Note: Solar Choice is not affiliated with iStore batteries or any other battery manufacturer. Our reviews are independently written using technical documentation and industry analysis.
At a Glance: iStore Batteries score 2.9 out of 5
Scoring is based on our solar battery scorecard, which is consistently applied to each brand and battery available on the Australian market. This scoring reflects iStore’s 10kWh residential battery product.
$$$ Price: Based on data from Solar Choice’s network of solar installers, the average price for an installed iStore battery is $1,114 per usable kWh. This positions it as a higher-cost option.
- Company Backing and Trustworthiness (5 out of 5): iStore has been active in Australia since 2009, has a substantial local support team, and is well known for its hot water heat pump products. It scores full marks for trust and presence.
- Warranty Offer (3.5 out of 5): iStore offers a throughput warranty of 3.65MWh per usable kWh, a 10-year product warranty, and a minimum capacity rating of 70% at the end of the warranty period. This is competitive with other mid-range offerings.
- Customer Reviews (0 out of 5): iStore batteries currently have no verified reviews on Solar Choice’s independent platform, resulting in a 0 score for customer feedback. We will be back to update this as customer reviews come in.
- Functionality (3 out of 5): iStore batteries are modular, rated for outdoor installation, and include built in fire suppression. However, they cannot be AC-coupled with an additional inverterand adding new batteries may be impacted by degradation of older ones—which limits flexibility and long-term upgrade potential.
Overview of iStore – Company History
iStore is an Australian-owned brand with a growing presence in renewable energy technologies, initially known for its heat pump hot water systems. The iStore brand is owned by Solargain Pty Ltd which has been trading since 2009. In 2023, iStore has expanded into hybrid solar inverters and solar batteries which are manufactured by Huawei.
iStore positions its offering as an integrated solution, bundling hybrid inverters, solar batteries, EV chargers, and smart energy monitoring tools for the Australian residential market. While relatively new to batteries, the company is scaling quickly thanks to a feature-rich solution and local backing.
Their headquarters is in Malaga – Western Australia and they have roaming sales reps in most states of Australia.
iStore Battery Range and Options
iStore offers a single high-voltage modular battery series under the name iStore Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES. This system can be configured to deliver 5kWh, 10kWh, or 15kWh of nominal capacity. The system uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells and is designed for pairing with iStore hybrid inverters.
iStore Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES
The battery solution comes with individual 5kWh battery modules and can be stacked up to 15kWh, with 2 stacks able to be combined to reach a maximum of 30kWh for single phase homes. For 3 phase applications 4 stacks can be combined to reach 60kWh.
The battery must be DC-coupled to a iStore hybrid inverter.
Technical features:
- Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
- Depth of Discharge: 100%
- Cooling: Natural convection
- IP Rating: IP66 (weatherproof for outdoor installations)
- Mounting: Floor standing (standard); wall-mount optional
The iStore batteries also come with an impressive fire suppression safety system. Each battery module includes temperature sensors which will automatically trigger a built in fire extinguisher to put out a fire and prevent the fire spreading to additional battery modules. There are few batteries on the market that can match this functionality.
Like all iStore products the battery can be monitored and managed in real-time through their app. This makes their battery particularly appealing for homeowners who already have an iStore inverter, heat pump or EV charger.
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How Much Does an iStore Battery Cost?
Based on data from Solar Choice’s national installer network, iStore batteries are priced in the higher-cost tier:
- Average installed cost: ~$1,114 per usable kWh (excluding any rebates)
Estimated pricing:
- Smart Battery 5000 ES (5.0kWh nominal): $5,100–$5,500 installed
- Smart Battery 15000 ES (15.0kWh nominal): $13,500–$15,000 installed
iStore batteries are eligible for the federal battery rebate, potentially reducing upfront costs by up to 30%. There could be additional rebates depending on your state and if you are happy to connect to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
iStore Battery Technical Specifications Table
| Feature | Smart Battery 15000 ES |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Nominal Capacity (kWh) | 15.0 |
| Depth of Discharge | 100% |
| Nominal Voltage (3PH systems) | 600V |
| Voltage Range (3PH systems) | 600–980V |
| Round Trip Efficiency | >95% |
| Max Discharge Power | 5.0kW |
| Peak Output Power (10s) | 7.0kW |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Mounting Options | Floor-stand standard; wall optional |
| Operating Temp Range | –20°C to 55°C |
| Built-in Safety Features | 4-layer protection, fire extinguisher |
| Monitoring | Univers EMS cloud-based platform |
iStore’s Warranty Offer For Australian Customers
iStore offers a 10-year product and performance warranty for its battery systems which we would rank as above average. The warranty covers the following:
- Minimum retained capacity: 70% of original capacity after 10 years (most batteries offer 60% to 70%)
- Minimum throughput per usable kWh: 3.65 MWh (most battery brands offer around 3MWh)
For example, each 5kWh battery module is warranted to deliver a minimum of 18.25MWh of energy over 10 years. This allows for regular cycling while accounting for some performance degradation over time.
Some of the notable conditions to be aware of:
- Battery must remain connected to iStore’s cloud monitoring platform
- Installation must be completed within 31 days of purchase
- All faults must be reported within 2 weeks
- Only certified iStore installers can perform installation and maintenance
- Operation outside the recommended temperature range (15°C–30°C) may impact lifespan
For any technical issues or warranty claims, iStore have a local support team in Australia to help.
Read iStore’s full warranty terms.
Pros and Cons of iStore Batteries
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ IP66 rated – robust for outdoor installations | ✗ Must be paired with iStore hybrid inverter so not universally compatible with other solar brands |
| ✓ Modular and expandable up to 60kWh (in 3PH systems) | ✗ Relatively short track record in battery storage |
| ✓ Built-in fire extinguisher and extensive temperature sensors | ✗ No customer reviews available on Solar Choice’s verified platform |
| ✓ Real-time monitoring platform included (Univers EMS) |
Conclusion: Our Verdict on iStore Batteries
iStore’s Smart Battery 5000/15000 ES offers a well-rounded storage solution for households seeking an integrated solar + battery package. Its standout features include IP66-rated weather resistance, built-in safety mechanisms like fire suppression and thermal monitoring, and cloud-based monitoring.
The battery comes with a solid 10 year warranty guaranteeing 70% capacity or a minimum throughput of 3.65MWh per usable kWh installed, which compares pretty well amongst other battery brands.
The only thing missing to support their premium offer is a good track record of independently verified customer reviews which affects their overall score of 2.9 out of 5. If iStore can improve on their customer reviews, we expect they could rival the best solar batteries on the market.
Read more product reviews from Solar Choice
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- Best Solar Batteries in Australia 2025 - 29 July, 2025
- Why a big battery could be cheaper than a small battery with the federal rebate? - 19 June, 2025
- Heat Pump Costs – Solar Choice Price Index - 1 June, 2025
