How to Add Battery Backup to Solar System

[@jamesnesran2348]

dude, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video. for some reason, NO ONE can explain this information as concisely as you. All I wanted to know was how the inverter gets tricked into staying on while the grid is down.

[@MPMcDonald]

Great video. I'm researching a post-apocalyptic book I'm writing and this answered many of my solar power questions.

[@SolarSurge]

Glad it was helpful! I wish you success with the book.

[@harism5589]

I have seen few other videos on this subject. This is a best and easy to understand presentation for adding battery back up to the existing solar installation! Thank you for creating and sharing this information.

[@reginagooden5630]

I love it. I have solar and would like to get information about the battery store system and info on the generator set up. Also want to know how/if possible to set up system where enough energy stored and eliminate need for generator in power outage situation occurs. If possible. Thank you.

[@FuncleChuck]

This is excellent. I REALLY appreciate how you go into how the inverter tricks the solar inverter into producing and shutting down, and it’s good to see that a generator can feed it directly to supplement the solar. I’m in a situation where I’d only want 2-4 hours of battery if it’s night or I’m not getting much solar energy, and depending on heat/cooling load, and then I could swap to a generator if the nights also need some power and the grid is still down.

[@AskIveSolar]

Greetings Sir, showed up on my feed and caught my eye. Nice channel!

[@sngreenenergy793]

great explanation sir very informative video about hybrid on grid system thank you

[@OP-fd4lh]

Great explanations. Thank you sir!

[@loucinci3922]

Good info. Nice presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@Electronzap]

Nice. Looks like you should always be planning for the next thing to add to your system to make it better.

[@chrispalos8551]

Yes i would like to talk to u about battery back up

[@yabonjin]

my 5 KW solar system already has an inverter. It seems a waste to buy a 2nd inverter for the batteries. Can't that be avoided? I would rather have a switch input to my one inverter to select battery or solar panel inputs. Then I would need a separate switch I think to disconnect from city power and feed my main house electric panel from my batteries or solar. FYI, my current inverter feeds the city meter and power comes to my house in all cases from a connection from that meter. We are on net metering so maybe that is why. Should the batteries be stored inside my house for better temp control and longevity (moisture, sun, etc)

[@alexvaloria1422]

Great informative video, Joe. Sadly, Solar Surge is not in Canada. From Calgary…

[@MadMan_3353]

What about back feeding the main panel fitted with an interlock kit rather than separating 10 circuit and manually switching between the battery bank and main?

[@stingk5295]

Great Video and Information!

[@randyhowesfamily]

hey Joe, great info. I have this set up now and its paid for. Id like to know if i can upgrade the existing panels to more efficient producing panels using my same Inverter set up. Also adding battery back up would be great as well. Solar Panels: Sun Power Model: SPR 230 WHT Quantity: 30 Watts Total : 6900 kW Total: 6.9 Inverter: Sunpower Inverter Model: SPR 3000 & 5000m

[@QualityContentRick]

Good information. Thank you. I ordered Tesla a couple days ago. With 2 batteries.

[@aatirehrarsiddiqui8894]

How about an all in one hybrid inverter? That can export power and do a BESS too right?

[@fly4fun24]

WHAT A GREAT EASY TO UNDERSTAND VIDEO

[@darylw792]

Thank you for the information on solar systems. I have two SUN 1000W/120V grid tie in inverters with limiters tie to supplemental solar power system. Each inverter is hooked up to one 120V line. Their purpose is to only supply supplemental solar power without sending any power in to the grid. What system should I use to add batteries so that can have some supplemental power at night?

[@CapZer0]

is this configuration available in southern NJ for customers like myself with an existing Sunpower system circa 2015 ...(DC)? i also already have the alternate box for the emergency circuits feeding off a gas powered generator during emergencies.

[@bobbygonzalvo2040]

Hello thank you for this video, I'm planning to add back battery on my existing solar system. I do have Enphase micro inverter. what type of inverter do I need to use? thank you

[@SolarSurge]

This video is a bit outdated. For today's batteries, you could use either FranklinWH or Tesla Powerwall 2 to add to your existing Enphase solar system.

