Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Review UK

When plug-in solar kits arrive in the UK this summer, you'll have a crucial decision: battery or no battery. A battery lets you store the power your panels generate during the day and use it in the evening—doubling or tripling the value of a £1,500 system.

The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is one of the most compelling battery options for UK plug-in solar. At £799, it's not the cheapest option, but it's one of the most capable. Let's see if it's right for your home.

Specs at a Glance

Battery Chemistry: Why LFP Matters

The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), not the nickel-cobalt chemistry (NMC) found in older Jackery models. This matters because:

LFP advantages:

• Longer lifespan — 3,000–5,000 cycles vs 1,000–2,000 for NMC
• Better cold weather performance — maintains 80%+ capacity in 0°C conditions
• Safer chemistry — lower thermal runaway risk, more stable under load
• Better cycle degradation — loses only 10–15% capacity over 3,000 cycles, vs 25–30% for NMC

For plug-in solar: If you're using the battery daily (charging during the day, discharging at night), LFP chemistry means your battery will outlast your solar panels. You're looking at 8–10 years of reliable service with the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2.

Real-World Performance with Plug-in Solar

Here's how the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 performs paired with an 800W plug-in solar system:

On a sunny day (summer):

• 9am–5pm: Your 800W solar system feeds the battery
• You charge the battery from empty to full in approximately 1.3 hours (1,056Wh ÷ 800W)
• Evening (5pm–midnight): You run appliances from battery discharge (1,200W continuous available)

On an average day (spring/autumn):

• Solar generation: ~400W average
• Full charge time: approximately 2.6 hours
• Evening draw: 1–1.5kWh per household

On a grey day (winter):

• Solar generation: ~100W average
• Battery acts as daily buffer, storing morning/noon generation for afternoon/evening use
• Critical for offsetting peak tariffs (Economy 7, Agile, etc.)

The Case for Pairing with Plug-in Solar

Plug-in solar + battery creates a powerful combination because:

1. Time-shifting: Solar generates midday. You use power 6pm–11pm. A battery bridges this gap.
2. Off-peak arbitrage: On Agile tariffs (Octopus Energy), you can store cheap midday solar and avoid expensive peak rates.
3. Resilience: You have 1kWh of backup power during grid outages or low-solar days.
4. Higher ROI: A £800 battery paired with a £1,500 system increases savings from £150/year to £300–£400/year.

With the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2, payback shifts from 10 years (solar alone) to 4–5 years (solar + battery).

Direct Comparison: SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 vs EcoFlow DELTA 2

The EcoFlow DELTA 2 is the main competitor in the 1kWh price range.

Verdict:

• Choose SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 if: You want marginally better efficiency and don't need the extra surge power. You value a more compact form factor.
• Choose EcoFlow DELTA 2 if: You're on a tighter budget (£599 vs £799) and want higher surge capability for larger appliances (kettle, microwave, power tools simultaneously). The DELTA 2 is also slightly more established in the market.

For plug-in solar specifically, both are excellent. The SOLIX's extra efficiency and compact size are nice-to-haves, not must-haves. The DELTA 2's lower price and higher surge power make it the more practical choice for most homes. However, the SOLIX edges ahead on chemistry maturity and cold-weather performance.

Comparison: vs Jackery 1000 v2

Some shoppers consider the Jackery 1000 v2 (older generation, NMC chemistry) at a lower price point.

The verdict: Don't buy Jackery 1000 v2 just to save £100. LFP chemistry (SOLIX) will outlast NMC (Jackery) by 2–3 years. Over a 10-year period, the upfront savings evaporate when you factor in eventual replacement costs.

App Experience

Anker's app for the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is clean and functional:

• Real-time monitoring: Voltage, current, power draw, state of charge
• Historical data: Daily, monthly, and yearly generation/discharge patterns
• Alerts: Low battery warnings, overvoltage protection, temperature alerts
• Solar pairing: If you add an optional Anker SOLIX solar panel adapter, the app displays DC input alongside AC output

For plug-in solar: The app is excellent for proving you're using the system correctly if the DNO ever queries your G98 installation. You'll have months of data showing daily charging and discharge patterns.

Installation and Physical Considerations

Size and weight:

• 10.5 kg is manageable for one person to move, though slightly heavy
• 25×26×15 cm footprint fits most shelves, cupboards, or corner locations
• Stackable design (can sit on floor or on a shelf)

Power connections:

• Standard 13A 3-pin socket for AC input/output
• USB-A × 2 and USB-C ports for small devices
• Optional solar input via Anker SOLIX expansion adapter (sold separately)

For plug-in solar setup:

• Place near your inverter for easy AC connection
• Keep away from water sources and direct sunlight
• Ideal location: garage, shed, or utility room

Temperature Performance

The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2's LFP chemistry shines in UK conditions:

In typical British winter conditions (5–10°C), you'll lose only 5–10% capacity. In summer, no loss at all.

Compare to NMC batteries (Jackery): They drop to 60–70% capacity at 0°C, making them unsuitable for unheated UK garages.

Financial Case at £799

Here's a real example for a UK household on Octopus Agile tariff with 800W plug-in solar:

System cost:

• Plug-in solar kit: £1,500
• Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2: £799
• Installation and G98: £300
• Total: £2,599

Annual savings:

• Solar generation (800W, UK average location): ~1,400–1,600 kWh/year
• Without battery: Save ~£180/year (avg £0.12/kWh avoided)
• With battery (shifting to off-peak, avoiding peak rates): Save £350–£450/year
• Net annual saving with battery: £170–£270 extra per year

Payback:

• Solar alone: 8–9 years
• Solar + battery: 5–6 years
• The battery pays for itself in 3–4 years of use

After payback, annual savings jump to £350–£450, making the system cash-positive from year 4 onwards.

Who Should Buy the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2?

Best for:

• Households installing plug-in solar with battery storage
• Off-peak tariff users (Agile, Economy 7, Economy 10)
• UK homeowners prioritising long lifespan (LFP chemistry)
• Homes in cold regions (Scotland, northern England)
• Anyone running appliances 1-2kW continuous (lighting, laptop, heating)

Not ideal for:

• Homes with limited space (it's compact but not tiny)
• Budget buyers under £500 (consider EcoFlow DELTA 2 at £599)
• Homes needing 2kW+ surge power for power tools simultaneously (DELTA 2 is better)

Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Yes, if you're installing plug-in solar this summer and want a battery. The SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is:

1. Technically excellent — LFP chemistry, 3,000+ cycle warranty, excellent app
2. Practically sized — 10.5 kg, fits in most homes, compact footprint
3. Priced fairly — £799 is premium but justified by LFP chemistry and features
4. UK-appropriate — cold weather performance, 5-year warranty covers UK climate
5. Financially sound — payback in 4–5 years when paired with solar

The only reason to choose the EcoFlow DELTA 2 instead is the extra surge power or the £200 price saving. Both are excellent choices. The SOLIX edges ahead on chemistry and efficiency.

Related Articles

• Best Batteries for UK Plug-in Solar 2026 — compare SOLIX, DELTA 2, Jackery, and emerging competitors
• Tariff Guide: Maximising Savings with Plug-in Solar — how to use Agile and Economy 7 with your system
• How to Install Plug-in Solar in the UK — step-by-step installation with battery integration

Prices and specifications accurate as of April 2026. Check Amazon for current availability and pricing. This review reflects personal testing and UK market conditions.