Generac PWRCell Whole House Backup with Intelligent Load Management

[@erickessler6094]

Joe, Well done! Looks like Generac has really grown their smart load shedding ability from 6yrs ago when we built this home. In our home the decision to go with Mini-splits made all the difference in our 11kw Generac generator being adequate for our HVAC during our frequent outages. I can't wait to build the retirement home with solar and these smart tools.

[@SSNsnapshot]

Hi Joel - We're Generac PWRcell dealers out here in the S.F. Bay Area. Great Systems and awesome support with Generac.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Brian. Thanks for writing in. What has been your experience with using the Generac load management modules with solar?

[@gilbrook]

Timely. Thx for letting “man on the street” look over your shoulder as you interview a solar/storage manufacturer. Generac has certainly brought acquired Pika system to a new level in a very short. My focus has been on Enphase Ensemble 2.0 system with likely similar capabilities (not on market until year end). Both systems accomplish same goal of solar/storage, but with different engineering. Look forward to a deep dive into the PWRcell including roof top array and PWRview App. Great overview. ThankU!

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for the feedback. I will add those topics to the list for future videos.

[@bentleyjarrard885]

Thanks for bringing new products to our attention, really liking your channel. Super great idea using load management instead of a sub-panel.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, this is a real game-changer capability for solar + storage.

[@orleydoss3171]

Excellent information and interview 👏👍.

[@jeweligirl]

The content was great, but it was aggravating to listen to the Generac representative speak down to you. Thanks for all you do to help researching solar back-up easy to understand for those of us who are not electrical engineers! Please expand your service to Louisiana!

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for your support. Hopefully we'll add LA soon.

[@mattyb7607]

If you had to design a system with generac batteries, a generac standby natural gas generator what would it be? what inverter and what panels would you add? I'm trying to build a dream system with grid out times in mid.....I'd also like to employ a kind of smart breaker panel like leviton load center or span smart panel as I might have to relocate my panel and wouldn't replace a "dumb" panel with another dumb panel. Thanks

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Matty and thanks for writing in. I would use Q-cells solar panels and the Generac PWRCell inverter. We can help you with that if you need.

[@sandan2358]

I wonder if there are dealers in Kansas?

[@williamlabarre4755]

I would really like to see a presentation like this focusing on new builds. What to consider in the design stage, how to manage installation during construction, etc.

[@SolarSurge]

Thanks for writing in. Please take a look at this video that covers some of what you mentioned: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppK3dWWvZaqBppY

[@darrenhall7990]

I've been educated so much since watching your videos. I'm just an average homeowner trying to educate myself. I just got approved for a decent loan for a solar set up with a back up Genaric battery. I made my decision to get Genaric over Tesla because it can be expanded to 18kw's. Can I still get a 22kw Genaric generator along with the battery back up for worst case scenario?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, Generac is supporting the use of a generator also. We will do a future video on this subject to explain how it works.

[@navyretired230]

Does this work with Enphase Combiner Box and IQ7+ PV inverters?

[@toolate6971]

I hope to add all this to my home in early 2023. Do you service North Carolina?

[@joeordia8696]

Yes absolutely. We have you covered in all of North Carolina.

[@Tearitupsports]

Can their load management be used as a separate item or does it only work with their complete package? Also are there any ATS or other battery systems that are fast enough to not drop the loads when the grid goes down. Generac specifically mentions their ATS is not fast enough for that.

[@SolarSurge]

Good questions. The Generac PWRCell transfer switch takes a few seconds to switch over, so I would not consider this an "uninterruptible" power supply. However, Outback Radian and Schneider Electric Conext XW can switch over fast enough to prevent the appliances from noticing (10ms).

[@RED2K2TIMMY]

I would really like this battery do you have installers in Md

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, check out GreenBrilliance.

[@flotsamike]

Our generac battery pack stops working when the temperature drops below 40° Fahrenheit or when it goes over 105 degrees. Winter storm that freeze the power lines are when we need it most, followed by when the grid falls over in the summer from over use. When the system works it's awesome you never noticed switching to battery and the seller keeps the battery charged. When it does not work it's frustrating. We have gone a total of 2 months out of the last 15 without full use of our generac system.

[@hailumeng]

If I only have HVAC as 240 appliance, then ATS is good enough, right? Especially when you want to connect generator to charge battery. Sure start might still be needed.

