| 1 |
Cell and battery chemistry |
Confirm the cell chemistry, nominal voltage, usable capacity, recommended depth of discharge, cycle-life test conditions, and operating temperature range. |
The quotation should state whether the capacity is nominal or usable. Cycle-life claims should identify test temperature, charge/discharge rate, end-of-life capacity threshold, and depth of discharge. Lithium iron phosphate is commonly selected for stationary storage because of its thermal stability and long cycle-life potential. |
Capacity is advertised without test conditions; cells are described only as “high quality”; or the supplier will not provide a cell specification sheet and batch traceability. |
0–10 |
| 2 |
Safety design and certifications |
Check the battery management system, overcharge and over-discharge protection, short-circuit protection, thermal monitoring, contactors, fuses, enclosure rating, and emergency shutdown method. |
Request applicable test reports and declarations for the destination market. Common references include UN 38.3 for lithium battery transport testing, IEC 62619 for industrial lithium secondary batteries, IEC 62133-2 for portable sealed secondary cells and batteries where applicable, and electrical safety or grid requirements specified by the local authority. |
A certificate number cannot be independently verified; documents describe a different model; or safety protection depends entirely on software without an independent hardware protection layer. |
0–15 |
| 3 |
Manufacturing quality control |
Evaluate incoming-cell inspection, cell matching, welding quality, insulation checks, end-of-line testing, serial-number tracking, and nonconformance procedures. |
Ask for a sample quality plan, factory acceptance test procedure, inspection records, and a certificate of conformity for each shipment. A traceable serial number should link the finished battery to its cell batch, BMS, production date, and test results. |
No documented inspection process; inconsistent labels; missing production records; or refusal to permit a reasonable pre-shipment inspection. |
0–15 |
| 4 |
Warranty and performance terms |
Review warranty duration, retained-capacity promise, throughput limit, cycle limit, ambient-temperature conditions, exclusions, claim procedure, and responsibility for shipping and labor. |
Stationary battery warranties commonly cover a defined period such as 5–10 years, but the actual obligation may be limited by energy throughput, operating conditions, or a minimum retained-capacity percentage. Require all limits to be written into the sales contract. |
“Up to” cycle-life language without a capacity guarantee; warranty starts before commissioning; broad exclusions for normal use; or no remedy, response time, or replacement policy. |
0–15 |
| 5 |
System compatibility and integration |
Confirm nominal voltage, maximum continuous and peak current, inverter compatibility, communications protocol, charge profile, grounding method, installation clearances, and grid-code requirements. |
The supplier should provide a complete electrical interface document, wiring diagram, CAN or RS-485 communication details where used, alarm definitions, Modbus register list if applicable, and a list of compatible power-conversion equipment. |
Compatibility is promised verbally; communication registers are unavailable; maximum current is confused with short-duration peak current; or the battery requires an unapproved proprietary controller. |
0–15 |
| 6 |
Technical support and service capacity |
Assess pre-sales engineering, installation training, remote diagnostics, spare-parts availability, firmware management, escalation contacts, and local service coverage. |
Request a written support service-level agreement. It should define initial response time, target troubleshooting time, replacement procedure, remote-access rules, language coverage, and availability of trained technicians in the destination region. |
Only a sales contact is available; support ends after delivery; firmware updates are undocumented; or critical spare parts have no stated availability period. |
0–15 |
| 7 |
Logistics, documentation, and total cost |
Calculate delivered cost, import duties, installation, commissioning, monitoring, maintenance, replacement, recycling, and end-of-life handling. Confirm packaging and transport documents. |
For international shipments, request the UN 38.3 test summary, safety data sheet where required, dangerous-goods classification, packing instructions, shipping marks, commercial invoice, packing list, and country-specific import documents. Compare total cost per usable kWh rather than purchase price alone. |
Hidden installation charges; incomplete dangerous-goods paperwork; unsuitable packaging; unclear ownership of customs delays; or no documented recycling and end-of-life process. |
0–15 |