Top 5 BESS Brands for PV Hybrid Systems in 2025
Introduction
Selecting the right Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a critical step in designing an efficient solar hybrid system. These energy storage units are the heart of any successful hybrid PV installation, demanding a careful balance of technical reliability and long service life.
At Elum Energy, our controllers operate in multi-brand environments, managing storage systems from a wide range of manufacturers. We’ve analyzed our global projects from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, revealing the BESS manufacturers most frequently integrated alongside ePowerControl this past year.
Here are the top Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) brands to keep an eye on this year.
1. Huawei
With 24.4% of our quotations over the past year, Huawei BESS solutions have appeared the most frequently in Elum-controlled projects. They were particularly popular in C&I microgrids and hybrid applications, where strong monitoring, stable communications, and reliable LFP-based storage are required.
Why Huawei appears often in Elum projects:
- Good energy utilisation / efficiency / long life
- Modularity and flexibility (scalable for C&I to medium-size storage)
- Lower O&M, simpler operations & install, especially in remote or challenging environments
Example of a real life use case: On a large solar installation in Italy, ePowerControl MC was implemented as a multi-brand energy management solution to efficiently control solar generation and battery storage from Huawei. Read the full use case.
2. Sinexcel
Sinexcel has retained 22% of our quotations over the past year. Sinexcel was typically seen in Elum projects involving industrial facilities with fluctuating loads, sites implementing peak-shaving strategies, and hybrid systems requiring high PCS flexibility.
Why Sinexcel appears often in Elum projects:
- Scalable PCS / modular architecture up to MW-scale
- High power conversion efficiency, modern power electronics (SiC-based), and environmental robustness
- Grid-forming and grid-support capability, plus microgrid / off-grid readiness
Example of a real life use case: On a plant in Quillagua, Chile, Elum Energy deployed a hybrid solar + battery + diesel system, integrating 1.4 MWh Sinexcel BESS with 827 kWp of PV and backup diesel generators. Managed by Elum’s ePowerControl MC, the system optimizes solar usage, provides reliable backup, and reduces fuel consumption. Read the full project story.
3. ATESS
ATESS has retained 17.4% of our quotations over the past year. Clients deploying Elum-managed systems favor ATESS for its cost efficiency, flexibility, and reliable performance. As well as their BESS, ATESS hybrid inverters and PCS units are frequently used in both off-grid and grid-tied configurations.
Why ATESS appears often in Elum projects:
- Cost-effective solution for small/medium systems, simplicity, lower BOS and installation efforts
- Multiple operating modes for different objectives (peak shaving; self-consumption; grid / off-grid / generator hybrid)
- Flexible configuration and system scalability (small to medium C&I, up to MW-scale)
Example of a real life use case: On a manufacturing facility in South Africa, Elum Energy deployed ePowerControl MC along with two 500 kW ATESS PCS, providing a total battery capacity of 1,250 kWh. This setup allows the system to deliver up to 1 MW of instantaneous power while storing enough energy to supply the facility for extended periods, enabling efficient load management, peak shaving, and reliable backup. Read the full project story.
4. SMA
SMA accounted for 8.1% of our quotations over the past year. The brand remains popular among clients who prioritize technical integrity, long-term reliability, and seamless integration with Elum’s controllers. SMA’s proven track record in both on-grid and off-grid applications makes it a trusted choice for projects where stable PV, diesel, and storage coordination is essential.
Why SMA appears often in Elum projects:
- High-power, grid-scale storage inverter platform for large/utility projects Advanced grid-support & grid-forming features (ancillary services, black-start, voltage/frequency control)
- Designed for maximum flexibility, with compatibility across multiple battery technologies and seamless integration into both new and existing PV installations
Example of real-life use case: A remote village in Haiti is powered by a hybrid system combining PV, a 36 kWh BESS with 6 SMA Sunny Island battery inverters, and a diesel generator. Read the full project story.
5. Tesla
Tesla retained 6.9% of our quotations over the past year, a notable figure given the competitive landscape. This speaks not just to their name recognition, but for the proven reliability, long lifecycle, and seamless integration of its energy storage solutions in Elum-managed systems.
Why Tesla appears often in Elum projects:
- Turnkey, fully integrated, factory-assembled BESS solution that dramatically reduces deployment time & engineering complexity
- High energy density and scalability, optimized for large-scale / high-capacity needs
- Fast deployment and ideal for tight project schedules or rapid grid-support rollout
Example of a real-life use case: On a 4 MWp solar-plus-storage plant in the Comoros, Elum Energy deployed a system using two Tesla power‑packs (BESS) in combination with PV and diesel gensets. The setup with ePowerControl allows seamless switching between grid-tied and islanded BESS grid-forming modes. Read the full project story.
Disclaimer: Data is based on Elum Energy quotations and integrated hybrid PV projects from 2024–2025. This is not a universal market ranking. It is a data-driven reflection of the equipment most commonly configured, commissioned, and operated within Elum-controlled (ePowerControl) hybrid systems across Africa, LATAM, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
