Buying Guide & Costs for PV Storage (2025)

Photovoltaic storage (PV storage) is becoming increasingly attractive for homeowners – they increase the self-consumption of solar power and make you more independent from rising electricity prices. But what does a PV storage system currently cost? When is the purchase worthwhile? And which PV storage system is the best for your needs? In this guide, we will address these questions and provide you with a buying guide including current prices (as of 2024–2025) as well as examples of well-known brands such as Zendure, Anker SOLIX, and Pylontech. In the second part, we compare some of the best PV storage models in a table with their specifications, prices, and typical areas of application.

(In brief: A PV storage system for a single-family home in 2025 costs approximately €1,500–€5,000 depending on capacity, which corresponds to about €380–€460 per kWh. A storage system can double self-consumption – so it is usually worthwhile, as feed-in tariffs are low and grid electricity prices are high.)

What does a PV storage system cost?

Summary: Prices for PV battery storage systems have fallen sharply in recent years. In 2024, they are around €400 to €800 per kWh of capacity – which is only about half the price of 2021. Larger storage systems are cheaper per kWh than smaller ones. In 2025, costs are averaging at ~€380–€460 per kWh.

For typical systems in a single-family home, this means approximately the following benchmarks:

• Small storage systems (4–7 kWh): approx. €2,000 to €4,500 acquisition costs. (Example: 5 kWh ~ €2,500)

• Medium storage systems (8–12 kWh): approx. €4,000 to €6,000. (Example: 10 kWh ~ €4,500)

• Large storage systems (~15 kWh): approx. €8,000 to €11,000 (depending on the model).

Small tip: Since 2023, PV systems and battery storage in Germany have been exempt from VAT (19%). The prices above are therefore net prices = gross prices for private buyers. Installation costs may be added if the storage system is not installed by oneself.

Price Examples 2024/25: Actual costs depend on the manufacturer and technology. Some realistic examples from the German market:

• A 5 kWh lithium home storage unit (e.g., BYD or Huawei) costs about €4,000–€5,500 including everything. Larger 10 kWh systems are available from approx. €6,000–€8,000.

• The modular system Pylontech US3000C (LiFePO₄ battery module with ~3.5 kWh) costs individually only around €800–€900. For 4 modules (~14 kWh usable), you pay about €4,000–€4,500 (plus inverter) – a very good price/performance ratio for DIY enthusiasts.

• A Plug-and-Play balcony power plant storage like Anker SOLIX Solarbank 2 (with 1.6 kWh battery and integrated micro-inverter) costs around €1,000 for the basic unit. Each additional 1.6 kWh expansion battery costs about €700–€800. This allows you to upgrade, e.g., 3.2 kWh for ~€1,800 or up to 9.6 kWh for approx. €4,000.

• Innovative high-performance power stations: The Zendure SuperBase V6400 with 6.4 kWh semi-solid battery costs approx. €4,000 (current offer price) and is expandable up to 64 kWh – so even larger houses can be supplied in an emergency.

• Well-known premium solutions such as the Tesla Powerwall 2 with 13.5 kWh capacity cost around €9,000–€10,000 fully installed (often only available through specialized partners). A Sonnenbatterie 10 (10 kWh, German manufacturer) is in a similar price range.

As you can see, the price ranges are wide. Cheaper manufacturers (e.g., Huawei, RCT, BYD) often offer lower prices, while brands with additional features or all-in-one solutions (e.g., Tesla/Sonnen) cost more. It is important to keep an eye on the price per kWh: This should ideally be below €600 per kWh – many current offers already achieve this (around €400–€500/kWh).

What does a storage system for a PV system cost?

This question is often asked separately but basically means the same thing. Battery storage systems for PV systems cost individually as described above. However, if you plan a complete PV system including storage from the start, there are package prices:

• A 5 kWp photovoltaic system + 5 kWh storage can be had for about €9,000–€10,000.

• A common 10 kWp system + 10 kWh storage averages around €13,000–€15,000 in total investment.

Such complete systems are often slightly cheaper than retrofit solutions because installation and components are bundled. So, if you don't have a PV system yet, it might be worthwhile to plan for storage right away.

When is a PV storage system worthwhile?

Given the costs, one naturally asks: When is the purchase of a PV storage system worthwhile? The good news: Thanks to falling prices and high electricity costs, a PV storage system is now economically worthwhile in most cases and offers additional benefits:

• Higher Self-Consumption & Autonomy: Without storage, a household can typically only use ~30% of the solar power directly; the rest is fed into the grid. With storage, self-consumption can be increased to 60–80%. This means that a large part of the generated electricity is used by yourself, even in the evenings and at night. This means less reliance on expensive grid electricity and greater independence from the electricity supplier. Your self-generated solar power is practically used twice instead of being fed in for a few cents.

