Generac’s Pwrcell Introduces Customizable Home Battery System
Solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills. But what if the power goes out? That’s where a home battery system, like the recently released Generac Pwrcell, comes into play. Offering the flexibility to customize battery capacity, this system has revolutionized the home energy storage sector.
Rex Liu, Generac’s vice president of product management, explained the reasoning behind the Pwrcell’s design, noting that different homes have different energy needs. The modular battery system allows for optimization tailored to each homeowner’s individual energy requirements, adding value to the overall market.
The Generac Pwrcell provides a flexible capacity of 9 kWh to 18 kWh, which can be adjusted in increments of 3 kWh. It offers efficient performance, high battery quality, and reliable support, making it one of the most sought-after batteries in the solar industry.
The system comprises a battery cabinet, an inverter, automatic transfer switch, and PV link, essentially forming a comprehensive energy storage system. The battery cabinet houses lithium-ion battery modules, with the capacity expandable through the addition of extra modules. An inverter converts DC energy generated by solar panels and the battery into AC energy. The automatic transfer switch seamlessly transitions to backup battery power during a blackout, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
The Generac Pwrcell’s standout feature is its remarkable modularity and easy capacity upgrades. The battery can store energy in individual battery modules contained within a cabinet, with capacity expandable in small increments. Upgrading the battery system is hassle-free, as it only requires adding a new battery module or installing a second battery cabinet, providing a maximum capacity of 36 kWh.
In terms of performance and efficiency, the Pwrcell boasts a higher-than-average round-trip efficiency of 96.5% and a depth of discharge of 84%, resulting in minimal energy loss and heightened power output. The battery’s warranty includes a 10-year coverage for the entire Pwrcell system and a throughput guarantee.
Generac’s Pwrcell is backed by the PWRview app, a highly rated energy management tool. The app monitors solar energy production, battery charge status, grid power usage, and net energy flow. It also analyzes historical energy data to calculate estimated savings, providing homeowners with valuable insights into their energy usage patterns.
However, there have been some criticisms of Generac’s product quality and customer support, with several customers citing issues with warranty claims and negative experiences with the company’s support team. Pricing for the Pwrcell system is estimated at $10,000 to $20,000, depending on factors such as location, installer, and energy storage capacity. Typically, battery pricing ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per kWh of storage.
The Generac Pwrcell has set the bar high in the home energy storage market with its highly customizable battery system, efficient performance, and user-friendly design. Although there are concerns around product quality and customer service, the Pwrcell offers homeowners a reliable solution for energy storage and backup power needs, ensuring peace of mind and energy independence during power outages.
