Executive summary

Anker has added a new home energy storage system to its SOLIX range: the XE. Each module holds 7kWh in a LiFePO4 chassis, and units can be stacked without extra cabling. Three MPPTs support up to 33 solar panels, while a backup switch supplies up to 16kW during outages. The product targets households on dynamic electricity tariffs.  

Anker Innovations is a Chinese consumer electronics maker founded in 2011, originally known for charging accessories. SOLIX is its energy storage division, covering solar panels, power stations, and home batteries, sold in the UK and other markets through direct and installer channels.  

It has expanded its SOLIX line with the XE, a home battery aimed at properties running on time-of-use or dynamic tariffs. The core unit stores 7kWh using LiFePO4 cells, a chemistry Anker also applies across its other SOLIX products for its thermal stability. Multiple XE units can be stacked together without additional wiring between modules, letting installers scale capacity based on a household's needs. 

The system accepts solar input through three MPPTs, supporting between four and 33 panels depending on the array layout. Combined solar input is rated at up to 15kW, which Anker says allows the battery to draw from panels facing different directions on complex roofs. The company states the setup can generate as much as 15,000kWh a year, though actual output depends on location and panel configuration. 

A feature Anker highlights is the battery's ability to complete two charge-and-discharge cycles per day, rather than the single cycle typical of most home storage systems. On a dynamic tariff, this allows a household to draw power during two low-price windows instead of one, and Anker cites compatibility with Octopus Energy's tariff structure as an example. 

Backup power runs through a separate component called the Backup Auto-Switch, rated for dual 63A/100A service and up to 16kW of output. Anker says the switchover occurs at 0 milliseconds, meaning connected appliances should not lose power during a grid outage. The switch is designed to be installed in place of a household's existing meter, which Anker says shortens installation time. 

For households with existing solar arrays, Anker says no rewiring is required to connect panels to the XE. Existing panels continue charging the battery, including during a power cut, provided sunlight is available. 

On durability, Anker rates the XE for coastal and high-heat environments, citing a C5-M anti-corrosion rating and IP66 weatherproofing. The battery operates across a range of -20°C to 55°C, supported by an internal thermal management system. Anker lists seven layers of protection against fire risk and backs the unit with a 10-year warranty across 10,000 charge cycles, translating to an expected service life of 15 years.