[@sitechca70]

Great video! Liked! One quick note about charging the batteries during cloudy days. Some homeowners will want this setup to work as TOU offset (so it pays for itself continuously vs only during outages). Blame the utilities for this but the software in the battery inverter (at least for some states) will NOT allow the grid to charge the battery. So on prolonged cloudy/rainy winter days, you'll still see high TOU bills. PG&E argues that this is necessary to prevent you from charging the battery after midnight with cheap power and dumping it into the grid in the evening at peak pricing. The only exception to this rule is events like Tesla's Storm Watch.

[@SolarSurge]

Good feedback. I believe Outback supports the TOU offset with their "Grid Zero" functionality on the Radian inverter. However, I think the lithium-ion AC-coupled batteries (like Tesla or Enphase Ensemble) are better for the TOU offset application. The Outback system pictured here is really designed with off-grid operation in mind.

[@FishtankandDIY]

Hi, can I connect manual transfer switch connect to the main panel and use gas generator if I got grid tie solar system?

[@beroca101]

Hi, Joe, thanks for the video. I'm from CA. If I add a battery back-up into my grid tied solar with micro inverters since 2015, will my current NEM be changed? Thanks.

[@spacemancw]

Thanks for this. Our solar panels are leased, We are grandfathered into Net Metering 2.0 in California. I believe if make any change to our system, well firstly the Solar provider has to allow/approve, and we will probably be switched to Net meter 3.0. Anyway .... I do have a 6500 Watt gas generator. I added a manual transfer switch to my main panel. So with the grid down, I turn off the main breaker, slide the transfer switch and flip the 30amp breaker for the generator. This then powers the whole house. I dont use the dryer or electric stove. Looking at your diagram it makes me think that now the invertor is being tricked .... so would it be true to say that the solar panels are producing and feeding energy into my house while the generator is running?

[@ianreid5359]

I Love the system you guys installed and would like to upgrade to TESLA batteries now.

[@SolarSurge]

We can help with that. I'll email you...

[@westbaybanjo]

Any idea if this set up can be accomplished using an EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra and EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2? If so, would the Smart Home Panel 2 just replace the Critical Load Subpanel and the Delta Pro Ultra replace the Batteries in your diagram? I'm assuming you would still need to buy a separate AC coupled inverter/charger in order to all for the panel inverter to still work in the case the grid goes down, as well as to be able to send excess electricity back to the grid for NEM.

[@teslapowerpodcast]

Great info. I recommend your videos often!

[@SolarSurge]

Glad you like them!

[@pilotforever6645]

if i dont want to have another C.L. panel and want to use my main panel with all my connections the way it is and turn off just the brakers i dont want to use , it will be ever easier correct?

[@PNWLiving1725]

Hi I have enphase with generac generator. Looking for cost for battery back up system. Thanks.

[@sebastianjoseph6829]

Hi good afternoon my name is Joseph i am looking to install some solar panels but i want to use a windmill to help me generate some current also but i want to go off-grid i want to know from you if that could work along with the solar panel Andy windmill i am looking forward to hear from you thank you very much

[@jennrothchild345]

Hey Joe! Are you going to do a Enphase Ensemble vs. Sunvault Video?

[@Salbritt]

Joe, I currently have no solar but run a generator using a "lock-off" device on my main breaker panel, which allows me to pick and choose ANY combination of breakers at my choosing as long as I do not overload my genny (this is when I monitor a AC Watt meter). Question, If i add solar and Inverter with battery backup, can I still utilize a main AC breaker lock-off to enable my current flexibility of breaker use. I do realize my system would not auto switch over and I would have to manually lock-off the main breaker as i do now. I'm just not crazy about having a critical load breaker center that I have to predetermine which breakers I want IF a complete longterm grid failure. Then, I wont be able to run other breakers that I may want to cycle on or off. Load center is fine for storms and short term but I have two 100 amp breaker boxes and want flexibility?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Steve, In theory, yes, you could keep your whole-house backup using the main breaker inter-lock switch. However, this configuration is not supported by the equipment manufacturers so you will have a hard time getting a professional installation with a warranty. In this case, I would recommend using Enphase or Generac PWRCell with whole-house backup and intelligent load management. Please see our video on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2nOg4OYaM99eKs

[@yabonjin]

Keep in mind that for many people this is for a rare occurrence that may never happen. I have never had a power outage for more than a few minutes in my area in 12 years. So I would be perfectly happy having to do some manual switching in the case I ever need to use the backup if it saves me money now. Also I might want to be able to use the batteries for other uses - such as a boat motor which I would rarely use - maybe a few times a year. So I'd prefer them to be portable.

