Import Pylontech US5000 (Boutique Backup 20 kWh) from China to Bolivia — TCO & Landed Cost
VERDICT — bounded illustrative run (Pylontech US5000 × 4 modules, nominal 19.2 kWh, Bolivia boutique backup, horizon 25 years, discount rate 8.00%, evidence dated 2026-09-21). With the buyer-supplied input vector (CapEx line items DROPPED-ITEM, opex.fixed DROPPED-ITEM, residual_value DROPPED-ITEM), the scenario model returns NPV = USD 7,733.93, total discounted benefit = USD 7,733.93 over 25 years, undiscounted benefit = USD 16,815.62. Simple payback = 0.0 yr, discounted payback = 0.0 yr, LCOS = USD 0.0000 / kWh. Because every cost input is explicitly DROPPED-ITEM, payback and LCOS reduce to zero by construction and the result is a benefit-only PV; a real purchase decision requires the CapEx and OpEx line items to be filled on the RFQ below.
| Decision parameter | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment family | Pylontech US5000 (×4), LFP, 48 V nominal per module | Real OEM product, datasheet cited below |
| Destination | Bolivia (importer of record TBD) | HS 8507.60 candidate |
| Horizon | 25 years | Per scenario model |
| Discount rate | 8.00 % | Per scenario model |
| NPV | USD 7,733.93 | Benefit-only because costs are DROPPED-ITEM |
| Simple payback | 0.0 yr | Undefined at zero cost — model reports 0.0 |
| Discounted payback | 0.0 yr | Same reason |
| LCOS | USD 0.0000 / kWh | Zero cost → division yields 0 |
| Evidence date | 2026-09-21 | All citations accessed this date |
| Limitation | CapEx[0..8], OpEx.fixed, residual value, charge cost, value/kWh discharged: all DROPPED-ITEM | Return to model with buyer inputs to obtain a real landed cost |
RFQ & OEM Datasheet
Equipment identity (resolves R12)
| Parameter | Value | OEM source |
|---|---|---|
| OEM legal name | Pylontech Technologies Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, CN) | Company page: https://www.pylontech.com/index.php/about/aboutus.html |
| Model designation | US5000 (LFP, 48 V nominal, 4.8 kWh per module; 4 modules = 19.2 kWh nominal system in the boutique-backup configuration) | Datasheet: https://www.pylontech.com/upload/202304/US5000%20Datasheet%20V1.8.pdf |
| Cell chemistry | LFP (LiFePO4) | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| Nominal per-module energy | 4.8 kWh (48 V × 100 Ah) | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| Round-trip efficiency (DC-side) | ≥ 95% (manufacturer spec) | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| Cycle life (to 80% retained capacity) | > 6,000 cycles at 25 °C, 0.5 C, DoD 80% | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| Operating temperature range | Charge 0 °C to 50 °C; discharge −10 °C to 50 °C | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| Standards referenced in OEM datasheet | IEC 62619:2017, IEC 61000-6-1, IEC 61000-6-3, UN 38.3 | Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8, compliance section |
The model designation is the OEM's own (US5000); the boutique-backup 20 kWh nominal is built from 4 modules. Tradvolt does not rebrand or rebadge the unit.
TCO summary — scenario model output (verbatim)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Currency | USD |
| Horizon (years) | 25 |
| Discount rate | 8.00 % |
| Total undiscounted cost (USD) | 0.0000 |
| Total discounted cost / PV of costs (USD) | 0.0000 |
| Total undiscounted benefit (USD) | 16,815.62 |
| Total discounted benefit (USD) | 7,733.93 |
| NPV (USD) | 7,733.93 |
| IRR | n/a |
| Simple payback (year) | 0.0000 |
| Discounted payback (year) | 0.0000 |
| LCOS (USD/kWh) | 0.0000 |
Year-by-year cash flow — scenario model output (verbatim)
| Year | Cost (USD) | Benefit (USD) | Net (USD) | Discount factor | Discounted net (USD) | Energy (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 1.00 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
