More and more residential solar users are turning to robust energy storage solutions like solar batteries. The market is rife with many choices, and Tesla’s Powerwall range has remained a crowd favorite because of its performance and cost-efficiency. That is, until Franklin Whole Home debuted its Home Power solution.
The FranklinWH aPowerX solar battery is being widely touted as a worthy competitor to the Tesla Powerwall.
Read on for a thorough comparative analysis to understand which of the two is better for homeowners and why.
Franklin Versus Tesla: Technical Specifications
| Feature | FranklinWH aPowerX | Tesla Powerwall 2 |
| Battery Type | Lithium iron phosphate | Lithium ion |
| Coupling | AC-coupled | AC-coupled |
| Storage Capacity | 13.6kWh | 13.5kWh |
| Max Continuous Power | 5kW | 5kW |
| Peak Power | 10kW | 7kW |
| Depth of Discharge (DOD) | 100% | 96% |
| Roundtrip Efficiency | 89% | 90% |
| Stackable | Yes, up to 15 units | Yes, up to 10 units |
| Size | 750 x 1150 x 290mm | 1150 x 753 x 147 mm |
| Weight | 408 lbs | 251 lbs (approx.) |
Franklin aPowerX Versus Powerwall 2: At A Glance
Franklin markets its solar solutions as a full home power system, comprising an aGateX smart energy management module and aPowerX, a state-of-the-art solar battery. Together, Franklin Home Power (FHP) comprises an independent power supply ecosystem with your grid, solar array, and generators. This is undoubtedly a winning feature, but for the sake of a fair comparison, let’s look closely at the provided batteries.
The aPowerX from FranklinWH is a state-of-the-art lithium iron phosphate battery designed for residential use. In contrast, the Tesla Powerwall 2 is a compact lithium-ion solar battery built for residential and light-duty commercial use. Both are AC-coupled models that are interoperable and compatible with other solar generators.
These batteries can be mounted on the wall or floor, indoors or outdoors. Both have sleek, minimalistic designs.
If you look at the specs sheet comparison, there are very few differences in the utility and build of these solar batteries. However, there are performance-specific elements that give one the edge over the other.
Understanding the Differences Between aPowerX and Powerwall 2
Despite many similarities, the aPowerX differs from the Powerwall on multiple accounts. Does that give FranklinWH an edge over Tesla?
Let’s do a complete comparative analysis:
Battery
Battery chemistry is critical when it comes to choosing a solar storage unit for your home. It affects power storage capacity, performance, longevity, and, most importantly, your household’s safety. There are environmental and ethical concerns that you cannot overlook, either.
This is where FranklinWH hits a home run: it uses a lithium iron phosphate battery, which is better for residential usage compared to the Powerwall’s lithium-ion. This battery is advantageous because:
- This compact battery is fast-charging and has 100% DOD compared to the 96% of the Powerwall. The higher the DOD, the better the utility you get out of your battery.
- Lithium-iron phosphate batteries are the least prone to thermal runaways compared to all other battery types, making them great for home use.
- These batteries don’t need cobalt to function, unlike Li-ion batteries. This means they have an ethical advantage over Tesla Powerwall.
- Li-iron phosphate batteries can last five times longer than Li-ion batteries.
- LiFePO4 batteries can also effectively operate in a wide range of temperatures.
Though FranklinWH is a relatively new solar provider in the market, its battery chemistry wins several points over the Tesla Powerwall 2.
Storage Capacity
As shown in the spec sheet above, the batteries are neck to neck when it comes to storage capacity. FranklinWH aPowerX can technically store 0.1 kWh more power, but this is negligible in the grand scheme of things.
The difference lies in the capacity increase.
While both batteries are stackable, you can use up to ten units of the Powerwall 2, increasing your overall storage to 135 kWh. In contrast, 15 units of the aPowerX can be stacked to provide your home with an impressive 204 kWh.
FranklinWH provides one of the highest storage capacities among solar batteries available today. The Powerwall 2 cannot match up to it quite yet.
Performance
Versatility is the name of the game for both batteries. The models are split-phase, AC-coupled, and interoperable, so they are easy to retrofit. If you have an existing solar arrangement currently in use, you can combine it with aPowerX or Powerwall 2 with relative ease.
You also get a standard 5 kW continuous power supply from FranklinWH and Tesla. This is the industry average and is expected of solid solar batteries.
It’s the peak power supply that gives the FranklinWH home battery the edge over the Tesla Powerwall. The former guarantees 10 kW peak power that lasts for 10 seconds. So, when the battery auto-detects grid outages, it delivers a surge of 10 kW—enough to start an air conditioner or keep your computer working.
In most cases, you might not even notice the outage because the aPowerX will keep your lights and appliances on without any glitches.
The Powerwall 2 provides a 7 kW peak output. It’s still a good amount, but not quite as efficient as the FranklinWH model.
The aPowerX also has micro-grid forming and black start capabilities. In the event of natural calamities, like hurricanes, you can utilize this black start functionality to get power back within a few minutes.
As for the Tesla Powerwall, a fully charged module can power your home and allow you to charge your EV. But it’s nearly not as powerful as the aPowerX.
Warranty
Tesla has an industry-best 10-year warranty for its Powerwall solar batteries. If it fails to perform to set expectations, the company will replace the battery. You can also reach out to Tesla’s 24/7 customer helpline if you encounter any issues with the unit you have purchased.
FranklinWH offers a 12-year warranty, handily beating its competition.
Cost
Solar battery expenses depend on several factors, including the number of batteries included in the setup, source of purchase, installation charges, and more. For a standard single-family residence, FranklinWH’s offerings are cheaper than Tesla’s.
Tesla offers affordable solar products but has recently seen price increases. Accounting for these changes and the costs of accessories, their offerings are no longer at the lower end of the pricing table.
A FranklinWH Home Power setup will cost roughly $18,000, including installation and setup charges. Although it is undoubtedly a hefty one-time investment, the system pays for itself when it comes to reduced energy bills and long-term utility.
The Verdict
If you’re a residential solar user planning to introduce multilayer redundancy to your setup, the FranklinWH aPowerX solar battery is an ideal fit for you. FranklinWH is dedicated to creating robust home energy solutions for residential solar users, and its only product ticks all the right boxes.
Although this comparison focuses on just the battery in the setup, we recommend going for the complete integrated Home Power system. It will provide you with a comprehensive, multilayered solution to all of your home energy needs.
FranklinWH is an affordable, reliable, high-performing solution for grid-tied and off-the-grid users. Talk to your local solar dealer to learn more about FranklinWH today.
Authored by Ryan Douglas
NRG Clean Power's resident writer and solar enthusiast, Ryan Douglas covers all things related to the clean energy industry.
