Generac Power Systems today introduced PWRcell: a fully-integrated solar energy storage system. PWRcell boasts exclusive technologies including expandable battery capacity and on-board power monitoring and management as standard.
The PWRcell system consists of an integrated ecosystem of components, including an expandable battery pack, inverter and associated hardware. Each component is specifically engineered to seamlessly install and work together. PWRcell features modular battery packs, equipped with 8.6-kWh batteries, and expandable to 17.1 kWh to match any budget.
“The flexibility of modular battery packs, combined with the most power available make this system best-in-class technology,” said Russ Minick, Chief Marketing Officer and leader of the Clean Energy business for Generac.
PWRcell also provides homeowners with up to 50 amps and 12 kW of surge capacity, enough to start heavy loads such as air conditioners. Once engaged, PWRcell provides 8 kW of continuous power. When more power or capacity is needed, additional PWRcell inverters and batteries can be added for up to 34.2 kWh of DC-coupled storage.
PWRcell is equipped with Generac PWRview technology, an easy-to-use home energy monitoring system that tracks home energy use and provides powerful insights into the home’s electricity consumption. With the intuitive PWRview app, data is processed into useful information that allows homeowners to make smarter decisions regarding their use of energy, lowering usage to extend the amount of time the home can run on PWRcell-provided energy.
The heaviest component of the PWRcell weighs less than 75 pounds, and the full unit is easy to install. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2019, PWRcell will be sold through Generac’s many distribution partners.
News item from Generac
Solar Power World is a solar installer magazine. For more information on the Generac product, including pricing, please reach out to Generac directly.
I have attempted to set up an appointment on 2 separate occasions. Both times the estimator did not show up or call to cancel. They must not want my money. 🙁
Just trying to see what the cost effectiveness i. How long before you get your $10,000 plus investment back. You either have to borrow the money, monthly payment, or out of pocket. This is a huge investment that would take years to pay off before it is a zero monthly payment. I have solar panels and my monthly payment is fairly low(PG&E in CA) but sticking that much money would put me in debt for a number of years
Called Generac today. Can’t even get a ball park or average figure without scheduling an appointment. Finally just hung up.
Why
I see its about 10,000 dollars plus.. For everything.. 2 questions , How long do your batteries last before they need to be replaced, Are the solar panels guaranteed for life ?
The PWRcell does not come with solar panels. Most lithium-ion batteries come with a 10-year warranty. This website is just a solar news source, so reaching out to Generac directly can get you more accurate answers.
i just found this on the web “Every PWRcell system is backed by a 10-year limited warranty, with prices starting at $9,999. For a limited time, homeowners that purchase PWRcell will receive the PWRview home monitoring app – a $300 value when they schedule a free in-home assessment. For more information about PWRcell, PWRview, Generac Clean Energy, or any of the Generac family of brands, visit http://www.generac.com, or to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home assessment, call 855-605-1971.”
Interesting. I have solar but it does not generate electric when the power goes off. Kind of useless here in Florida during hurricane season which is why I went solar. Found out later that there is no storage available with the system I was sold.
look into enphase energy, they are coming out with a IQ8 inverter to be released mid 2020, and this
configuration WILL allow you to run off your solar panels during the day, with NO batteries and when the grid is down. you can use your same solar panels, but you would need 1 IQ8 per panel,
good luck
Mark
Contact any of the companies offering battery backups. No matter what solar system you have, you can get a battery backup for it. Most Solar Companies don’t offer battery back, that is probably why they told you there is no storage available.
I am in Kingsport tn and use Appalachian Electric Power A.E.P. and they will not allow us to have a battery bank for back up power. They say its dangerous for lineman grabbing a hold of hot wire when everyone’s power goes out…supposedly.
How is that possible when the magnetic contacted is powered by the 240 voltage coming into the home. When you loose power that contactor drops out therefore cutting any connections to the power grid. I would tell A.E.P. they know this I’m sure they just want that income.
Magnum, Outback, & Schneider make inverters that can be added to a existing solar system and charge batteries when the power is out. All 3 can be stacked to get a good output. I have had a solar business for 40yrs. now and added a Magnum on my house a few years ago.
Where can I get a price at I live in or near Springfield mo
I all so are totally off grid
Please contact the company for pricing info.
Can this be used directly off the Grid to charge without Solar Panels? My electric utility offers a rate is 65% less if energy is purchased between 11 PM and 6 AM off peak. Because of my location and roof orientation I am not a good candidate for solar panels. I have been waiting for a system that allows me to buy my electric at night when it is much less expensive, store it and use during the day. Can I fully charge this during the 7 off peak hours? Is there software to regulate the charging and discharge times?