| 1 | 0.0000 | 848.13 | 848.13 | 0.9259 | 785.30 | 6,570.00 |
| 2 | 0.0000 | 831.16 | 831.16 | 0.8573 | 712.59 | 6,438.60 |
| 3 | 0.0000 | 814.54 | 814.54 | 0.7938 | 646.61 | 6,309.83 |
| 4 | 0.0000 | 798.25 | 798.25 | 0.7350 | 586.74 | 6,183.63 |
| 5 | 0.0000 | 782.29 | 782.29 | 0.6806 | 532.41 | 6,059.96 |
| 6 | 0.0000 | 766.64 | 766.64 | 0.6302 | 483.11 | 5,938.76 |
| 7 | 0.0000 | 751.31 | 751.31 | 0.5835 | 438.38 | 5,819.98 |
| 8 | 0.0000 | 736.28 | 736.28 | 0.5403 | 397.79 | 5,703.58 |
| 9 | 0.0000 | 721.56 | 721.56 | 0.5002 | 360.96 | 5,589.51 |
| 10 | 0.0000 | 707.12 | 707.12 | 0.4632 | 327.54 | 5,477.72 |
| 11 | 0.0000 | 692.98 | 692.98 | 0.4289 | 297.21 | 5,368.17 |
| 12 | 0.0000 | 679.12 | 679.12 | 0.3971 | 269.69 | 5,260.80 |
| 13 | 0.0000 | 665.54 | 665.54 | 0.3677 | 244.72 | 5,155.59 |
| 14 | 0.0000 | 652.23 | 652.23 | 0.3405 | 222.06 | 5,052.48 |
| 15 | 0.0000 | 639.18 | 639.18 | 0.3152 | 201.50 | 4,951.43 |
| 16 | 0.0000 | 626.40 | 626.40 | 0.2919 | 182.84 | 4,852.40 |
| 17 | 0.0000 | 613.87 | 613.87 | 0.2703 | 165.91 | 4,755.35 |
| 18 | 0.0000 | 601.60 | 601.60 | 0.2502 | 150.55 | 4,660.24 |
| 19 | 0.0000 | 589.56 | 589.56 | 0.2317 | 136.61 | 4,567.04 |
| 20 | 0.0000 | 577.77 | 577.77 | 0.2145 | 123.96 | 4,475.70 |
| 21 | 0.0000 | 566.22 | 566.22 | 0.1987 | 112.48 | 4,386.18 |
| 22 | 0.0000 | 554.89 | 554.89 | 0.1839 | 102.07 | 4,298.46 |
| 23 | 0.0000 | 543.79 | 543.79 | 0.1703 | 92.62 | 4,212.49 |
| 24 | 0.0000 | 532.92 | 532.92 | 0.1577 | 84.04 | 4,128.24 |
| 25 | 0.0000 | 522.26 | 522.26 | 0.1460 | 76.26 | 4,045.68 |
Year-1 energy 6,570 kWh = 19.2 kWh × 0.95 × 1 cycle/day × 360 days/year (computed input vector). Year-on-year decline tracks the computed degradation factor (asset.ess.degradation_pct_per_year).
Explicit bounded model assumptions
| Model input | Value in this run | Status |
|---|---|---|
| opex.fixed (USD/yr) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply to obtain a real OpEx line |
| residual_value.amount (USD) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| residual_value.year (yr) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[0].amount (EXW unit, CN) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply via RFQ |
| capex[1].amount (ocean freight) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[2].amount (marine insurance) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[3].amount (road transport to BO) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[4].amount (Bolivian import duty / GA) | DROPPED-ITEM | Lookup on Aduana Nacional portal, HS 8507.60 candidate |
| capex[5].amount (Bolivian IVA on import) | DROPPED-ITEM | Lookup on SIN portal |
| capex[6].amount (consular / customs broker) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[7].amount (installation & commissioning) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| capex[8].amount (permits / interconnection) | DROPPED-ITEM | Lookup on Ministerio de Hidrocarburos y Energía portal |
| replacements[0].amount (augmentation reserve) | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply |
| asset.ess.usable_pct | Per OEM datasheet V1.8 (DoD 80%, 0.95 η) | Sourced (see Equipment identity) |
| asset.ess.round_trip_eff | 0.95 | Sourced: Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 |
| asset.ess.degradation_pct_per_year | ≈ 2.0%/yr (implied to fit Year-25 4,045.68 kWh vs Year-1 6,570 kWh) | Model assumption, internally consistent with the cash-flow table |
| asset.ess.charge_cost_per_kwh | DROPPED-ITEM | Buyer must supply site tariff |
| asset.ess.value_per_kwh_discharged | Implied from Year-1 benefit 848.13 USD / 6,570 kWh ≈ 0.1291 USD/kWh (displaced diesel) | Model assumption, anchored to ANH BOB/L |
Items marked DROPPED-ITEM are not computed facts; they are explicit placeholders the buyer must supply before the scenario model can return a real landed cost and a meaningful LCOS / payback.
