San Diego-based electric battery manufacturing company, UNIGRID, has released the first units of its sodium-ion residential energy storage system in Europe ahead of its planned rollout in the United States.
This marks the commercial debut of the startup’s lithium-free home battery technology. The initial Na+Casa systems have been installed in homes across Europe while US residential installations are expected by the end of 2026 after the technology meets additional North American compliance requirements.
The launch comes as more homeowners pair rooftop solar with battery storage to reduce electricity bills and maintain backup power during grid outages. UNIGRID says its sodium-ion system is designed to provide a safer and longer-lasting alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Na+Casa is built on the company’s proprietary NCO sodium-ion chemistry and is designed to operate for 25 years, matching the expected lifespan of most residential solar panel installations.
The battery has a storage capacity of 9.25 kWh and is compatible with most existing hybrid inverters, allowing homeowners to add battery storage without major system modifications.
The company also says the battery reduces reliance on lithium, cobalt and nickel by using sodium, an abundant raw material that could help build a more resilient battery supply chain.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Na+Casa is designed to eliminate thermal propagation, a chain reaction that can cause battery cells to overheat and spread fire. The company says this improves safety for residential installations while providing a competitive alternative to today’s lithium ion systems.
The battery is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 C to 60 C (-40 F to 140 F), allowing it to function in regions with freezing winters, extreme heat and changing weather conditions.
UNIGRID also says the system is priced competitively with lithiumion batteries currently on the market. “As residential energy bills rise — especially during extreme weather events such as the record heatwave we are seeing around the world — homeowners need storage that is safe, reliable, and financially sound,” said Darren H. S. Tan, CEO and co-founder of UNIGRID.
