Commercial Buildings

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Grouch

Grouch

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Are ESS / battery banks, in an AC coupled method with a solar PV array on the rooftop, typically installed in large commercial buildings, measuring 50,000 or 100,000 square feet? and if so, what type of batteries do they use? I would imagine the Tesla Powerwall or LG RESU batteries would not work in these applications, since their KWH ratings are too small and they wouldn't last too long in large commercial buildings.
 
Grouch1980 said:
Are ESS / battery banks, in an AC coupled method with a solar PV array on the rooftop, typically installed in large commercial buildings, measuring 50,000 or 100,000 square feet? and if so, what type of batteries do they use? I would imagine the Tesla Powerwall or LG RESU batteries would not work in these applications, since their KWH ratings are too small and they wouldn't last too long in large commercial buildings.
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Another issue with Powerwall is that it isn't three-phase. Tesla has the PowerPack product for commercial solutions. Generac's product also does three-phase.

The answer broadly speaking is yes, AC-Coupled PV/ ESS systems can be done in commercial buildings. But you're correct they are not likely to use the same sort of off-the-shelf products that are common in residential.
 
jaggedben said:
Another issue with Powerwall is that it isn't three-phase. Tesla has the PowerPack product for commercial solutions. Generac's product also does three-phase.

The answer broadly speaking is yes, AC-Coupled PV/ ESS systems can be done in commercial buildings. But you're correct they are not likely to use the same sort of off-the-shelf products that are common in residential.
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Great, thanks... I'll look into the PowerPack and Generac's battery... I figured there was something for commercial.

EDIT: there we go... up to 232 kWh per PowerPack (y)
 
Tesla Powerpact and Megapact are the large commercial products. Keep in mind if you want to island the system that these only provide balanced 3ph loads, no single-phase loads. You have to add equipment to supply an unbalanced system in island mode.
 
pv_n00b said:
Tesla Powerpact and Megapact are the large commercial products. Keep in mind if you want to island the system that these only provide balanced 3ph loads, no single-phase loads. You have to add equipment to supply an unbalanced system in island mode.
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Let me see if I follow: if the grid goes down, then both the solar PV array and Tesla Powerpact are providing power to the back-up loads panel / distribution board (in an AC coupled setup). However, this type of battery can only provide power to 3 phase loads on that panel. Additional equipment is needed for the battery to back up single phase loads. Do I have it right?
 
Yes. i.e. some kind if neutral forming transformer.

The same is actually true of several residential scale products such as Solaredge and Enphase. The inverters output 240V so an autotransformer is needed to ensure the voltage to neutral remains around 120. I'm not sure if Powerwalls also use one internally or if they have two 120V inverters inside.
 
jaggedben said:
Tesla has the PowerPack product for commercial solutions.
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I see the powerpack output is 380 to 480 volts, 3 phase. Is that the only option? So in a 120/208 volt building i'll need a step down transformer so i can connect the inverter output to the building distribution.
 
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