A lithium battery is now the usual choice for home backup in South Africa, and nearly all of them use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells with a battery management system built in. They are lighter than lead acid, let you use more of their capacity and are rated for far more cycles. Prices still vary widely for batteries that look the same on paper. This page explains the chemistry, the BMS, usable capacity, warranties and how to compare a lithium battery price fairly. Tell us what you need and local suppliers will send free quotes, with no obligation.
LiFePO4 and other lithium chemistries
"Lithium" covers several chemistries. Home backup and solar batteries almost always use LiFePO4, which is more stable under heat and abuse than the nickel based cells (NMC) found in phones, laptops, electric vehicles and some portable power stations. LiFePO4 stores a little less energy per kilogram, but for a battery that sits in a garage for years that matters far less than safety and cycle life.
When you read a spec sheet, check the chemistry is named plainly. If a seller cannot tell you what cells are inside, look elsewhere.
What the BMS does
The battery management system is the electronics inside the case that keeps the cells safe. A good BMS:
- balances the cells so they charge and discharge evenly
- cuts off on over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current and short circuit
- stops charging when the cells are too cold or too hot
- talks to the inverter over CAN or RS485 so the inverter charges it correctly
That last point matters most for home systems. A lithium battery for an inverter should be on the inverter maker's compatibility list. See inverter batteries for matching a battery to an inverter you already have.
Usable capacity, cycles and warranties
A battery's nameplate capacity is not always what you can use. Lithium lets you use most of it, while lead acid should not routinely go below about half. Compare usable kWh, not just the big number on the box.
Cycle ratings and warranties come from the maker, and they are written in different ways: years, cycles, energy throughput or a capacity left at the end. Ask each supplier for the warranty in writing, who handles a claim in South Africa and whether the battery must be installed by a registered installer for it to count.
Lithium battery price thinking
A fair way to compare is the price against the usable kWh and the warranty, not the price alone. Two 5 kWh batteries a few thousand rand apart may differ in usable capacity, communication, warranty terms and local support. Heat shortens battery life, so keep it in a cool, dry, ventilated spot out of the sun, and remember some lithium batteries will not charge below about 0 °C. For home modules see 48V lithium batteries, and for smaller blocks see 12V lithium batteries.
What to include in your request
- The battery voltage and capacity you want
- Your inverter make and model, if you have one
- Supply only or supplied and installed
- Where the battery will stand and how hot it gets
- Ask for the warranty terms in writing
Lithium Batteries for different clients
- Homeowners: a 5 kWh lithium battery behind the inverter to carry lights, wifi and the fridge
- Complexes, estates and body corporates: lithium batteries for guard hut backup, gate motors and common area lighting
- Offices and home offices: lithium storage behind an inverter so computers, network and phones stay up
- Shops, restaurants and salons: a lithium bank that keeps tills, card machines and fridges running in outages
- Farms and smallholdings: lithium batteries for the farmhouse, electric fence and a borehole pump inverter
- Clinics, surgeries and care homes: lithium backup for a surgery's essentials and home devices such as CPAP machines
- Factories, warehouses, schools and churches: larger lithium banks for offices, control rooms and data cabinets on site
- Electricians, installers and security companies: installers buying lithium batteries that match the inverters they fit most
Frequently asked questions
What is the lithium battery price in South Africa?
Is a LiFePO4 lithium battery safe to keep in the house?
Can I use a lithium battery for solar?
How do I get quotes for a lithium battery?
Lithium Batteries by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg