The quest for renewable energy is accelerating, and Powow is at the forefront, committed to delivering high-quality, affordable, efficient, and reliable solutions to our partners. 

The latest addition to our purposefully simple product selection is the Alpha ESS SMILE S5 battery and inverter combo. And we believe it can be a game changer for companies looking for a powerful, flexible solution to offer their customers that doesn’t break the bank.

What sets the SMILE S5 apart is its impressive blend of innovation, performance, and safety. In this blog, we delve into the defining features of this next-gen battery solution, from its high performance ratings to its safety-first approach.

Performance and flexibility rolled into one compact and affordable package

The Alpha ESS SMILE S5 has been engineered to satisfy a range of customer needs and sets a benchmark for what a solar storage solution should offer. 

It comes with a 6,000 cycle rating and a 10-year warranty on the inverter AND battery that isn’t affected by Virtual Power Plant (VPP) participation* — promising a longer lifespan than many competitor models. But the SMILE S5 isn’t just about endurance; it’s about flexibility too.

Give your sales team more options with one streamlined solution

Its modular design can be customized with 5kWh battery modules, giving you the freedom to match the power storage capacity to each customer’s specific needs. This high adaptability extends to installation options as well, with the SMILE S5 able to be wall-mounted or ground-installed and stacked vertically or side by side. It’s not just about making installations easier — it’s about tailoring a solution to suit every customer.

Maximising energy use

Another area where the SMILE S5 punches above its weight is in its depth of discharge — 95% compared to the AlphaESS SMILE 10.1P model’s 96%. This means you can tap into the same amount of usable energy from a more compact battery, optimizing performance and energy use efficiency to ultimately use less grid energy.

More flexible panel installation

The AlphaESS SMILE S5 inverter has a higher PV short-circuit current rating which allows you to add up to 8kW of panels on a single hybrid inverter. With a 500W difference (8kW vs Alpha Smile’s 7.5kW) you can add more panels without having to install a second inverter. Plus, you have more flexibility of how many panels are added to each string. More newer panels with higher wattage and short circuit current can also be used with the Smile S5 inverter.

Safety First: The chemistry behind SMILE S5

The SMILE S5 uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry, which offers superior safety compared to lithium-ion chemistry used by some other well known battery manufacturers like Tesla and LG. The presence of iron, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms in the cathode creates robust covalent bonds, resulting in a more stable and less thermally reactive battery that’s less prone to overheat.

By contrast, lithium-ion batteries (like the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem models), with their high-energy density, may heat up rapidly and as a result can degrade faster, especially in unstable temperatures. This makes LiFePO4 a safer choice, especially for applications that require long-term, always-on VPP participation and continuous numerous recharge cycles. It’s also why we can offer a powerful 10-year warranty that holds up even with VPP participation.

Battery warranty comparison

Assumptions for all three batteries 

• 6000 cycles
• Depth of discharge 90%

	AlphaESS SMILE S5 (10.1 kWH)	LG CHEM RESU 10 (10kWh)	TESLA Powerwall 2 (13.5kWh)
Chemistry	Lithium Iron Phosphate	Lithium Ion	Lithium Ion
Cycles (with normal use)	54,540 kilowatt-hours of stored electricity	54,000kilowatt-hours of stored electricity	72,900 kilowatt-hours of stored electricity
Lifespan (@ 1 cycle per day)	16.4 years	16.4 years	16.4 years
10-year warranty level	80% of original battery capacity	60% of original battery capacity	70% of original battery capacity
VPP conditions (energy retention)	Same 10-year warranty when used for VPP	Battery warranty	Battery warranty changes from 10-year unlimited cycles to a 3,200 cycle warranty if used on VPP.

Reducing environmental impact

Finally, it’s worth noting that the SMILE S5 doesn’t just safeguard your energy needs — it helps protect our planet too. For environmentally savvy customers LiFePO4 batteries have a longer lifespan which means they don’t have to be replaced as often which helps reduce e-waste. And their lack of nickel and cobalt, the active chemical components in Lithium Ion batteries— metals that are often questionably sourced and in dwindling supply — makes them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly choice.

The future of energy is here

At Powow, our partnership with AlphaESS reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. The SMILE S5 isn’t just a high-performance battery — it’s a step towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Looking for a turnkey battery sales solution? 

At Powow, we’re more than a distributor – we’re on a mission to help Australian solar retailers sell more batteries. Join our network of partners today and experience the Powow difference. 

Contact us today to find out more about Powow, the AlphaESS SMILE S5 battery, and offers we currently are offering to our partners to help them sell more batteries and increase profits. 

Experience the power of simplicity and streamlined battery sales with Powow – where quality meets affordability, superior support and business growth.

Related Blogs

Read our other Blogs to explore the full Powow offering: 

• The most complete battery sales solution
• Battery sales training
• Backend tech support
• The Powow Virtual Power Plant advantage
• The state-of-the-art Powow Energy Management App

* Powow VPP Ts&Cs apply

The information contained in this blog is for general information purposes only. Powow products are for approved customers only. Contact Powow to confirm your eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.