The Anker Solix X1 is a cutting-edge modular home battery system aimed at households with or without rooftop solar, and it’s fast becoming one of the most popular options in Australia.
The concept here is pretty simple: it’s a compact, 15 cm-thick battery system that can be either wall-mounted or floor-standing, and stores power when it’s abundant and cheap (from the grid or solar) and uses it to power your home during peak times when costs are higher. It can also provide backup power during blackouts, or even take a home entirely off-grid.
The Solix X1 is available in multiple flexible configurations to suit just about every situation, from deep integration into new builds through to a simpler retrofit for homes adding storage to an existing solar setup – and the X1 can even scale in the future if your household demand grows.
Anker vs the competition
So what makes the Solix X1 stand out? The home battery market is pretty hot in Australia right now, thanks to government-funded rebates, and there are plenty of brands vying for your business. One easy way to get an overview of the market is Solar Quotes’ battery brand ranking, which is based on actual customer installs. (Solar Quotes is a name we trust, and it has been vetting solar and battery brands since 2009.)
Impressively, despite being a relative newcomer, the Anker Solix lineup has already climbed the ranks and is sitting at number 4, beating much more established rivals.
While there are plenty of happy customer reviews online, one of the most prominent installs was in July last year, when the North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast received a Solix X1 upgrade. The beachside is a harsh environment for electronics, with salt mist and storm exposure, plus there’s a genuine need for backup power during emergencies if the grid goes down. The Solix system at North Kirra uses two hybrid three-phase X1 systems with 50 kWh of storage paired with 12 kW of solar, donated and installed by RESINC Solar & Batteries.
This wasn’t just a local company trying to drum up goodwill – Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen was the one to officially turn on the system, kicking off the Cheaper Home Batteries Program that aims to support 2 million Aussie households to install home batteries by 2030.
Why Anker, and why Anker Solix?
Home batteries can look a little interchangeable on paper, but it’s about more than just the specs. Some of the most important aspects won’t be apparent until years down the road, like software support, warranty handling and parts availability. Aussies have seen plenty of brands make bold promises before disappearing, leaving owners with little support and an investment that turns out to be much more costly than they’d anticipated.
Anker, though, is a brand we have no qualms about recommending, and we’re confident it will be sticking around long term. Founded in 2011 by ex-Google software engineer Steven Yang, the company has become a brand known worldwide for premium quality tech at reasonable prices.
What makes the Solix X1 special?
Australian conditions can be tough, with most of the population living near the coast, yet also experiencing everything from heatwaves to storms, and down south, icy weather. So durability is key – especially for a device that is designed to live outside. The Solix X1 is rated up to IP66 for ingress protection and carries a C5-M anti-corrosion classification – the highest industry standard for durability – that makes it capable of handling high-salinity environments.
This isn’t just an optimistic but unrealistic rating, and Anker has specific guidance for installers (such as needing a sheltered or indoor location if you are within 300 m of the ocean) to help make sure the home battery will be problem-free long term.
Handling heatwaves is another Australia-specific need, and the Solix X1 has an operating temp range of -20°C to 55°C, plus it’s supported by a 10-year warranty.
For backup power during blackouts, the Solix X1 has auto-switching with a 10 ms UPS-style response. In other words, when the grid goes down in a storm and your neighbours are scrambling for torches, you may not even notice. For longer interruptions, the hybrid X1 models can even switch to fully off-grid mode and charge from solar.
The Solix X1 systems start from 5 kW output – plenty for household use – and for the hybrid models, can have multiple units run in parallel with an output up to 72 kW. Extra capacity can be added in the future if needed, and the AC-coupled model can range from 5 kWh to 30 kWh, while the hybrid single-phase system can be expanded up to 60 kWh, and the three-phase system can scale all the way up to 180 kWh of storage.
Anker is also very focused on the software side, and the X1 offers control and modes that help you get the best day-to-day usability while also saving money.
How a home battery can be a smart investment
So how exactly can a home battery save on your power costs? The idea is simple: take the cheapest electricity, be it from the grid during off-peak times, or from your solar, and store it for use during peak times when prices are higher. There’s no one-size-fits-all for home batteries when it comes to exactly how much you will save, so it’s important to talk to your installer about the best option for your setup.
The Solix X1 is also VPP (Virtual Power Plant) ready and supported by Amber Electric and Origin Energy. This means you can get paid for exporting power from your battery to the grid, offsetting your power bills.
The home battery can also be paired with the Solix V1 EV charger to top up your car from solar, or when power is cheapest, helping reduce your costs a little more.
Aside from the direct savings, there are many benefits to having backup power in outages – especially for those who work from home, or where downtime can have a big impact.
To explore the Solix X1 in more detail, find a local installer or get a free quote, visit the official Anker Solix Australia website.