Calculate battery lifetime cost per delivered kWh or reverse a target into a maximum purchase price using capacity, depth of discharge, a delivered-energy factor, cycles, maintenance, and residual value.
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Battery Cost Formula
The calculator models lifetime battery cost per delivered kWh. Delivered lifetime energy = nominal kWh × depth of discharge/100 × delivered-energy factor/100 × cycles at that depth. Cost per delivered kWh = (purchase + lifetime maintenance − residual value) ÷ delivered lifetime energy. The reverse mode solves maximum purchase price = target cost × lifetime energy − maintenance + residual.
Choose an energy-capacity or amp-hour mode, enter the visible required values, then select Calculate. Amp-hour modes use nominal kWh = Ah × V ÷ 1,000. Optional blank maintenance and residual values mean zero; blank cycles/day means 1.
This is a simple undiscounted battery-component estimate. It excludes charging electricity, financing, degradation, calendar-life limits and replacements. Cycles must be rated at the chosen depth; the energy factor is applied to nominal capacity × depth and must not double-count losses already included in a rating. The assumed defaults are illustrative. It is not a complete levelized cost of storage or a profitability prediction.
The following formulas describe upfront cost per nominal capacity as background, a different denominator from lifetime delivered energy:
BC = BS {kWh} * CPU
If you know the total battery cost and the battery size, the calculator can solve for cost per unit:
CPU = BC / BS {kWh}
If you know the total battery cost and the cost per unit, the calculator can solve for battery size:
BS {kWh} = BC / CPU
When you enter battery size in Wh or MWh, the value is first converted to kWh:
BS {kWh} = BS * conversion factor
- BC = total battery cost, in dollars
- BS = battery size in the unit you selected
- BSkWh = battery size converted to kilowatt-hours
- CPU = cost per unit of battery capacity, in dollars per kWh
- conversion_factor = the multiplier used to convert Wh, kWh, or MWh into kWh
These upfront-capacity identities do not include cycle life or energy losses. For the lifetime calculator, select the desired result explicitly and fill its required fields.
Battery Size Unit Conversions
Battery cost is usually compared using dollars per kilowatt-hour, so battery capacity needs to be in kWh before calculating cost.
| Input Unit | Conversion to kWh | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wh | Wh × 0.001 | 5,000 Wh = 5 kWh |
| kWh | kWh × 1 | 10 kWh = 10 kWh |
| MWh | MWh × 1,000 | 2 MWh = 2,000 kWh |
Illustrative Upfront Cost per kWh Ranges
The following retained ranges are illustrative context, not current market quotations or lifetime delivered-energy costs. Obtain a dated supplier quote for an actual comparison.
| Battery Use Case | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small consumer battery packs | $200 to $800 per kWh | Often higher because of packaging, electronics, and small production size. |
| Home energy storage | $400 to $1,000+ per kWh | Installed cost may include inverter, labor, permits, and control equipment. |
| Electric vehicle battery pack | $100 to $250 per kWh | Pack-level cost depends on chemistry, scale, cooling, and design. |
| Utility-scale storage | $150 to $500+ per kWh | Full project cost may include grid connection, containers, inverters, and site work. |
Example Calculations
Lifetime example: 10 kWh × 100% depth × 100% energy factor × 6,000 cycles = 60,000 delivered kWh. With a $6,000 purchase and zero maintenance/residual, battery cost is $0.10 per delivered kWh. Reversing a $0.10 target gives a $6,000 maximum price. The next two examples illustrate upfront cost per nominal capacity only.
Example 1: Calculate total battery cost
You have a 13.5 kWh battery and the cost is $600 per kWh.
BC = 13.5 * 600
BC = 8100
The estimated battery cost is $8,100.
Example 2: Calculate cost per kWh
You have a battery system that costs $12,000 and has a total size of 20 kWh.
CPU = 12000 / 20
CPU = 600
The cost per unit of battery capacity is $600 per kWh.
FAQ
What does cost per kWh mean for a battery?
Cost per kWh means the price for each kilowatt-hour of battery capacity. For example, a 10 kWh battery that costs $5,000 has a cost of $500 per kWh. This makes it easier to compare batteries of different sizes.
Should battery cost include installation?
It depends on what you are trying to compare. If you want the cost of the battery hardware only, use the battery price without installation. If you want the real project cost, include installation, inverter equipment, wiring, permits, and any other required parts.
Why does the calculator convert everything to kWh?
Battery prices are commonly expressed in dollars per kWh. Converting Wh and MWh to kWh keeps the calculation consistent and prevents unit errors. For example, 1 MWh is 1,000 kWh, so using MWh directly without conversion would give the wrong cost.
