If you’re considering battery storage for your home, you’ve probably come across the Sigenergy SigenStor. It’s being marketed as a powerful, modular, and scalable battery system, but is it all it claims to be?
At PSC, we understand how crucial it is to find the right solar battery. The right battery will bring long-term savings and peace of mind that comes with reliability. SigenStor has a lot of advantages, but without understanding this battery’s shortcomings, you can’t make an informed decision.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- Overview of the Sigenergy SigenStor Solar Panel and Battery System
- Common Problems with the Sigenergy SigenStor Solar Panel and Battery System
- Potential Solutions and Workarounds for the Sigenergy SigenStor Energy System
- SigenStor vs. Powerwall vs. IQ Battery Comparison Chart
By the end of this article, you’ll know the problems with the SigenStor and whether it’s right for you.
Overview of the Sigenergy SigenStor Solar Panel and Battery System
The Sigenergy SigenStor is a modular energy system that combines solar panels, inverter, and battery storage in a single system.
It can expand in storage size and stack additional battery modules on top of each other. They work like Lego toy building blocks.
Designed for both residential and commercial use, it offers single-phase and three-phase backup options. It appears to be a flexible and powerful option on paper, but does it live up to its promises?
Key Features of the SigenStor Energy System
Modular & Scalable Design:
- Available in 8kWh stackable battery units.
- Supports a range of storage capacities up to 48kWh, allowing expansion as energy needs grow.
- There’s no limit to how many 48kWh stacks you can combine together. Most homes won’t need that much storage, but some businesses do.
Integrated Hybrid Inverter:
- Responsible for converting the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that the home can use.
- Reduces the need for separate external inverters, simplifying installation.
Backup Power Capability:
- Supports both single-phase and true three-phase backup.
- True, full-home, three-phase backup provides a unique advantage over some competitors. Not every battery can back up three phases.
Connectivity & Monitoring:
- Remote monitoring and control via the mySigen App.
- AI-powered energy management system (featuring Chat GPT-4) that can manage your system for you with minimal direction. It’s a great tool for those who are new to solar.
Installation Flexibility:
- Compatible with various home and commercial solar setups.
- Works with both grid-tied and off-grid applications. SigenStor can be entirely disconnected from the grid and still operate independently for your home.
Durability & Build Quality:
- Metal casing for improved longevity.
- Designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about SigenStor, we recommend you check out the following article titled, Sigenergy SigenStor Review.
Common Problems with the Sigenergy SigenStor Solar Panel and Battery System
1. Internet Connectivity Issues
One of the key requirements when choosing a smart battery is internet connectivity. Reliable internet access is essential for optimal battery performance, remote monitoring, and warranty support.
Unlike Tesla Powerwall and Enphase batteries, which come with built-in 4G SIM cards, SigenStor does not. This is the biggest problem with SigenStor energy systems.
Unfortunately, the SigenStor system relies on a stable home internet connection for optimal performance. This is not unusual for solar batteries.
If you have WIFI in your home, ignore this problem. It will be non-existent for you.
This next part is only for folks who don’t have home internet.
When you have no home WIFI:
- An external dongle and a two-year data plan must be purchased, costing around $250.
- If you don’t renew the dongle subscription for two years, connectivity may be lost, impacting the system’s reliability.
This can be a major inconvenience for homeowners in remote areas or those who may forget to perform periodic connectivity checks.
- If a SigenStor battery loses internet connectivity for more than 90 days, it will shut off.
- Only a brief hotspot connection (a few hours) is required to upload data and restore functionality. But you need to remember to connect the battery every 90 days.
- The warranty will not be voided, but the battery will be unusable until you connect it again.
Customers who go on extended holidays or forget to perform the hotspot upload may experience battery shutoff.
Additionally, homeowners in remote areas or those without reliable home internet should carefully consider this factor before choosing SigenStor.
2. Performance and Reliability Concerns
Because the SigenStor is new and its manufacturer, Sigenergy, is also new, there are potential growing pains customers might need to endure.
Fortunately, the company has offices in Australia, which is helpful for warranty claims.
But there are other potential problems that may or may not pop up:
- Software Bugs: As a relatively new system, software updates and remote monitoring reliability may become inconsistent.
- Warranty Process: As a new company with a new product, service turnaround times for repairs and replacements remain largely untested. This could add downtime to the system if it malfunctions.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the benefits of solar batteries, you might want to start with the following article titled, 7 Benefits of Adding a Battery to Your Solar System.
Ready to go solar? Click here.
Potential Solutions and Workarounds for the Sigenergy SigenStor Energy System
The real-world impact of these issues are:
- Higher Costs: Being reliant on the internet means additional expenses for maintaining connect. We’re talking about purchasing and renewing external dongles.
- Unexpected Downtime: If the system shuts off due to losing the internet connection, users may face long periods without backup power.
- Frustration and Inconvenience: Managing connectivity issues, software bugs, and failures can be a hassle for homeowners who expect seamless operation from their energy storage system.
Can these issues be fixed?
Yes!
- Connectivity Fixes: Regular manual checks and scheduled hotspot connections can help maintain functionality.
- Battery Optimisation: Regular firmware updates and monitoring may improve efficiency over time. Stay on top of making sure your system is up to date.
- Long-term Reliability: More user data and feedback over the coming years will reveal how well these systems hold up compared to more established competitors. The manufacturer acquires this data through the internet, which is why connectivity is so important.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the solar battery rebate, you might want to check out the following article titled, Everything You Need to Know About the Home Battery Rebate for NSW.
SigenStor vs. Powerwall vs. IQ Battery Comparison Chart
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the SigenStor System?
Now you know a bit more about the Sigenergy SigenStor’s potential problems. We know there aren’t many, but it’s important to keep this product’s limitations when considering a purchase.
At PSC, we believe in helping homeowners make informed decisions about their energy systems. If you’re considering battery storage, be sure to evaluate your unique needs carefully and choose a system that aligns with your long-term energy goals. We’ll be here for you when you’re ready. It’s what we do.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about the cost of SigenStor, we recommend you check out the following article titled, How Much Does the Sigenergy SigenStor Cost?
