Battery backup only

Sol ark was my first thought - but then I just got thinking if you're paying for capabilities that you aren't using. If you think about it, it is kind of strange how battery backup only doesn't really seem to be a thing.
 
Overpaying for capabilities is not really a thing. They are all super techno computers. Just that Tesla et al have chosen not to enable many of the possible features but Sol Ark has.
 
electrofelon said:
If you were doing battery backup for a house, no PV, what product(s) would you use? Say not very big, maybe 15-20 KWH of storage
Click to expand...
I would still go with Enphase right now. Or maybe Franklin. Both have meter collars that greatly simplify doing backup for 200A or less. Of course using those may depend on the utility in your area being amenable.
 
electrofelon said:
Sol ark was my first thought - but then I just got thinking if you're paying for capabilities that you aren't using. If you think about it, it is kind of strange how battery backup only doesn't really seem to be a thing.
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, what's the real delta between full-boat and brain-dead power? Are we talking 2X-3X, or more like 1.3X?
 
gadfly56 said:
Out of curiosity, what's the real delta between full-boat and brain-dead power? Are we talking 2X-3X, or more like 1.3X?
Click to expand...
What do you mean by that? I think the Sol-Ark capabilities electrofelon is talking about are solar and generator related capabilities (that wouldn't be used in a battery only system).
 
"Brain-Dead Power" (Basic Battery Backup Only)
"Full-Boat Power" (e.g., Sol-Ark, Victron, etc.)
Delta cost difference
 
jaggedben said:
I would still go with Enphase right now. Or maybe Franklin. Both have meter collars that greatly simplify doing backup for 200A or less. Of course using those may depend on the utility in your area being amenable.
Click to expand...
In Ohio our utilities forbid any modification of the meter.
 
solarken said:
In Ohio our utilities forbid any modification of the meter.
Click to expand...
I'm sure your Ohio utilities are as obstructionist as you say. But meter collars don't modify the meter. Here we make a request for the utility to install the meter collar, they send someone out to do it. It's all very above board.
 
electrofelon said:
If you were doing battery backup for a house, no PV, what product(s) would you use? Say not very big, maybe 15-20 KWH of storage
Click to expand...
The simple answer is that I would not use a BESS just for backup. A natural gas generator is much cheaper. With a BESS you would be paying for a lot of functionality that would never be used.
 
pv_n00b said:
The simple answer is that I would not use a BESS just for backup. A natural gas generator is much cheaper. With a BESS you would be paying for a lot of functionality that would never be used.
Click to expand...
For a small (<20kwh) residential installation that isn't concerned with having all that much backup run time, the cost may be in the same ballpark or even better for the battery. Of course it makes quite a bit more sense with solar.
 
pv_n00b said:
The simple answer is that I would not use a BESS just for backup. A natural gas generator is much cheaper. With a BESS you would be paying for a lot of functionality that would never be used.
Click to expand...
jaggedben said:
For a small (<20kwh) residential installation that isn't concerned with having all that much backup run time, the cost may be in the same ballpark or even better for the battery. Of course it makes quite a bit more sense with solar.
Click to expand...
I agree with JB. That's what got me thinking about this, I mean you're probably looking at 10K minimum for a small generator installed, maybe more for gas hookup. If you're not looking to back up a lot of load, I think battery would be competitive.
 
I have a generator but really wish I could have a battery backup also for nights. Currently I just turn off the generator when we go to bed, it doesn't make sense to run it for the refrigerator and a few lights. Also, it is loud enough to disturb the neighbors.
 
I’m looking into doing more battery/generator integrated installations myself.

I am a Generac Aligned Contractor, and generator installs are kind of a specialty of mine, but like was mentioned, if you want the reefer on and the ability to turn on the bathroom lights at night, that’s a lot of wasted energy and propane or NG for such a small load.

If I could get ESS a little more affordable, I think a battery with a generator for when the whole house is running, or when the battery needs a charge, would be ideal.
 
You include periodic battery replacement cost , work out economical or not compare to propane or NG?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top