[@SolarSurge]

I would recommend the soft start device for the HVAC regardless if you are doing whole house backup or critical loads only. If you are building new, then use a variable speed HVAC compressor, which has built-in soft start.

[@danielgrubb9668]

Is it possible to setup this system with a generac generator without the solar panels? This would be for power outages only.

[@yankabilly1963]

Looks like I am going to get the generac system with 2 battery packs with 3 batteries in each ( min you can have in there 17kwh ) and as I save on my electricity I can add batteries. Base on your math I would need 3 batteries to charge my F150 lightning with travel distance 50 miles with the 170kwh (300) mile range. But until then we do 4 loads of wash/dryer every Sunday 2 loads on Wednesday and 2 loads on Friday

[@alanjohnstone462]

? any experience with Sunfusion battery

[@SolarSurge]

I'm not familiar with that one. Please send some info if you have it.

[@Becca9071]

What if you need the freezer as an essential plus the refrigerator?

[@SolarSurge]

That's no problem. Even the smallest home batteries can run a fridge and freezer.

[@stevef]

Excellent overview. Does the system have a software app to manage things? Like Tesla.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, it's call the PWRView. I know there is a website interface. Not sure about the app.

[@brandonavants7662]

How is this different than Span? What are the advantages of this over Span?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Brandon. Great question. The Generac Smart Management Modules allow you to keep your existing circuit breaker panel. With Span, you have to replace the entire panel. I'm recoding a video about the Span product later today so please keep an eye out for that video later this week!

[@brandonavants7662]

@@SolarSurge thanks! It looks like from the quotes below though it is much more expensive. Will look for your video for sure!!

[@jiip20]

Hi, quick question will the system work the same using the battery as the only backup system to the utility supply? Just for the cases where the solar panels are not an option.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, you can use this system as a battery backup only with no solar.

[@kritnattaphatjaturapattara8697]

Good info mate, tks

[@saundz8791]

Let's say one lives in a building where there is no options for installing solar panels could battery system like this one still be used as a back up but by charging the system from the regular home electrical system?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, you can use Generac PWRCell as a battery backup only with no solar. However, you would lose out on the 26% solar tax credit.

[@saundz8791]

@@SolarSurge how many hours of power can you get out of this?

[@SolarSurge]

@@saundz8791 Usually 24 hours of backup power.

[@markgreer5216]

i have the system but with the critical load box how do i change mine to this new load management system

[@SolarSurge]

You can contact the installer and ask them to install the PWRCell Transfer Switch and Smart Management Modules on all of your heavy load circuits.

[@bobqzzi]

Good stuff. In 5 years I'm thinking the market is going to be dominated by a completely integrated smart panel of some sort

[@SolarSurge]

The nice thing about Generac's system is that you don't need a new panel. You just add the devices to the circuits to be managed.

[@bobqzzi]

@@SolarSurge Very true. I do think though, especially for new construction, that a panel that allows control of ALL circuits will become standard.

[@gilbrook]

@@bobqzzi For new construction SPAN panel looks interesting for whole house load management.

[@bobqzzi]

@@gilbrook It does! My solar guy reached out to them and so did I, but neither of us heard back. Current plan is to go with a Lumin which looks okay, but it limited.

[@gilbrook]

@@bobqzzi Less expensive and less “intelligent”, but looks good to me.

[@redxribbonxarmy]

The information below is centered around Backup and Money Saving. This presentation did not hit on some key details. But the critical part that is most important to me is how long will those heavy loads be utilized. In my personal experience here in NC, my 2 TON HVAC will run for 9hrs to 11hrs and even 16 hrs depending on the weather. My family of 6 during the summer months on average uses between 65kW and 85kW. Half of that usage is the HVAC. Customers need to spec their system beyond normal daily consumption, due to the fact normally nobody is home between 7am until 6pm. So when everyone is home, consumption goes up considerably. This brief statement does not cover, Cloud coverage during solar production times, the direction of the solar array, and storage capacity utilization during solar production in a grid-down scenario.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi and thanks for the feedback. You raise several valid items here. In most cases, if you are in full sunlight, you can run the A/C all throughout the day. During evening house, the A/C should be used sparingly when running off battery power.

[@Natedoc808]

Any type of resistive heating element or any motor which runs against rotary resistance will be the biggest draw. Think AC compressor, electric water heater ( non-heat pump type), clothes dryer, fridge compressor, toasters, electric coil range (induction range much more efficient).

