FranklinWH aPower 2
What it is, what it costs installed, and whether it is the right battery for your house.
The FranklinWH aPower 2 is a home battery that FranklinWH publishes as 15 kWh of usable capacity with 10 kW of continuous output. That is the largest single-unit capacity of the four platforms we work with, and it carries the longest warranty at 15 years.
What sets it apart is how it connects. aPower 2 is AC-coupled, which means it sits on the household side of your system and works alongside almost any existing solar inverter rather than replacing it. If you already have panels on the roof, that is usually the shortest and cleanest route to storage.
A battery does two jobs. The first is financial. Under NEM 3.0 your utility pays you far less for exported power than it charges you at peak, so storing your own generation and using it in the evening is worth more than selling it. The second is backup. When the grid goes down, the battery keeps your house running.
aPower 2 works with the aGate controller, which manages energy across solar, the grid, a generator and EV charging. Up to 15 batteries can run from one aGate for a maximum of 225 kWh, which is far more than most homes will ever need but matters if yours is the exception.
What the numbers mean
Six things worth knowing
-
15 kWh
Usable capacity
FranklinWH's published figure, and the largest single unit of the four platforms we work with. For many California homes one unit carries the evening peak and an overnight outage on essential loads without needing a second battery.
-
10 kW continuous
Output power
Continuous output determines whether you can run an air conditioner or an electric range during an outage, not just lights and a fridge. Peak output is 15 kW for 10 seconds and 25 kW for 1 second.
-
AC coupled
Clean retrofit
Because it connects on the household side, aPower 2 works alongside most existing solar inverters regardless of brand or age. That is the difference between adding a battery and rebuilding the installation.
-
185 A LRA
Motor start
FranklinWH rates aPower 2 to start a five-ton air conditioner while running other household loads. That rating is what stops you having to choose which circuits stay live when the power is out.
-
15 years
Warranty
15 years or 60 MWh of throughput, whichever comes first. Longer than Tesla and SolarEdge at 10 years and Lunar at 12.5. If you plan to cycle the battery daily against time-of-use rates, the throughput figure is the one to read.
-
LFP cells
Chemistry and app
Lithium iron phosphate cells, which are more thermally stable than the NMC chemistry in some competing batteries. The FranklinWH app shows generation, consumption and state of charge in real time.
Full specifications
| Usable capacity | 15 kWh per unit |
|---|---|
| Continuous output | 10 kW |
| Peak output | 15 kW for 10 s, 25 kW for 1 s |
| Motor start | 185 A LRA |
| Charge power | Up to 8 kW |
| Chemistry | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Coupling | AC coupled |
| Depth of discharge | 100% |
| Scales to | 15 units per aGate, 225 kWh |
| Warranty | 15 years or 60 MWh throughput |
| Operating range | -4°F to 122°F |
| Dimensions | 45.2 x 29.5 x 11.8 in |
Per the FranklinWH aPower 2 datasheet, SKU APR-10K15V2-US. Last reviewed 12 August 2026.
Being straight about it
When aPower 2 is not the right answer
- You are installing new solar at the same time. With no existing array the AC-coupling advantage disappears. Powerwall 3 has an integrated solar inverter, so a fresh build needs fewer components.
- You already run SolarEdge equipment. The SolarEdge Home Battery is DC-coupled into a system you already have, which avoids a conversion step and keeps more of your generation.
- You want capacity sized exactly to your evening load. aPower 2 comes in 15 kWh units. Lunar scales in 5 kWh blocks, so it can be sized more precisely if 15 is more than you need.
- You want the highest continuous output. Powerwall 3 is rated at 11.5 kW against 10 kW here.
Cost
What it costs, honestly
We do not publish a price, because a number without your bill attached is a guess. The installed cost of any battery depends on how much work your electrical panel needs, how far the battery sits from it, and which programs you qualify for where you live.
What we can tell you is that the federal 30% residential clean energy credit under Section 25D expired on 31 December 2025, so a cash or loan purchase in 2026 receives no federal credit. What is left depends entirely on your utility, and the amounts vary widely between PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD, LADWP and the community choice aggregators. Send us a recent bill and we will tell you exactly what is open where you live.
Questions
FranklinWH aPower 2 questions
Will the aPower 2 work with the solar panels I already have?
Almost certainly. Because it is AC-coupled it works alongside most existing solar inverters regardless of brand or age. We check compatibility before we quote anything, and we will tell you if your system is one of the exceptions.
How much does a FranklinWH aPower 2 cost in California?
We do not publish a price, because a number without your bill attached is a guess. The main variables are how many units you need, what work your electrical panel requires, the distance between the battery and the panel, and which incentives you qualify for where you live.
How many aPower 2 units do I need?
Most California homes are served by one. At 15 kWh it is the largest single unit of the four platforms we work with. The number depends on your evening consumption, whether you want whole-home or essential-loads backup, and whether you run large loads such as air conditioning or an EV charger.
Can it run my air conditioning during an outage?
Usually. FranklinWH rates it at 185 A LRA motor start and 10 kW continuous, which they state is enough to start a five-ton air conditioner while running other loads. Whether that covers your home depends on your specific equipment, which is part of what we check.
How long will it run my house in an outage?
It depends entirely on what you run. Essential loads such as the fridge, lights, internet and outlets last far longer than air conditioning or electric heat. We size the system around what you actually want backed up rather than a headline number.
What does the 15-year warranty cover?
FranklinWH states 15 years or 60 MWh of throughput, whichever comes first. Throughput is the total energy that passes through the battery over its life, so heavy daily cycling could reach the MWh limit before the 15 years. Read the FranklinWH System Limited Warranty for the full terms before you buy.
Does it work without solar?
Yes. On a time-of-use rate plan a battery can charge from the grid when power is cheap and discharge at peak. Whether that alone justifies the cost depends on your rate plan and your usage pattern, and we will tell you if it does not.
How many can I add later?
Up to 15 units on a single aGate controller, for a maximum of 225 kWh. You can add capacity over time without replacing what you already have, which is why it suits high-consumption homes, properties with well pumps and pool equipment, and small commercial sites.
Do I need a permit for a home battery in California?
Yes. A building permit and utility interconnection approval. We manage both, along with the schedule, so you are not chasing your city's permitting office or your utility.
Do you install it?
No. We do not install solar or batteries. We specify your system, secure the incentives and rebates you qualify for, and manage the project. We have partnered with experienced installers across California who handle the fulfillment.
Next step
Is aPower 2 right for your house?
Send us a recent utility bill. We will read your real usage and rate plan, check what your utility currently offers, and tell you which of the four platforms fits. Including when the cheaper one is the right answer.
Get my battery quote →Solari Storage is a California battery sales and program-qualification company. We do not install solar or batteries. Our install partners handle fulfillment.