• Savings through Electricity Price Difference: Currently, the feed-in tariff for PV systems (excess feed-in) is only about 8 Ct/kWh (since Aug. 2024), while you have to pay around 30–40 Ct/kWh for grid electricity. Every self-consumed solar kWh instead of feed-in therefore saves you ~€0.22–€0.30. Over a year, this quickly adds up to hundreds of euros in savings. An example: 3,000 kWh self-used instead of fed in (thanks to storage) saves about €900 per year in electricity costs at €0.30/kWh. These savings directly contribute to the amortization of the storage unit.

• Better Return on PV System: The increased self-consumption rate also improves the economic efficiency of the entire solar system. You achieve more value per generated kWh. In fact, a PV system with storage has a much better return than one without storage, because the electricity cost savings are higher than the lost feed-in tariff. Modern storage systems last 10–15 years and beyond – during this time, they can financially amortize. Many installers now create economic calculations that show that storage systems often pay for themselves in ~8–12 years (depending on electricity price development and self-consumption). Given >6000 charging cycles of modern LiFePO₄ batteries, the lifespan is sufficient for this.

• Emergency Power and Comfort: A storage system makes it possible to continue supplying the house with electricity for some time in the event of a power outage (with appropriate technology). Not all systems have an emergency power/backup function, but many hybrid inverters offer it. In addition, a storage system means more comfort – for example, you can use self-generated electricity at night, buffer for EV charging in the evening, or supply a heat pump overnight.

• Environmental Friendliness: Every additional self-used solar power replaces grid electricity, which still has a share of fossil fuels in the German grid mix. More self-consumption thanks to storage indirectly reduces CO₂ emissions. In addition, local storage reduces the need for grid expansion. In short: A PV storage system is not only economical but also ecologically sensible.

Conclusion: As a rule, a PV storage system is worthwhile as soon as a solar system is available and surplus electricity is generated during the day. The conditions in 2024/25 – falling storage prices and high electricity tariffs – mean that a PV storage system is economically attractive. Of course, the exact profitability depends on the individual case (system size, electricity consumption, subsidies, etc.). But for typical households, a storage system is almost standard today: According to the BSW industry association, in 2023 already over 80% of new PV systems were installed directly with storage – a clear sign that the investment usually pays off.

(Note: Some federal states and municipalities offer subsidies for home storage. These subsidies can further shorten the amortization period. It is best to find out if there are funding programs in your area.)

Which PV storage system is the best?

Many homeowners ask themselves: Which PV storage system is the best? – or more generally Which PV storage systems are the best on the market? This cannot be answered universally with a single model, because there is no such thing as "the" one best storage system. Depending on the requirements and intended use, a different solution may be optimal:

Important Selection Criteria (Buying Guide):

• Capacity & Power: The storage system should match your PV system size and your consumption. Rule of thumb: about 1 kWh of storage capacity per 1 kWp of PV power or per 1,000 kWh of annual consumption. Example: For 5 kWp PV and 5,000 kWh consumption, ~5–7 kWh of storage is sensible. Also pay attention to the inverter or the discharge power (kW) so that sufficient power can be delivered when many consumers are running simultaneously.

• Compatibility: If you already own a PV system, check which storage systems are compatible with your existing inverter. There are AC storage systems (with their own battery inverter, e.g., Tesla Powerwall) and DC storage systems (connected to a hybrid inverter). Modular systems like Pylontech batteries are compatible with many common hybrid inverters (SMA, Kostal, Victron, Growatt etc.).

• Battery Technology: Almost all current PV home storage systems use lithium-ion batteries, mostly LiFePO₄ chemistry (lithium iron phosphate). This is considered particularly safe (low risk of fire/explosion) and durable (many cycles) – an important factor. Pay attention to the cycle count and remaining capacity in the warranty: Good storage systems specify >6,000 cycles and 80% capacity after 10 years as a guideline.

• Efficiency: High-quality storage systems have an overall system efficiency (including battery inverter) of 90% and more. The standby consumption should also be low. The annual losses due to the storage system affect its effectiveness. Independent tests (e.g., HTW Speicher-Inspektion) show the efficiencies of top devices – many current models perform very well here.

• Manufacturer & Warranty: Choose established manufacturers with good service in Germany. Brands like BYD, Sonnen, SENEC, Varta, but also newer providers like Anker or Zendure, each have advantages and disadvantages. A warranty of usually 10 years on the storage system is important. Some manufacturers offer online monitoring and service. Also, inform yourself about other customers' experiences.

• Functions: Consider which extras are important: emergency power capability (island operation in case of power outage), expandable modularity, integrated energy management, smartphone app for monitoring, etc. A modular system allows the storage system to be expanded in the future (practical if consumption increases, e.g., due to an EV or heat pump).

