“Partnering with OutBack Power and combining their storage technology with our generators will provide energy savings every day and seamless backup power to residents when they face power outages,” said Rod Lee, president, Bay City Electric Works. “By using batteries during higher time-of-use rates, homeowner’s electric bills will be reduced while lowering emissions and fuel consumption.”
Bay City Electric Works carries a range of KOHLER generators, from 8 to 150 kW output capabilities. Their residential generators are designed for large or small homes needing whole or partial backup power. Bay City and OutBack Power are combining the KOHLER generator and creating a hybrid system with the FLEXpower® Radian integrated system or SkyBox true hybrid energy system with 11 to 22kWh of lithium-ion battery storage.
On the selection of Bay City Electric Works as a partner for OutBack Power, Sanjeev Choudhary EnerSys’ vice president of Renewable and Industrial Energy Storage Systems commented, “Bay City is an excellent partner for us to help customers affected by power disruptions. With their extensive network of installers and service locations throughout California and Nevada they are well equipped to provide cost-effective energy surety for homes and small businesses by combining this set of proven technologies.”
In residential, grid-connected homes, when utility power is interrupted, an automated relay system signals the generator to start and quickly transfers the electrical loads from the failed utility to the backup batteries. The generator automatically starts up when the batteries run low or when an air conditioner or other large appliance needs to run. When utility power is restored, the system transfers the electrical loads back to the utility and shuts down the generator. By being fully compatible with OutBack Power’s automatic generator start functionality, the system can also start the generator during a power outage and recharge the batteries when they hit a recharge voltage or a specific time of day. This system can also be installed in off-grid homes to utilize generator power when backup batteries are low.
With a generator to provide for peak loads, the solar + storage system can be optimized for the best economic returns without compromising backup capacity. The solar + storage system is, in many cases, also eligible for the federal Investment Tax Credit and California’s Self Generation Incentive Program.
