vtsnowedin wrote:What I am seeing is larger 5KW to 10KW systems that may or may not be grid tied. Generac company sells complete systems using wall batteries they call PWRcells equivalent to Tesal's power walls some have propane or diesel powered generators for double backup. The local power company is resisting taking in solar power into their grid but regulators are pushing it. With sufficient battery you can use most of summer sunlight even if you can't sell excess to the grid then tap the grid in winter when the roof is snow covered for days etc. I expect the base bill for those using the grid that way to go up to cover the cost of maintaining the distribution lines that are being used less.
That sounds like a great idea, even for those forced to be on the grid re various rules if living in cities. At least that way one should be able to avoid the top tier rates all the time.
i have a Generac whole house generator (runs on NG or propane -- I chose NG since I have that service and didn't want to fool with a propane tank and filling/maintaining that and the potential explosion hazard) which has been wonderful. For 8 years now, all it's needed is oil changes and one battery replacement (it uses a car battery to start). All my power outages are roughly 30 seconds, even when major windstorms cause outages for several days. It tests itself weekly, so no unpleasant surprises.
But having THAT backing up a Generac battery backed small-ish solar grid sounds perfect. Long outages, I have the generator. Short outages and at night, etc., I have battery power, without needing to spend a fortune on batteries to have enough for several day outages.
This is an example of the INCREMENTAL move to solar/green, that makes sense economically, and therefore is likely inexorable, OVER TIME. And to the extent it makes your system more reliable (with grid, solar, batteries, and a generator, you have FOUR power inputs), it's also better for the consumer.