Enphase's new battery: A major upgrade

The Enphase IQ Battery 10C hit the market in early Summer 2025, and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Many homeowners and installers are seeking an alternative to the Tesla Powerwall 3—the most popular battery of 2024—either because of its three-to-six-month backlog or because of differences with Tesla’s CEO. 

Could the newest Enphase battery fill the void?

This fourth-generation battery is Enphase’s most powerful yet and represents a major upgrade for those who want to pair their batteries with microinverters. After speaking with installers who have worked with Enphase on this product for over a year, we've learned it has some key features that make it a great option for many homeowners. We’ll walk you through the key specs and features of the Enphase IQ Battery 10C. If you like what you see, the IQ 10C is available to purchase on the EnergySage Marketplace.

A compact design

One of the 10C's biggest advantages is its dramatically smaller footprint compared to past models and many competitors.

“This new Enphase battery really addressed an issue in the industry with wall space,” explained Jeremy Nicholson, CEO of Sunergy, a California solar installation company. “The previous generations had a lot of equipment on the wall, and it was really a challenge to get clearances.”

The compact design resolves a huge challenge for California homeowners, where local codes require 3-foot clearances from windows and doors. For perspective, Nicholson said the 10C battery takes up 34% less wall space than Tesla’s Powerwall 3.

An easier, safer installation

Previous Enphase battery installations required complex electrical work, including relocating circuits from the main panel to a backup panel. Easy-to-install products like the Powerwall 3 were a breath of fresh air for installers, which helped popularize that battery. Sunergy President Chris Hammerstone says the 10C has similarly eliminated a complicated installation.

“We don’t have to move any circuits—it really cuts down the timeline to install the batteries themselves,” said Hammerstone. He added that the streamlined installation process translates to faster job completion and lower labor costs that can be passed to customers.

Nicholson explained the 10C has a safer chemical makeup and doesn't require fan or liquid-cooling technology to control the device's temperature. Fan-cooled systems rely on air circulation and therefore have space constraints, but Enphase eliminated this issue, so more can be installed in a small space like a garage.

“It really is a safer product with better warranties that you can install more of—it’s just superior,” said Nicholson.

While Enphase does not advertise its prices outright, Nicholson said Sunergy is currently offering IQ Battery 10C with whole-home backup for about $13,000—or $1,300 per kW— including installation. That’s a competitive price, but it certainly isn’t your most cost-effective battery. For comparison, the national average price of solar batteries is $1,116 per kWh, based on EnergySage data.

If you can take advantage of the federal solar tax credit—which may be cut sooner than expected, so act fast—you’ll receive a credit on your federal taxes worth 30% of the total cost, decreasing the price to around $8,400 for installation.

The 10C represents a significant leap forward in residential energy storage, addressing long-standing issues with both previous Enphase models and competitor products. This fourth-generation battery is quickly gaining traction among homeowners frustrated by Tesla's supply chain delays and those seeking more flexible, space-efficient storage solutions.

You want Enphase microinverters (and the battery to match)

Enphase microinverters are by far the most popular, according to EnergySage Intel’s Solar & Storage Marketplace Report, and for good reason. They’re a no-brainer choice for homeowners with complex roofs—ones with multiple angles, dormers, or shading issues. Unlike traditional string inverters, microinverters optimize each panel individually, so if one panel is shaded, the others will continue to operate at full capacity—a huge advantage for roofs that aren’t perfect for solar.

If you plan to install Enphase microinverters, pairing them with the IQ Battery 10C creates a seamless, integrated system. Many installers prefer to install Enphase products together because everything falls under one warranty and can be monitored through a single app. It’s like trying to pair an Apple HomePod with an Android phone—it technically works, but you lose the easy compatibility that makes the system truly shine.

You already have solar and want to add a battery

The IQ 10C is AC-coupled, which means it can easily be added to existing solar setups. While Tesla's Powerwall 3 can technically be AC-coupled, it sort of defeats the purpose because then you can't use the Powerwall’s integrated hybrid inverter (which is what lowers the price and makes the system so efficient).

Enphase batteries are the best option for a retrofit, especially if you already have Enphase microinverters. With its more compact design, the 10C is especially helpful for homeowners with limited wall space or strict local codes—it could be the difference between having backup power and going without.

It offers enhanced safety and warranty

The 10C uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is considered very safe for home energy. LFP is more stable than many other popular battery chemistries, so you don’t have to worry about your battery overheating or potentially catching fire. According to Nicholson, because the 10C doesn't need fan or liquid-cooling technology,  it’s even safer than many other LFP competitors' systems, like Tesla’s.

With solar panels lasting 25+ years, you want a battery built to last. Not only do LFP batteries last longer than traditional lithium-ion ones, but Enphase offers a 15-year warranty with 60% capacity retention, which is stronger long-term protection than many competitors.

It's available now

More importantly, the Enphase 10C is available for homeowners looking to go solar now, while Tesla is currently backlogged three-plus months in delivering Powerwall 3s. With the federal tax credit potentially ending and the need to have systems at least installed by year-end, this availability advantage could be crucial for homeowners looking to maximize their incentives.

Its low continuous power output

While the Enphase IQ Battery 10C is the manufacturer’s most powerful yet, it still falls short compared to competitors. Continuous power represents the amount of energy that a battery can consistently discharge, essentially dictating how many devices your battery can power at one time. A low continuous power output means you can do less with a single battery. 

Enphase’s continuous power output of 7.08 kW is below the Powerwall 3’s impressive 11.5 kW and the FranklinWH's aPower2 at 10 kW. This is the difference between powering your entire home during an outage versus having to prioritize which items to run. With the Powerwall 3's 11.5 kW, you could simultaneously run a central air conditioner (3-5 kW), electric water heater (4 kW), refrigerator (0.5 kW), lights and electronics (1-2 kW), and still have capacity for other devices. The 10C's 7.08 kW output means you might need to choose between running the AC or the water heater, but not both at the same time.

Integration limitations with non-Enphase systems

While the 10C can work with equipment from other manufacturers, it performs best within the Enphase ecosystem, specifically with Enphase microinverters. The integration benefits may be limited if you have existing solar equipment from other brands.

It’s pricier than competitors

Enphase's streamlined electrical wiring helps shave installation costs compared to previous models, according to Sunergy, but it's still not the best-priced battery. At roughly $1,300 per kWh, the 10C is pricier than competing batteries like Tesla Powerwall 3 ($947 per kWh) FranklinWH aPower2 (~$1,176 per kW), and the EG4 WallMount (~$786 per kWh).

The Enphase IQ Battery 10C successfully addresses two major market pain points: battery size and availability. Its compact design, advanced cooling technology, superior 15-year warranty, and immediate availability make it a strong competitor in the market. If you’re installing Enphase products—especially microinverters—choosing the 10C is a no-brainer. However, its subpar continuous power output keeps it from being one of the top battery choices for most homeowners.