• Price per kWh: As mentioned above, compare the cost per usable kWh capacity. This helps to better categorize the price/performance of different offers. More expensive systems may offer additional benefits (e.g., AC complete system, stylish design, all-in-one with emergency power), while inexpensive ones may require more self-initiative (e.g., separate installation of a battery cabinet for Pylontech modules).

Popular PV Storage Solutions: To give you an overview, we have compiled some common storage systems from various categories – from the compact balcony power plant storage to the large home storage system. The following table compares popular PV storage models with their most important data:

Model / System	Capacity (kWh)	Price (approx.)	Application Area
Anker SOLIX Solarbank 2 (E1600) – All-in-One Storage Unit	1.6 kWh (expandable up to 9.6 kWh with modules)	~€1,000 (basic set 1.6 kWh)	Balcony power plant, small PV systems (Plug-&-Play storage with integrated micro-inverter, easy installation for apartment/balcony).
Zendure SolarFlow – Balcony PV Storage Kit	1.92 kWh (per battery, stackable up to 7.68 kWh)	~€1,000 (set with 1× 1.92 kWh)	Balcony power plant / Mini-PV (DC-side storage with PV hub, stores surplus from the balcony module for later use, ideal for retrofitting without much effort).
Pylontech US5000 (48 V) – Modular Battery	4.8 kWh per module (cascadable, e.g., 4 modules = 19.2 kWh)	~€950 per module	Home storage (single-family house) – modularly scalable also for small businesses. Used with a suitable hybrid inverter (e.g., Victron, SMA, Growatt). High cycle count, 95% usable DoD, known for reliability.
BYD Battery-Box Premium HVS – High-Voltage Stackable Storage	approx. 10.2 kWh (consisting of 5 modules of ~2 kWh each; expandable up to ~12 kWh)	~€6,000–€7,000 (storage only, without installation)	Complete PV system (house / commercial) – frequently integrated with hybrid inverters in PV systems. High power output (three-phase possible), proven manufacturer, professional installation required. Also suitable for small businesses with higher consumption.
Tesla Powerwall 2 – AC Complete Storage	13.5 kWh (usable; 100% DoD possible)	~€9,000–€10,000 (incl. Gateway, plus installation)	Single-family house (All-in-One AC storage with integrated battery inverter). Best-known home storage with emergency power capability in case of grid outage. Installation only through certified installers; mostly part of a complete system for homeowners.

 

Note: The prices above are rough estimates for 2024/2025. Market prices can fluctuate, and depending on the provider, installation or accessory costs may be added. For accurate planning, it is advisable to obtain individual quotes.

As you can see, different systems have different strengths. Small Plug&Play storage systems like Zendure SolarFlow or Anker SOLIX are excellently suited for retrofitting, e.g., a balcony power plant or a small PV system in an apartment with storage – entirely without an electrician, as these systems were specially developed for end-users. Modular systems like Pylontech are aimed more at homeowners with their own PV system and offer a lot of flexibility (adjustable capacity, selectable inverter). Manufacturers like BYD or LG Energy often supply the storage technology for complete systems from solar installers – here, integration and quality are paramount. The Powerwall from Tesla or Sonnenbatterie are rather high-end solutions that come turnkey and focus on energy management, community networking (with Sonnen), or backup capability (with Tesla).

Which storage system suits you?

Ultimately, the best PV storage system is the one that suits your needs. Ask yourself questions like: How much capacity do I need? Do I want to install the storage system myself or have it done by a specialist company? Is emergency power important to me? Does the system fit my existing setup? – Based on the answers, you can narrow down the selection. It often helps to read experience reports and, if necessary, seek advice.

Tip: Take your time planning and compare offers. Manufacturers like Zendure and Anker SOLIX often offer cost-effective and user-friendly solutions for beginners, while Pylontech & Victron/Growatt components are more interesting for tech-savvy users. For an all-round carefree solution, complete offers from installation companies with brand storage systems (BYD, Sonnen, etc.) can be sensible – here, advice, installation, and warranty processing are included.

Conclusion

Owning a PV storage system is more attractive than ever in 2024/2025: Costs have fallen sharply, while electricity prices are high – so a storage system saves you money and increases your independence. In addition, you contribute to the energy transition by using more solar power yourself. Whether a storage system is worthwhile depends on the specific profile, but for most private households, the answer today is Yes.

When it comes to buying advice, the right system must be selected. From balcony power plants to complete systems, there are different storage solutions. Smaller balcony power plant storage units like Anker or Zendure are ideal for rented apartments or for getting started, while for a large complete PV system in a private home, more powerful systems with greater capacity are often suitable. It is important to pay attention to quality and appropriate sizing.

Look at the options and get advice – with the right PV storage system, you will increase your self-sufficiency with solar power, become somewhat independent from your electricity provider, and enjoy the good feeling of efficiently using solar energy even in the evening. Good luck with planning your PV storage system!