[@boblatkey7160]

Ecoflow

[@TrangLe-fk6uj]

Hello there, Do you think it works for my exist solar system? I wonder that where I can buy backup battery and who will install it? Or Can you assist us to install?

[@skylertmarquardt]

Now can I set it up to use battery power at night as well

[@gilbertjaramillo8735]

Excellent.

[@homesteadinginmohavecounty1626]

I just watched a prepper video the other day that was talking about the different types of back up power in a grid down scenario. They were saying the Tesla wall doesn't hold very much power and you could get more power from your car battery.

[@SolarSurge]

No I’m afraid that’s not correct. A standard 12 V car battery has less than 10% of the storage capacity of a single tesla power wall.

[@yabonjin]

You are right. My dual motor Model3 battery is 85 kWh capacity. Powerwall is only 13.5 starting level. It is frustrating Tesla doesn't allow me to use my tesla battery to feed an inverter in the case of a power outage. But there are some technical issues on the house side also. The line used to charge your tesla may not be the right specs to backcharge your panel. Hopefully in the future this will be possible. But you can be sure the utility companies will fight it every step of the way.

[@Jnch3verse16]

Does the battery system send The power to the grid when the batteries are full?

[@jenniferknowles5932]

Does a solar battery have to be purchased from the solar company? When I spoke to the company they said yes but when I spoke to other vendors they said no

[@skillt1674]

Niceley explained. Do you also offer a possibility to choose between power from the outside grid or the battery. Like via an app or an automated system depending on actual KWH prices?

[@vicc6744]

can this type of thing be adapted to a solar generator instead of a battery bank?

[@rdking8001]

What does something like this cost? And do you work in RI

[@Jnch3verse16]

I'm currently waiting for my electrical panel to be upgraded and I have solar panels that I bought. Do you provide quotes for providing a battery backup system?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi John. Yes, we can help with a battery backup installation. Please use the website to schedule a call: www.solarsurge.net

[@brentjohnson6654]

Thanks for another great and informative video. You explain well at the high level and don’t get lost in the details. I wonder how critical grid tied solar is on the receive frequency since frequency is the means to communicate between subsystems. What I mean is on our rural electric we often have brown outs (90 VAC) or over voltage (140VAC). I have never put a frequency counter on the mains to verify it is consistent. So the question is what is the tolerance so the grid doesn’t fool the AC coupled equipment that there is a fault?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Brent. Great question. During a brown-out or voltage spike, the battery hybrid inverter would disconnect from the grid and use the battery to protect the critical loads. You can manually set the low and high voltage/frequent cut out points.

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@SolarSurge thanks. What happens if the grid frequency changes?

[@SolarSurge]

@@brentjohnson6654 Same thing. The hybrid inverter will disconnect from the grid if either the frequency or voltage falls out of the acceptable range. This equipment has a wide tolerance as it is often used in 3rd world countries with unstable power grids.

[@robpistell]

Can I order from canada

[@venkateswaranp1106]

How can do this in the case of a 3 phase solar inverter?

[@SolarSurge]

You may need to installer one inverter-battery system per phase.

[@jackvdlinden]

When the grid is still connected and your battery is full and the house-load is limited; you will have extra energy to fed into the grid. Will that also work in the configuration you show?

[@SolarSurge]

Very good question. The answer is Yes. The hybrid battery backup inverter has the ability to feed excess solar back to the main panel/grid for sell back.

[@peterdandrea82]

I'm interested in adding batteries to my solar!

[@SolarSurge]

Great. We can help you with that. Please reach out to us at [e-mail]

[@phantomfox9093]

Caint I just use a transfer switch to set up off grid battery backup for my solar ??

[@SolarSurge]

Yes that's one option, but it will be a more cumbersome wiring.

[@wessmann]

What is tha average price for this on a family home

[@davidkiunke3202]

I have a sunrun system and would like to add a backup system as explaned, where can I get an estimate of a backup system?

