Sean said:
rearden said:
Are there other companies who produce similar systems?
rearden
Yes lots, if you add more info (such as expectations of storage and use etc) you will get a more defined response.
TL;dr
I am slowly collecting batteries, so as much as I can store but a few kwh may take a while.
An incrementally expandable system to store excess grid tie or other solar power and use at night.
It would be Real Nice to be able to have the capability for serious backup power.
OK.
I have 16 Enphase grid tie M215 inverters. I do not live in a net metering area, so any excess power is donated to the power company. This limits the economic size of my system because any extra capacity I currently add will give me steeply decreasing returns unless I can store the energy. I am currently storing the energy by running as many devices as possible during solar production time. But this is coarse, I am running out of devices and I generally have enough hot water already. I have experimented with using a home automation system Vera with an EmonPi to determine when I am exporting and turn a few zwave switches on and off.
For a test system I scrounged some free sealed lead acid batteries, an Epever Tracer BN4215, spare solar panels and Samlex inverter to run specific devices (radon fan, computer network), that did not go as well as I wanted. I am now using a spare M215 to generate grid tie power during a portion of the night from the batteries. limited by battery capacity and solar input with the epever providing load switching and voltage monitoring.
I am collecting 18650 and 26650 cells. I currently have 40-50 of each. A long way to go.
My starting goal is to store my excess power and use it at a later time because I can't use the grid as a battery. The most transactable (liquid asset) form of energy is battery storage. This is probably (at the moment) 1-8 kwh depending upon the season.
The next goal is to incrementally expand the system as my battery collection grows and start storing enough to power a significant amount of needs. I have an all electric house. heating/cooling, hot water, cooking.
Next level and may be the only thing which justifies the economics is to have backup power. When the power goes out my all electric house is pretty cold/hot. Hot I can deal with, cold is another matter. This does not happen often though.
I have split phase north american 120/240vac. The enphase system doesn't offer any of that unless I can appropriately isolate and microgrid. I have a back up Samlex 12v inverter for the fridge, basic power, but nothing close to power a 240v HVAC system. This is probably a pie in the sky, but if I consider spending real money it needs to incorporate this feature and the LRA is around 75.
Other considerations is cost. This is a hobby project which will grow over time, and I don't have the means to throw lots of cash at it. Also safety, power generation devices connected to the grid should have appropriate certs. anti-islanding, etc. I am always interested in what my marginal improvement costs are and sometimes eventually come around to spending more than I initially thought I would if it does some nice stuff.
rearden