The ad that aired this am (2/7/2020) on either FNC or FBC stated that that is exactly the way it can be used.
From the info I received at the convention this week yes it can be used as your described
Advanced technology industry has a new lithium power wall based on the same lithium systems in the plug-in hybrids of Ford/Toyota vehicles cost installed is only $6000 for 14 kW what most people don’t know is the system it’s been running in cars the Prius and the Escape/CMax is the same battery and has proved it self for 20 years. And is a lot less expensive than the newcomers in battery storage.
Do you have contact info for advanced technology industry?
wrewBut the car batterys are not called on to provide 100% output for more then a few seconds. WHn the power is off these batteries have to do tht for a few days. Apples and oranges there , Bunkey.
Sounds like I may stick with Tesla, at least they give me an estimate of price without a Hr. long sales pitch.
I take it back, I take it back! Suddenly I’m in Joe’s position where the MSRP of the Generac is important to a Dec 2019 install decision. Driven by the fact that there is no current availability of SolarEdge StorEdge because of the year end rush to claim tax credits. So a backup-capable storage inverter install is now delayed to 2020. No word on price and availability. If I knew I could bake it into an early 2020 install. By default I’m probably going to go with Enphase here.
So now I have reason to be grumpy. Not really at you, Solar Power World, But after all Joe is right. So please don’t use the word “introduced” on a product whose price and lead time are not yet specified. That was a demonstration Generac showed, not a product introduction.
Hi Kelly,
Please tell me where I can contact a retail Gernerac distributor for the General PWR cell in the northern Pa area WYne or Susquehanna county
Hi John, saw your comment.
My company can get you set up with the Pwrcell if you’re still interested and looking.
I own On-Demand Power & Electrical Services LLC. We’re located in upstate NY but grew up in Jessup, Pa and can do the work for you.
You can reach me at 570-241-7850 or 518-241-3736
Well I find this information useful. So it’s few weeks later and the Generac is still not readily available at least in my area where solar is booming. It looks way more elegant than the Solar Edge, considering you don’t need that big transformer with the Generac. Battery choices are terrible, the Solar Edge is only advertising compatibilty w/LG Chem and Generac is only advertising compatibiilty with its own battry. Doesn’t look to me like either of them work with a generator.
As for @Joe on price, I feel your pain but entry level lithium for backup is like $10k to ante up in my area and you’re better off getting 2, and it basically costs 2x as much, the batteries are still swamping out the cost of the inverters. LIthium backup for grid-tied houses is not a money saver and it’s not for penny pinchers. There’s no DIY on-grid anything, including grid-tie with transfer switch, and this stuff has nothing to do with off-grid inverters which are all way cheaper. But I don’t know yuour situation, so YMMV.
Does it integrate with the generator directly to start it and replenish the batteries if their charge drops too low?
Then, the solar can feed the batteries, the batteries can power the house, and generator can do what it should do; backup.
There is no generator with this system.
The only inverter that can incorporate a generator into the system (that I know of) is Outback Radian.
@ James A McDonald: The Schneider Conext XW6048, used to be (Xantrex XW6048) has been around since at least 2001. It has the ability to be used as grid tied, grid tied with battery backup or off grid with the same hardware. The product is fairly mature and has been in the field almost 20 years. One can parallel inverters, create a master/slave or can make three phase systems with these same inverters. The XW6048 can use both a grid connection and a wind generation or fueled generation connection for charging and buss voltage control. I understand SolarEdge has now released a SE inverter that can be used in a “smart” ESS with “relatively” high voltage battery packs like the LG Chem 400VDC or TESLA power wall 2.0. This may be the system of choice for many. Go all solar PV and or wind generation with energy storage and no fueled generator on site.
Go Electric Inc has a system.10-250kw
If its lithium, I wonder how much extra home insurance would cost?
Wow! Generac is really on top of this! Im surprised and amazed at how far youve come eith this already!
I don’t see what use this information as without some idea of price.
Contact the company for pricing information.
I agree waste of time. If your selling something.. Name the price! chatting about it is a red flag to me!
There not selling anything it’s a fricking review of the product! Want more info contact Generac directly.
i called Generac directly they will not give a price
The installed price of any battery is going to be variable based on your situation. If you see a price, it’s for a box. That box needs a lot of other boxes to integrate it into your home, not to mention the requisite knowledge and training, and the labor. The manufacturers that DO provide pricing do consumers a disservice. It misleads them.
Hire a solar professional, preferably a local one, and get a real turnkey quote. These are not plug and play components by any stretch.