Add a whole home battery backup system to existing solar system

These Evergreen homeowners received multiple quotes over the course of a year for a whole home battery backup system.  We were the only Solar Company that did not require they replace their existing solar system.  As always, we first asked the homeowners if they had considered installing a generator.  They had,  they did not want the noise and exhaust of a generator and preferred a battery system.  

We designed a system that replaced their existing 15+ year old inverter and would fit nicely in their garage, near their main electrical panel.  We also added a home main disconnect on the outside of their home and placed it adjacent to the Emergency shut off for the battery and solar systems.   The battery is a EG4 14.3kWhr LFP ( Lithium Iron Phosphate ) PowerPro.  The manufacturer includes a 10 year warranty with the battery.  The battery is expected to have a 15-20 year lifespan.

The batteries have pre-made conduit  and an inverter that can pass through the entire 200A service of a home.  This simplifies installation on most homes.  We always include a manual bypass switch with all of our battery backup system so that if there are any service needs in the future, a quick switch pull allows for easy servicing and replacement of the equipment without disturbing the house electric.

The existing solar panels were originally on a single inverter with a single MPPT channel.  The new inverter has three MPPT channels.  This allowed us to split the system in half, which will increase their output when the system gets shaded in the afternoons by trees.

The new system also included online monitoring from an app, laptop or tablet.  With the new Time of Use meter that Xcel energy recently installed at their home.  They can now automatically set their system to use the batteries to offset their power when their are charged the highest rates by the utility.