Compliance, certifications & standards (third-party document URLs)
| Standard / certificate | Scope | Specific document URL (third-party, not Tradvolt-hosted) |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 62619:2017 (secondary lithium cells for industrial applications) | Cell safety | IEC Webstore publication page: https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/31050 |
| IEC 61000-6-1 / IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) | Module EMC | IEC Webstore (IEC 61000-6-1): https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/25086 ; (IEC 61000-6-3): https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/25087 |
| UL 1973 (batteries for stationary applications) | Module safety (US) | UL Product iQ record search: https://www.ul.com/product-iq-database/ (search "Pylontech US5000") |
| UN 38.3 (transport of lithium batteries) | Transport test summary | UNECE Manual of Tests and Criteria, 8th revised edition: https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods |
| WEEE / RoHS (EU) | EU conformity (where applicable) | EUR-Lex Directive 2012/19/EU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2012/19/oj ; Directive 2011/65/EU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/65/oj |
| Bolivia — homologación / ente regulador | Local grid interconnection | Ministerio de Hidrocarburos y Energía: https://www.mhe.gob.bo/ |
Certificate numbers are NOT invented on this page. Tradvolt returns the issuing body's record reference on RFQ.
Duty-stack — Bolivia (HS national line)
| Levy | Rate | Specific document URL (third-party) | HS code (national line) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivian import duty (Gravamen Arancelario / DAI) | PENDING — exact rate to be returned on RFQ | Aduana Nacional de Bolivia — Arancel Aduanero de Importaciones: https://www.aduana.gob.bo/ | Candidate 8507.60 (lithium-ion accumulators) |
| Bolivian VAT (IVA) on import | PENDING — exact rate to be returned on RFQ | Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN): https://www.impuestos.gob.bo/ | Same HS line |
| Specific consumption / excise (ICE), if applicable | PENDING — confirm applicability to ESS | SIN: https://www.impuestos.gob.bo/ | Same HS line |
| Bilateral program / FTA relief | PENDING — confirm applicability (Bolivia–ACE bilateral status as of 2026-09-21) | Aduana Nacional — Tratados: https://www.aduana.gob.bo/ | Same HS line |
| USITC HTS reference (for cross-check, not the Bolivian tariff) | Reference only | USITC HTS, Chapter 85, heading 8507.60: https://hts.usitc.gov/?query=8507.60 | Reference |
| EU TARIC reference (for cross-check, not the Bolivian tariff) | Reference only | EUR-Lex / TARIC heading 8507.60: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Taric=850760&Lang=en | Reference |
Diesel-displacement anchor (the only sourced benefit input in this run)
| Input | Value | Source URL |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel retail price (BOB/L), Bolivia national average, 2026-09-21 | Anchor for value_per_kwh_discharged | Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) — Precio de referencia diésel: https://www.anh.gob.bo/ |
| Small-genset specific fuel consumption (L/kWh) | 0.30 L/kWh (rule-of-thumb; not a sourced fact) | Model assumption — confirm on site |
FAQ
1. What is the HS code used for the Pylontech US5000 import into Bolivia?
Candidate: HS 8507.60 (lithium-ion accumulators). For a built-up BESS rack some declarants use 8504.40 (static converters) or 8537 (boards/panels); the exact Bolivian national line must be confirmed at import on the Aduana Nacional de Bolivia portal.
2. Is the Pylontech US5000 IEC / UL / CE certified?
The Pylontech US5000 datasheet V1.8 lists conformance to IEC 62619:2017 (cells), IEC 61000-6-1 and IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC), and a UN 38.3 transport test summary. A UL 1973 listing is searchable in the UL Product iQ database. CE conformity for the EU market relies on the same IEC suite plus the EU DoC; specific certificate numbers are returned on RFQ.
3. Why is the LCOS shown as USD 0.0000 / kWh?
Because every CapEx line item, the fixed OpEx, the residual value, and the per-kWh charge cost are explicitly marked DROPPED-ITEM in the input vector for this run. With zero cost and the computed benefit stream, the model returns a benefit-only PV of USD 7,733.93, payback of 0.0 yr, and LCOS of 0.0 USD/kWh by construction. This is a property of the input vector, not a forecast.
4. What incoterms should a Bolivian buyer expect for this shipment?
Common incoterms for a CN→BO shipment: FOB Shanghai, CIF Arica/Iquique (Chile) or CIF Matarani (Peru), with onward road transport to La Paz or Santa Cruz under DAP. The buyer confirms the incoterm in the RFQ.
Request a Quote (RFQ)
To convert this benefit-only NPV into a real landed cost and payback, Tradvolt needs the buyer to fill the following on the RFQ form at /rfq/:
product_sku— e.g., Pylontech US5000 × 4qty+unit— e.g., 4 modules (19.2 kWh)incoterm— e.g., FOB Shanghai, CIF Arica, DAP La Paztarget_cert— e.g., IEC 62619, UL 1973destination_country— Boliviahs_code— 8507.60 (or as declared)diesel_price_anchor— ANH BOB/L at sitesite_tariff_USD_per_kwh— for charge-cost lineresidual_value_year+residual_value_USDcapex line items(EXW, ocean freight, marine insurance, road transport, GA, IVA, broker, install, permits)buyer_email,buyer_company