Lithium Solar Batteries for Off-Grid Homes in Canada
Store your solar power for nights, cloudy days and winter. Compare the Pytes V5 and the heated Volthium 51.2 V 100 Ah, both 5.12 kWh LiFePO4 batteries for 48 V systems, and the Energy Pak lithium battery with built-in heating. Below the products, learn how to size your battery bank.
How much battery storage do you need?
Battery size is measured in kWh. Start with how many kWh you use in a day, then decide how many days you want to run without sun. A cabin used on weekends may get by with one 5.12 kWh battery. A year-round home often needs two to four, plus enough solar and a backup generator for long cloudy stretches in winter. Our sizing calculator walks you through the math.
Cold weather: where your battery lives matters
Lithium batteries need protection when charging in the cold. Here is what each product page states:
Volthium 51.2-100-RH-3U-C: a built-in heater turns on automatically when the internal temperature drops below −7°C during charging. Charging range is −25°C to 45°C and discharging range is −20°C to 60°C. Volthium batteries are built in Quebec.
Energy Pak: built-in heating activates in cold temperatures to protect the cells and keep charging performance.
Pytes V5: operating range of about −10°C to 55°C. The page does not detail a heater, so plan a heated space for it.
In an unheated cabin, an insulated utility room is the safer home for any battery bank.
Rack mount, expansion and communication
The Volthium is a 19-inch, 3U rack-mount battery with a built-in 125 A breaker. Up to 32 units can run in parallel, and it communicates over VE.Can and RS-485. Its page lists LuxPower, Sol-Ark, Schneider/Conext and Victron GX systems as compatible. It is also the battery in all of our complete solar kits.
The Pytes V5 measures 17.32 x 20.87 x 5.51 inches and weighs 97 lb. Up to 14 units link in one group over CAN/RS485. It comes with a busbar connector, communication, ground and power cables, and a smart monitor. The Energy Pak lists up to 250 A continuous current and an LCD status display; contact us for its voltage and capacity before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What does LiFePO4 mean?
LiFePO4 is lithium iron phosphate, the chemistry used in the Pytes V5 and the Volthium. The Pytes page lists 6,000 cycles, and the Volthium lists 6,000+ cycles at 90% depth of discharge.
Can I add batteries later?
Yes, within each model's parallel limit. Add the same model so the batteries communicate and balance as one bank, and have a licensed electrician make the connections. OffGrid Nexus does not offer installation.
Which inverters work with these batteries?
The Volthium page lists LuxPower among its compatible brands, and our LuxPower 8 kW and 10 kW inverters list 48 V battery compatibility. For any other pairing, send us both model numbers and we will check.
Want a second opinion on your battery bank size? Call 579-999-7666 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET), email support@offgridnexus.ca or request a system plan.