[@SolarSurge]

Sure we can help with that. Please use this link to schedule a free virtual consult: calendly.com/solar-surge-sales-team/solar-consultation

[@dougbarnes3602]

Joe I have a 20’ x30’ camp I power with a gasoline generator. The generator is located in a structure 70’ from the camp. An underground cable runs to a 100 amp entrance panel inside the camp and powers the circuits from the panel. I would like to add a battery bank that I could keep charged by the generator. The camp sets on 32” concrete foundation wall and there’s a concrete slab creating a crawl space beneath the camp, this is where I would keep the batteries. How do I connect the power from the battery bank to the entrance panel. My goal is use battery power to keep fridge and lights going in the evenings and while I’m away riding side x side, fishing etc.. The camp is located in northern Maine no grid power is available, I would like to add a small solar array down the road to charge the batteries as well. I use the camp 8 to 12 times a year hoping to use it more when I retire in 2 years. I would appreciate help with design and the components needed to accomplish this!?

[@boblatkey7160]

Outback Flexpower One and batteries.

[@l.rod2827]

Can you use the battery AC coupling system to provide supplemental power during "time of use" peak times?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, that is an option as well with this equipment.

[@kenhartman5364]

Do you have a local contact in the Gainesville fl area?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Ken. We can help you in the Gainesville area. Please visit solarsurge.net to schedule a call.

[@adrianc5549]

Is it possible that you can help me install power backup to my existing solar system?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes we can help with that. Please book a call.

[@adrianc5549]

@@SolarSurge where do I book a call?

[@rmctwm]

How much is this system? Im in SC and we are on day6 of no power. Our solar panels dont even save us money

[@cjhighway]

Hi. What about if you don't have a regular battery but have a solar generator that you want to use as the battery backup with an Enphase microinverter solar system? How can it give battery power and be charged from the solar system when the power grid is down? Thanks.

[@SolarSurge]

Portable solar generators are not adequate for home backup and they will not interface with an Enphase micro-inverter system. For home backup, we suggest Tesla Powerwall or Enphase Encharge batteries.

[@cjhighway]

@@SolarSurge I understand. The enphase system will still charge my portable solar generator using AC power from the power outlet when the power is down though right? I ask because I hear that it can still do an island of my house when the grid is down at least when the sun is out. Was the solar guy not telling the truth about this?

[@SolarSurge]

@@cjhighway The new Enphase IQ8 micro-inverters will allow islanding without a battery. However, what's being installed today is IQ7, which cannot provide any power with the grid is down.

[@cjhighway]

@@SolarSurge Thank you for responding. This is what I was not hoping would be the case as the solar guy who sold me my system said differently. There is so much dishonesty in this industry.

[@nomad7786]

You should also add in a wind turbine to the system info. for when sun not shining.For people off grid and want extra power or charging of battery's .Enjoy your video's.

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, that is an option also. To add a wind turbine, we would need a separate DC charge controller hooked directly to the battery bank.

[@yabonjin]

Sailers have used wind turbines for a while and are moving away from them now because of the noise. Also you want clean air with not too many obstructions around your house. With a roof mount you might not find the noise too bad but something to consider for you and your neighbors.

[@RoyceBluford]

How can I use my battery at same time solar is keeping my battery charge before needing to go back to the grid.

[@SolarSurge]

It’s a very technical answer, but basically both Solar and Battery power is delivered to the same DC bus from which the inverter is drawing so both can contribute to your needs.

[@jingyu447]

Well done Joe. What‘s your preferences of AC vs DC coupled solution?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Jing Yu and thanks for writing in. It depends. DC-coupled is most efficient for off-grid operation. AC-coupled is preferable to adding battery backup to an existing grid-tied PV system.

[@chada472]

Most grid tied solar inverters have a high voltage shut off say 266 VAC. Wouldnt the battery charging be regulated by the charger?

[@SolarSurge]

Not when in AC-coupled mode. In AC-coupling mode, the battery inverter is back-fed with AC power coming in from the grid-tie inverters. The charger only kicks in when charging from grid power or generator.

[@polarbearigloo]

does this work with tesla's solar( only solar grid tie) since they are being required to be linked to the network?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, you could use this method to add battery backup to an existing Tesla system.

[@polarbearigloo]

@@SolarSurge cool thank you. I like prepping especially for my tesla. Dont have my home yet but might be planning to do this at my moms before the ev revolution kicks into full swing.

