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 compponent 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
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
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.