48V Lithium Batteries

48V lithium batteries are the standard format for domestic energy storage, whether for self-consumption with grid connection or in off-grid installations. Operating at 48 volts reduces the current to a quarter of that of a 12 V system, which means thinner cables, fewer losses and the possibility of installing 20 kWh battery banks without the system becoming unmanageable.

How much capacity do I need?
The rule of thumb for homes connected to the grid is to cover night-time consumption, which is usually 35–45 % of the daily total. A home using 10 kWh/day requires around 4–5 kWh of usable energy; one using 20 kWh/day requires between 8 and 10 kWh.
As 48V lithium batteries are sold in modules ranging from 2.4 to 5.12 kWh and are stacked, sizing the system is straightforward: you start with a capacity that covers your night-time consumption and expand later by adding modules. In off-grid installations, the approach changes: in such cases, it is advisable to oversize the system to last for two or three days without sunlight.

Price of a 48V lithium battery
The price is always quoted per kWh of capacity, never per unit. A 5 kWh rack-mounted module currently costs around €140–190 per kWh, depending on the brand and battery chemistry, and this price range already includes the integrated BMS.
What really determines the cost over ten years is not the purchase price but the guaranteed cycle life. A battery with 6,000 cycles at a 90% discharge depth of discharge works out cheaper per kWh delivered than one that is 20% cheaper but has only 3,000 cycles, even if the initial price suggests otherwise.

Which brands do we stock?
Pylontech: the benchmark for value for money. The US2000C, US3000C and US5000 modules are stacked in rack cabinet and are the de facto standard in Victron installations.
Pytes: a direct alternative to Pylontech offering better power performance and good integration. We have published the Comparison of the Pytes V5 and the Pylontech US5000 using real data.
Victron: the 51.2 V NG series, for those who want the entire system from a single manufacturer and maximum integration.
If you’re looking for higher voltage for large installations, have a look at the high-voltage batteries by BYD.

Compatibility with your inverter
This is the point where most installations go wrong. A 48V lithium battery must communicate with the inverter via CAN or RS485 so that the inverter can determine the actual state of charge and adjust the voltages. Without communication, it will still function, but in degraded mode and with a loss of usable capacity.
All the 48V batteries we supply are compatible with Victron’s DVCC protocol and have been validated with the 48V MultiPlus-II and Quattro. To manage and monitor the system, you will need a Cerbo GX.
Before you buy, tell us which inverter you have or are considering, and we’ll check that it’s compatible. It’s free and helps you avoid the most costly problem with a storage installation. Please contact us.