[@SolarSurge]

@@polarbearigloo Great. We are ready to help whenever the time is right. Please reach out at [e-mail]

[@AlecMuller]

I'm learning a lot from your videos! Do you spec lead-acid batteries for any of your grid-tie clients? If so, what's your preferred model for emergency-only use? I'm looking at Trojan's SSIG 06 490; $280/usable-kWh (assuming 50% discharge) is hard to beat for something I doubt I'll cycle more than 30 times per year.

[@SolarSurge]

Hi Alec. Thanks for writing in. No, I no longer spec lead acid battery for grid-tie with battery backup installations. In my experience, over time, the homeowners forget to keep up with the maintenance and end up ruining their battery bank. I now do maintenance-free AGM's or lithium batteries only.

[@marktheunitedstatescitezen185]

I have lithium yes the cost is more but the lithium is so post to do you live for a better performance in life span .

[@dr.ravindramalagi1204]

I am interested in adding battery backup to my existing 3KW single phase ongrid solar system in Dharwad, Karnataka India. Please reply how you can help me with cost in indian rupees

[@marktheunitedstatescitezen185]

Hello , I’m looking for an Inverter like you where showing here , my house now on average 3KW a day , I do have a central Ac unit forced hot air , gas furnace, 2 full-size refrigerators , the coffee maker 3,000W / 24 hours = 125wh or 3,000/16 hours wake hours 187.5Wh the hybrid inverter battery back up Solar/ wind turbine MPPT 90A 120v x 2 or stackable inverters !

[@SolarSurge]

Check out www.altestore.com

[@DavidoharaEA]

Do you always need a critical loan subpanel when you have a battery? What if you added 5 batteries, can you just have it service the whole main panel?

[@SolarSurge]

Yes. 5 Tesla or Enphase batteries would handle the entire house backup. However, in almost every case, it's better to have a critical loads panel so that you can conserve battery power for only the most critical appliances.

[@dantheman6931]

I live in the California outback where the AC units are first on the critical load panel. How can I get a quote for this addition to my solar panel system?

[@wineberryred]

Why aren't the solar panels connected directly to the batteries (DC to DC) and then the inverter works on that power to power the AC side (House and Grid)?

[@SolarSurge]

Hi and thanks for writing in. Most new solar + battery systems work that way you descried. However, if we need to retrofit battery backup onto an existing grid-tied solar PV system, we use the AC-coupling method described in this video.

[@stingk5295]

I have a 6 K solar Grid System

[@vagabond1776]

Awesome video! This setup is great, but you’re still connected to the grid. I wonder how completely off-grid homesteads are set up…enough solar panels to run the house AND recharge the batteries during the day? Or perhaps two battery banks used interchangeably?? I’m obviously a newb. 🤪

[@nbdy32]

Is it possible to add the batteryes on an on-grid system,and how, thx

[@SolarSurge]

Yes, that is what this video describes.

[@Paulskirocks]

Question about main busbar... I know in a PV only system, the breaker max size tying into the solar system is decided by busbar rating times 1.2, so on a 200 amp busbar with a 200 amp main, you can have a 40 amp breaker for the solar, which I assume means a max current of 32 amps in that 40 amp breaker. What about the battery storage? Does the current of the batteries add to the PV for the busbar calculation? Or, since the batteries would never feed the grid during the daytime, is there a different rule? I am trying to understand the Enphase system and get certified.

[@GNiessen]

To bad the Battery Backup Inverter could not send a signal to individual panels to control the generation.

[@SolarSurge]

Good comment. Take a look at the Enphase Ensemble battery. It has the ability to turn individual solar panels on/off to balance the production and consumption.

[@jjackson3240]

Way to take advantage of the recent power outages across the country for your advertising. Why not just put the "back up" inverter between the meter and the mains panel so that the grid only in feeds when there is low battery? Is that how Tesla does their setup?

[@SolarSurge]

The reason is because typically the backup inverter cannot the load of the entire house. The inverter shown in this example has a maximum load of 9,000W, so we could not backup heavy loads like the clothes dryer, electric oven, etc.

[@yabonjin]

This seems wasteful. You’re charging your batteries with DC from the solar that you can convert to AC and then back to DC. Also, the batteries don’t appear to be portable. We need better cheaper systems that we can manually switch in the very rare occurrence of the grid being down for an extended period. Also, my car’s battery is four or five times what’s needed usually for a home back up and I really would appreciate some way to use that.

[@rss608]

chew it up and spit it out....yak yak yak...