Integrated renewable energy solutions company BYD Energy Storage introduced a new BYD Battery-Box LV5.0+ at booth B214 at Solar and Storage Live Africa, in Johannesburg, on March 25.

This new residential energy storage system is the latest addition to the company’s Battery-Box range.

The Battery-Box series of residential energy storage solutions has achieved success in South Africa and across the rest of the continent since 2018, with more than 1.1-million systems installed globally.

The system’s safety and reliability, as well as the flexibility of the modular battery storage solution and its ease of installation, have all contributed to its popularity.

The low-voltage Battery-Box LV5.0 system, introduced in 2024 in South Africa, has a straightforward commissioning process. The Battery-Box LV5.0+ is the latest upgrade to this product.

“The African market is very important for BYD Energy Storage. As the continent is eager for green transformation solutions, our storage solutions are always in high demand, and as we continue to listen to our customer's feedback and needs, we are constantly striving to optimise our solutions and add features that meet the demands of the market,” BYD Energy Storage residential energy storage system director Jiang Feng said.

The latest system generation Battery-Box LV5.0+ builds on the system features of its predecessor but offers better performance, higher power output and an extended warranty. The modular system can be scaled from 5.12 kWh to 163.84 kWh.

It is also the first Battery-Box in the range that can be combined with BYD Energy Storage’s new Power-Box hybrid inverters as a complete solution. Alternatively, the LV5.0+ can also be used with low-voltage inverters from other inverter providers.

Installation and commissioning are simplified owing to the fast cabling and one-button auto commission. In addition, the one-button auto configuration of compatible inverters means that the system finishes the installation by adapting the system to the inverter.

There is no separate battery management unit and every module can be connected to the inverter, just like the Battery-Box LV5.0.

The Battery-Box LV5.0+ incorporates high safety standards, featuring a four-level safety system.

At the cell level, it uses BYD Energy Storage’s lithium-iron-phosphate cells, which are designed with an explosion-proof drop design. At the module level, the system includes thermal runaway prevention and real-time temperature management.

At the pack level, the battery system is monitored in real-time, with continuous assessment of insulation, electrical safety and short-circuit protection. At the system level, real-time diagnosis of key components ensures safety through automatic warnings and insurance cut-offs.

The system also offers proven reliability with a ten-year warranty and compliance with national and international standards.

Performance improvements include fast charge and discharge capabilities. The intelligent management system provides continuous online monitoring and analysis, remote diagnosis, and over-the-air updates. The BYD Energy Storage application facilitates real-time data tracking and energy flow visualisation, allowing for remote diagnostics and self-fault detection.

The Power-Box hybrid inverters are available in single-phase configurations, including the Power-Box SL3/3.68/4.6/5/6K and Power-Box SL7/8/10K models. Both inverter series come with a ten-year warranty and include built-in safety features such as lightning protection and continuous electrical safety monitoring.

The Power-Box SL3/3.68/4.6/5/6K supports up to 150% PV input oversizing. The Power-Box SL7/8/10K allows for a maximum of 20 A PV input current, incorporates an integrated generator control and supports up to 200% peak output power.

These capabilities enhance the overall flexibility of the system, ensuring compatibility with a range of PV installations.

The Battery-Box LV5.0+ and Power-Box hybrid inverters together provide a scalable and adaptable energy storage solution. The system is designed to meet the evolving needs of residential energy users.

“The 1C charge and discharge capability provides better performance, and with the option to combine the Battery-Box LV5.0+ with our Power-Box inverters, we offer a one-stop shop concept while offering our customers full flexibility with their inverter choice,” Feng said.

The new BYD Battery-Box LV5.0+ solution combination will be available from July across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and other markets.