To simplify the selection and installation of battery backup systems, Briggs & Stratton and Sol-Ark are sharing new “plug-and-play” packages that feature SimpliPHI 6.6 stackable batteries and Sol-Ark inverters.
The three packages — Essential Power, Managed Power and Whole Home Power — each include the recommended number of batteries, Sol-Ark inverter, EnergyTrak gateway and battery monitoring app and MySolArk system monitoring app.
“We’re helping our dealers navigate the ever-changing energy landscape and are making it easy for them to add battery backup power as an option for their customers who either cannot install a generator or prefer a battery solution,” said Tom Rugg, SVP & President of Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. “These battery backup power packages take the guesswork out of the sales, selection and installation process to make choosing the right solution easy for everyone involved.”
Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI battery backup packages start with one, two or three SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries that deliver a range of power. The package concept centers on how much of the home the user wants to power during an outage – from 50% of a home’s normal energy usage to 100%, which allows the homeowner to power everything in their home for a period of time. While the packages recommend a starting number of batteries, they are scalable. To add more backup time, simply add more batteries. Systems can be scaled as the customer’s energy needs change.
The continuous energy use of an average U.S. home is 1.23 kW. Given a home’s average energy use, a one-battery system with a Sol-Ark 8K inverter delivers 10.8 hours at 50% backup load. A two-battery system with a Sol-Ark 12K inverter delivers 14.5 hours at 75% backup load and a three-battery system with a Sol-Ark 15K inverter delivers 16.4 hours at 100% backup load. For larger installations, the battery system can be scaled up to 18 batteries, delivering 119.7 kWh with maximum continuous power of 84 kW or 90 hours of power at 100% load.
“Since our inception, Sol-Ark has been focused on bringing simpler and more efficient energy storage solutions to the market. The Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI Sol-Ark hybrid inverter solution allows installers to quickly provide families with energy resilience and security,” said Tom Brennan, CEO and CTO of Sol-Ark.
At the core of the packages is Briggs & Stratton’s new SimpliPHI 6.6 stackable battery, which assembles effortlessly with RapidStak connectors. The batteries connect wirelessly with no DIP switches or pin-outs for fast and easy installation. A stack of three batteries can be assembled in less than five minutes. The batteries are 125 lbs, meaning they’re easier to transport and install than most batteries, especially whole home systems. They can be easily carried to a utility closet or a basement. The self-guiding RapidStak connectors integrate power and communications into a single point so the batteries simply stack on top of one another and click into place. In addition, the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery is IP65 rated so it can be ground- or wall-mounted indoors or outdoors with no additional cabinets required.
News item from Briggs & Stratton
Solarman2 says
“In addition, the SimpliPHI 6.6 battery is IP65 rated so it can be ground- or wall-mounted indoors or outdoors with no additional cabinets required.”
I question this claim in consideration of the ongoing NFPA 855 (standard) that is due for an upgrade as NFPA 855 2026. Also heavily leveraged in this concept is AHJs and the device’s ability to meet or exceed UL9540(A). There seems to be no accepted “rule of thumb” such as the amount of containment of say LFP battery chemistries compared to NMC, NMCA or LMFP battery chemistries.