The latest additions to Generac Power Systems’ PWRcell energy storage line will allow for whole-home power backup.
The products include the new PWRcell Automatic Transfer Switch (PWRcell ATS), which has integrated load management, new higher-capacity batteries rated up to 18 kWh and an outdoor-rated enclosure.
“Delivering a whole-home experience from battery storage systems is currently a gap in the industry overall,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, president and CEO of Generac. “The keys to achieving this are high-output power, large battery capacity and intelligent load management. PWRcell is the first to deliver this to homeowners and contractors.”
The PWRcell ATS allows homeowners to power the entire electrical panel in the event of a power outage instead of just a few preselected loads. In a power outage, ATS disconnects from the grid, allowing the whole home to be islanded as power is routed from the battery and solar array to the home’s electrical panel. Because Generac protects the entire home, the need to move or transfer circuits to a separate sub-panel is eliminated, reducing system complexity and installation time.
To further bolster the whole-home capabilities of the PWRcell system, Generac has unlocked additional power output and is introducing a combination of load management options. With improved performance, the PWRcell inverter can now deliver 9 kW of backup power from a single battery pack and up to 11 kW from a dual battery system. Generac Smart Management Modules (SMMs) work with the load management device built into the ATS to manage all of that power and protect against system overload. When paired together, the PWRcell ATS and SMMs allow up to 12 circuits to be managed and prioritized. By controlling how power is allocated, the PWRcell system not only keeps all the essentials running, but it provides the opportunity to start larger home appliances like air conditioners and water heaters during a utility power outage.
When also equipped with Generac’s new “EX” lithium battery, the advanced PWRcell system can store up to 18 kWh of usable capacity.
“We saw an opportunity to bring Generac’s expertise in home backup power to solar and deliver a system unlike anything on the market,” said Russ Minick, chief marketing officer for Generac. “The new PWRcell ATS, combined with load management, increased inverter power and more battery capacity, finally unlocks the full potential of solar. Our customers can now run their whole house on stored sunshine.”
