Event Description

While there are economic incentives for grid-interactive customers who combine PV generation with energy storage, customers when polled, said that their primary motivation for using PV and battery systems is robust, 24/7 backup power on demand.

Nationally, extended utility disruptions caused by floods, landslides, wind storms, ice storms, geomagnetic solar storms, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, public safety power shutoff (PSPS), earthquakes, aged infrastructure, replacement equipment shortages and deliberate sabotage, populate the news with alarming frequency and severity. Which battery-based backup systems truly deliver, meet and exceed customers' expectations during long-term utility power outages?

This class promises to address how variously-scaled PV production and battery energy storage systems coupled with smart, nimble, robust and locally-controlled load management can respond to the ever increasing challenges threatening to shoot out the lights. In this class, Erik Frye will discuss experiences of owners of micro grids and battery based grid tied PV systems, including systems such as:

• Tesla PowerWall
• Enphase Ensemble
• SolarEdge
• Sol-Ark
• LFP vs NMC vs NCA
• SMA Sunny Island
• Non export / Net Zero self generation to meet self consumption with the added benefit of back up power
• Stand alone micro grids for entirely off grid applications
• PG&E meter base automatic transfer switch
• Future projections
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