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Solar batteries are big, bulky, expensive and part of a holistic home energy system.
That makes them difficult to put through hands-on testing.
Here’s what you should know about the Generac Pwrcell.
What do I get with the Generac Pwrcell?
The Generac Pwrcell is one of the most modular batteries we’ve seen.
Here’s a quick look at theGenerac Pwrcell’s specs.
It’s an intricate, DC-coupled system with quite a few components.
The battery cabinet houses three to six battery modules.
The number of battery modules in the cabinet reflects the storage capacity available.
A second battery cabinet can be installed for additional capacity.
Automatic transfer switch:The ATS provides an automatic transition to back up battery power in a power outage.
PV link:This helps optimize how power is generated by your solar panels and stored in the battery.
It also works with a rapid shutdown gadget connected to the solar panels.
The Pwrcell stores energy in individual battery modules contained within a battery cabinet.
Upgrading the Pwrcell’s capacity is easy.
Instead of buying a whole new battery, you’ll just purchase a new battery module.
You’ll have to hire an installer to insert the new battery module.
you’re free to have up to two battery cabinets, for a maximum capacity of 36 kWh.
Capacity breakdown
Performance and efficiency
The Pwrcell has a higher-than-average round-trip efficiency of 96.5%.
This means only 3.5% of your electricity gets lost on its way to battery storage.
The average round-trip efficiency of the lithium-ion batteries currently on the market is about 90%.
The average depth of discharge for a lithium-ion solar battery is about 94%.
The Pwrcell performs well in the power output category at larger capacities.
At smaller capacities, it’s a lot weaker.
The higher the installed capacity, the higher the power output.
A battery’s continuous power output is the amount of power the battery can handle all the time.
Performance and efficiency details
Warranty
How’s the Pwrcell’s warranty?
It’s pretty much the industry average, which isn’t a bad thing.
Here’s an overview of the Pwrcell’s warranty.
Warranty details
Years covered:This is the length of time your battery is covered under warranty.
The Pwrcell comes with a 10-year warranty, which is the industry standard.
Since this is a modular battery, each individual battery module has its own aggregate throughput.
Generac expects each battery module to deliver 7.56 MWh of energy during its lifetime.
End-of-warranty capacity guarantee:Your battery’s overall capacity will start to deteriorate over time.
This is the industry standard.
Customer support
Need help with your battery system?
The first person to call is your installer.
Since they’ll be able to physically visit the installation site, they’ll likely be the most helpful.
Your installer is also more familiar with your specific battery system.
Generac is one of the few battery manufacturers we’ve seen that offers a 24-hour support phone line.
Generac also has an online FAQ library to help you assist you as well.
Generac PWRview app
The Generac Pwrcell is compatible withGenerac’s well-rated energy management app PWRview.
The app also keeps track of your historical energy data to help calculate estimated savings.
How much does the Generac Pwrcell cost?
The Generac Pwrcell is estimated to cost between $10,000 and $20,000 before installation.
Other factors affecting price are location, the installer and the amount of solar on your roof.
For the most accurate pricing, you’ll need to speak with a Generac Pwrcell-certified installer in your area.
Is the Generac Pwrcell my best choice?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a battery and what your energy storage goals are.
But don’t limit your options to just the Pwrcell.
Explore multiple battery storage options on your own or with an installer.
Read more:Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system?
See our picks for thebest portable solar panelsandsolar generators.
This methodology also assumes you’re purchasing a battery for the main purpose of using it for energy backup.
First, we determined which categories would be used to evaluate each battery’s performance, capacity and value.
We also weighted each category.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Generac Pwrcell eligible for the federal solar tax credit?
How do I set up the Generac Pwrcell?
Generac does not do direct installations.
What is the energy storage capacity of the Generac Pwrcell?
The Generac Pwrcell can hold between 9 kWh and 18 kWh of energy capacity.
The modular design of the battery allows for expandability in increments of 3 kWh.
Once you’ve hit the maximum capacity of 18 kWh, a second battery can be installed.
Combined, this can add up to 36 kWh of energy capacity.
