebate just came in.

Panel Brand

Jinko Solar solar panel review

Installed By

The battery supplies power overnight without running empty. This may change when we upgrade our heating/cooling system. We kept running on a day when the grid went down for 5 hours.

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Jinko Solar solar panel review

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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Battery also match with my BYD Atto 3 EV which I was stoked about

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Trina solar panel review

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JA Solar solar panel review

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Go Green Energy for this review. Learn more here.

I sized the battery based on measured demand. It works extremely well. In the two years we've been running, we've basically used no grid electricity.

Panel Brand

Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

Installed By

I have an 11.04 kWh system

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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Panel Brand

REC solar panel review

Installed By

Installed By

We chose the BYD battery as Louis explained was compatible with our Fronius inverter, this ia s stackable tpe that is easily expandable we chose a 13.8kW system as recommended and suitable for our 6.6kW solar system.

Battery only installed by Positive Energy Nov 2023

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

Installed By

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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Very solid build, capable to power entire house during night time and in case of blackouts.
Even can run 14kW air con for some time without drawing power from the grid.

Panel Brand

Jinko Solar solar panel review

Installed By

We had 5 battery units installed and this runs the house from sunset through to sun rise and drops down to 30% and is fully charged before 12 noon. Interesting to see the performance during winter.

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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JA Solar solar panel review

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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Really happy I went with a modular system in case we decide we need to expand on it in the future. Surprisingly, due to having two systems feeding into it, we are getting up to full charge during the winter, typically getting down to roughly 50-60% overnight (though there has been once or twice where we've had to run the dryer where it has gone lower). With 13.5kW of solar, most days we are back up to full charge by 11.30ish

Panel Brand

Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

Installed By

An incentive was offered by Expert Electrical for this review. Learn more here.

Had some issues with the batteries not long after the instal, they reset them remotely and haven't had any issues since.

Panel Brand

Hyundai Solar solar panel review

Installed By

So far so good..

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Canadian Solar Inc solar panel review

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