I have an existing solar array and am considering adding a battery system along with a transfer switch for backup. I'm pretty handy and have a licensed electrician ready to assist with the installation. I'm also familiar with the components I'm interested in, like batteries and a hybrid inverter. My goal is to keep costs down by avoiding expensive turnkey installation services that can be quite pricey. However, I need to navigate my utility's requirements for an interconnect agreement to ensure everything's compliant with regulations. I already have schematics for my solar setup and need someone to help me modify these for battery integration. Has anyone faced this challenge before, and what solutions have you found?
3 Answers
I used a service called Solar Estique for my own battery addition. They took my existing schematics and redrew them to include the battery system for my house. Super easy and quick! I was really happy with their work. They're based out of India but have an office in Austin, Texas, and the engineer they used for the stamp is also from Texas. I found their pricing very reasonable. If you want to see some of their work, check out their design templates on their website!
Great to hear about your experience!
You might want to check out Greenlancer. They’re pretty DIY-friendly and can whip up the plans you need for your local authority and utility approval. Just keep in mind that if you have net metering, switching to a new setup could affect your rates. Also, see if your authority has adopted NEC 2023 rules, which require certified inverters and battery combos. If you're using a string inverter, it might be better to replace it altogether. For micro-inverters, you can connect the new inverter via AC coupling. Just make sure you get all approvals before making any purchases since utilities might have additional wiring requirements based on your inverter's output.
If your battery connects to the grid, don’t forget about the interconnect agreement! That’s usually the requirement where I am, and I’d bet it’s similar where you are. Have you talked to your electrician? They usually handle the permits for these kinds of projects.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely look into Solar Estique.