Anker SOLIX introduces its groundbreaking Solarbank 4 Pro, a modular home battery system poised to revolutionize how UK households manage their solar energy. This innovative device is specifically engineered to overcome the inherent limitation of solar panels, which primarily generate power during daylight hours. By storing surplus solar energy or leveraging off-peak grid electricity, the Solarbank 4 Pro ensures a continuous power supply, even after the sun has set. This development arrives at a crucial time, following recent changes in UK regulations that have made plug-in solar kits significantly more accessible, thereby empowering a broader range of consumers, including renters and those without traditional rooftop solar options, to embrace renewable energy.
The Solarbank 4 Pro, available for pre-order in the UK starting at £1,699, represents a significant leap forward in domestic energy solutions. Its design directly addresses the challenge of fluctuating solar output, allowing homeowners to capture and store energy generated when the sun is brightest. This stored energy can then be utilized during evening hours when electricity demand typically surges and solar generation wanes. This concept is already well-established in markets like Germany, where a substantial majority of plug-in solar systems are now paired with battery storage, underscoring the practical benefits of such integration.
The system boasts impressive scalability, with a base storage capacity of 5kWh that can be expanded to a formidable 30kWh, adapting to evolving household energy requirements. It supports up to 5,000W of solar input from as many as 12 panels and provides a 2,500W AC output. Additionally, the Solarbank 4 Pro features a dedicated off-grid port, capable of supplying up to 2,500W of backup power during grid outages, ensuring essential appliances remain operational. Despite its robust capabilities, the unit maintains a compact form factor, comparable in size to a carry-on suitcase, distinguishing it from bulkier traditional home battery systems.
Underpinning the Solarbank 4 Pro's performance are Anker SOLIX's InfiniPower™ technology and automotive-grade lithium iron phosphate cells, engineered for exceptional durability with a lifespan of 10,000 charging cycles. This equates to over a decade of daily charging and discharging. The hardware is seamlessly integrated with Anker Intelligence™, an AI-driven energy management platform compatible with over 870 European electricity providers, including Octopus Energy. This intelligent system optimizes energy usage by automatically charging when grid electricity rates are lower and discharging when prices are higher, maximizing savings for consumers.
When combined with the Smart Meter Gen 2, households gain real-time insights into their energy consumption. Anker SOLIX projects that a complete setup could yield annual savings of up to £770 for an average UK household, with an estimated return on investment in approximately 3.3 years. However, it is crucial for potential users to understand the current regulatory landscape. While plug-in solar panels can now be directly connected to standard mains sockets in Great Britain, similar provisions for plug-in batteries are not yet in effect. Consequently, the Solarbank 4 Pro currently requires professional installation, being hardwired into a property's consumer unit by a certified Part P-registered electrician to access its full 2,500W continuous output. The system is G98 type-tested and listed in the Energy Networks Association’s Connect Direct Device Database, ensuring compliance for professional installations. Looking ahead, the hardware is designed for future plug-in compatibility, meaning that if UK regulations expand to include battery storage, the functionality can be activated without the need for system replacement.
The Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 Pro is now available for pre-order via the Anker SOLIX website, with the expansion battery priced at £1,299. Each pre-order includes a complimentary Smart Meter Gen 2. Although there isn't a definitive timeline for when UK regulations might permit direct plug-in connections for batteries, professional installation offers an immediate pathway for households to begin storing, managing, and optimizing their energy consumption. This advancement signifies a pivotal moment in making solar power a more practical and self-sufficient energy source for the home, especially as it enables the utilization of solar energy well beyond daylight hours.