[@5610winston]

My only essential 220-240 volt equipment is the HVAC. The electric dryer can be nice if the power goes out and stays off for more than a day or two, but the electric range is not really essential since a hotplate or a toaster oven, even [shudder] a microwave can heat food when needed.

[@deltoncbaker]

I did some more research and found circuit breakers rated at 50 amps for $35 dollars and were WiFi controlled with Alexa or Google. With a little more effort I am sure I can find the inrush suppressors for high current devices. I really can not stress enough that these guy are using existing technology, bundling it up and charging loan shark prices. I would distance myself from these guys, they can only be trouble when they go bankrupt.

[@barry28907]

WAIT -- Physical switches inside the SMM to set priority??? If it's already communicating with the ATS or Inverter over the power line, why can't it be controlled remotely?

[@SolarSurge]

I suspect they will be working on this capability soon.

[@barry28907]

I am currently working with a local installer (connected with a Solar United Neighbor's co-op) to spec a new, complete solar+storage system. This installer actually does NOT recommend the current generation of SMMs -- basically the technology isn't worth the additional cost, vs. the 'vanilla' PWRcell system with a conventional critical-loads panel. They too also think that a newer generation of truly 'smart' SMMs will come at some point, from Generac.

[@SolarSurge]

@@barry28907 Barry, thanks for the feedback. I see the need for SMMs most in southern states like TX and FL where the homeowners need to have central A/C on backup power. We generally needs to use SMMs and a soft start device for the AC.

[@normsstuf7698]

"WARNING" If you are thinking about buying a Generac PWRcel Battery, be advised this battery will supposedly provide you with back-up power in a temperature range from 14 degrees to 122 degrees "BUT" the battery WILL NOT recharge if the internal temperature of the battery is below 41 degrees, it goes into STANDBY MODE, or IDLE MODE. My battery & inverter are installed in the carport of a detached garage this could result in No battery back-up if the grid power goes out for more than 2 or 3 days when the temperature is below 41 degrees even though this battery is outdoor rated. When I contacted generac why my battery was stuck in standby mode this is the answer I got. The battery will discharge (provide power) down to a temperature of 14 F. It will not recharge until the temp reaches 41 F. It is important to note that the temperatures for this are measured by a sensor inside of the battery cabinet, not the ambient outdoor temperature. So, when the temp drops, the battery will begin charging again when the temperature inside of the battery cabinet reaches 41 F or higher as measured by the battery cabinet's internal temperature sensor.

[@mariade1892]

I want a technician to help me with that in Burlington NC

[@SolarSurge]

Sure we can help in NC. Please book at call www.solarsurge.net.

[@mbwheeler70]

Hey Joe! Cool system, I am getting a Generac install, in Tx via Titan Solar is this part of it or a feature addon?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Michael. I checked into this and it's an $1,800 add on. Please email me on Monday and we can look at options.

[@smacospasovski5123]

What's the price 35.000$?

[@russttu]

Got a quote for my house. $25,000 It is a great product, but way too expensive for what it is.

[@smacospasovski5123]

@@russttu for 25k I'll make a 🏠 and a good pv system

[@gilbrook]

@@russttu For solar/storage makes you think twice before getting whole house generator with load management. I was quoted $15K.

[@GTNBY2]

Ya know? NO I DON'T!!! GEEEZ

[@LBSolar]

I really appreciate this info, the knowledge here and the benefits of the technology. This is off topic but I hope he will invest some time in a public speaking course, it is really beneficial to anyone in marketing. Eliminating the "verbal pauses" such as umm, ya know, well, etc. makes a huge difference in the quality of the presentation. Being concise and succinct without extraneous verbiage focuses the message. Between the two presenters here it's almost a lesson it how to and not to do it.

[@martyb3783]

I am sorry I didn't have enough patience to watch this to the end. You do a great job, but the Generac guy drove me crazy with his "ummm you know...". I still have no idea how this system works.

[@Mongoosed]

Generac is still a nube in solar, they still have inaccurate and misleading specifications on their lithium batteries.

[@ggilestate]

They should have someone else from Generac who can actually talk instead of someone using the "Um Um Um" all the time. This calls for an intelligent person like the other person from Solar surge who never used the "Um" once. If you are trying to sell the system to people looking to purchase one has to first learn how to speak! Very irritating!

[@danchesney631]

"Umm" & "You know" need to be banished from the english vocabulary.

[@uclajd]

This guy needs to purge "you know" from his vocabulary.