Choosing the right number of lithium batteries for a 10kVA inverter is one of the most important decisions for anyone planning a reliable backup system—whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or someone working closely with a solar products manufacturer, exporter, or supplier. The battery capacity you pair with your inverter directly affects backup time, performance, charging efficiency, and long-term system health.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know in a simple, practical, and friendly way—so you can confidently choose the right lithium battery setup for your 10kVA inverter.

Understanding a 10kVA Inverter

Before calculating the number of lithium batteries required, it’s important to understand what a 10kVA inverter actually means.

A 10kVA inverter typically falls in the higher capacity category used in:

• Commercial shops

• Small industries

• Homes with high power requirements

• Offices

• Clinics and laboratories

If the inverter is from a solar inverter manufacturer or online UPS manufacturer, the input battery voltage configuration will be clearly mentioned on the product specification sheet. This is where everything begins.

Battery Voltage Requirement of a 10kVA Inverter

Every inverter has a DC input voltage. This rating tells you how many batteries you need to connect in series to match the inverter’s requirement.

Most 10kVA inverters come in one of these configurations:

1. 48V DC Input

Rare for 10kVA, but exists in some lithium-inverter systems.

2. 96V DC Input

Common for mid-level commercial 10kVA systems.

3. 120V DC or 180V DC Input

Frequently used in high-efficiency 10kVA models.

4. 240V DC Input

Used in strong industrial-grade inverters or online UPS systems.

The exact configuration depends on the brand—especially if the inverter is manufactured by a solar inverter manufacturer, online UPS manufacturer, or EV charger manufacturer who may build systems with custom voltage setups.

How to Calculate the Number of Lithium Batteries Needed?

Lithium batteries usually come in 12.8V (12V) nominal voltage. Some manufacturers—especially lithium ion battery manufacturers—also offer 24V, 48V, and 51.2V battery packs.

The formula is very simple:

Number of Batteries = Inverter DC Voltage ÷ Battery Voltage

Let’s break it down with examples.

Example: If the Inverter Requires 48V DC

Using a 12.8V lithium battery:

• 48V ÷ 12.8V ≈ 4 batteries in series

If using a 48V lithium battery pack:

• Only 1 battery pack is needed

Example: If the Inverter Requires 96V DC

Using a 12.8V lithium battery:

• 96V ÷ 12.8V ≈ 8 batteries in series

Using a 48V lithium pack:

• 96V ÷ 48V = 2 battery packs in series

Example: If the Inverter Requires 120V DC

Using a 12.8V lithium battery:

• 120V ÷ 12.8V ≈ 10 batteries in series

Using a 48V lithium pack:

• 120V ÷ 48V = 3 packs in series (with slight voltage balancing requirements)

Example: If the Inverter Requires 240V DC

Using a 12.8V lithium battery:

• 240V ÷ 12.8V ≈ 19 or 20 batteries in series

These configurations are used in:

• Industrial inverters

• Online UPS systems

• Large telecom-grade solutions

• EV charging support systems

Such setups are usually supplied by large solar products manufacturers or online UPS manufacturers.

How Many Lithium Batteries Do Most 10kVA Inverters Use?

In the majority of cases, 10kVA inverters require 96V or 120V DC input, so you will typically need:

Using 12.8V Lithium Batteries (Standard Packs):

• 8 batteries (for 96V systems)

• 10 batteries (for 120V systems)

Using 48V Lithium Battery Packs:

• 2 batteries in series (for 96V systems)

• 3 batteries in series (for 120V systems)

These are the most common and practical combinations available globally.

What Battery Capacity (Ah or Wh) Should You Choose?

Just knowing the number of batteries is not enough—you must also choose the right capacity based on your backup requirements.

Lithium batteries come in capacities like:

• 50Ah

• 75Ah

• 100Ah

• 200Ah

For a 10kVA inverter, the most recommended lithium battery capacities are:

1. 48V 100Ah Lithium Battery Pack

Perfect for:

• Offices

• Homes

• Shops

2. 48V 150Ah or 200Ah Lithium Battery Pack

Suitable for:

• Small industries

• Clinics

• Restaurants

• Commercial establishments

If your inverter runs from a solar inverter manufacturer, choosing the right capacity ensures smooth charging and long cycle life—especially when solar charging is involved.

Backup Time Example (For Better Understanding)

Let’s assume:

• Load running = 4kW

• Battery setup = 48V 100Ah × 2 packs = 96V 100Ah

• Total usable energy = 96V × 100Ah = 9600Wh (approx.)

Lithium batteries offer 90–95% usable energy.
So actual usable energy ≈ 9000 Wh

Backup time = 9000 Wh ÷ 4000 W = approx. 2.25 hours

If you use a 150Ah setup, backup increases proportionally.

Why Lithium Batteries Are Best for a 10kVA Inverter

I always recommend lithium batteries for powerful systems because they offer:

• Longer life cycles

• Faster charging

• High depth of discharge

• Better efficiency

• Zero maintenance

• Lightweight design

• Stable performance even during heavy load

Most lithium ion battery manufacturers also ensure built-in BMS protection, which eliminates risks like overcharging or overheating.

Series vs. Parallel: What’s Better?

With 10kVA inverters, series connection is almost always required because:

• It matches the inverter’s DC voltage

• Ensures stable performance

• Reduces current flow

• Lowers heat generation

Parallel connections are rarely needed unless you’re increasing capacity, not voltage.

Important Tips Before Buying Lithium Batteries for 10kVA Inverter

Here are a few points I always highlight for customers, businesses, and bulk buyers:

• Choose batteries only from a trusted lithium ion battery manufacturer

• Ensure the inverter and battery are compatible

• Check the inverter’s maximum charging current

• Avoid mixing old and new batteries

• Prefer batteries with built-in BMS

• Look for warranty of at least 5–8 years

• Ask whether the manufacturer is also an exporter or supplier—it ensures quality compliance

This helps you avoid performance issues, warranty problems, and safety risks.

Final Summary: How Many Lithium Batteries Do You Need for a 10kVA Inverter?

Here’s a quick recap:

• 96V inverter: 8×12.8V batteries OR 2×48V battery packs

• 120V inverter: 10×12.8V batteries OR 3×48V battery packs

• 240V inverter: 19–20×12.8V batteries OR 5×48V packs

The exact number depends on the inverter’s DC input voltage, not its kVA rating.

If you’re buying from a solar products manufacturer, tubular battery manufacturer, supplier, or online UPS manufacturer, always ask for the inverter model’s technical datasheet.