anyone know batteries, esp power backups?
 

Yes

We make precisely what he wants. AND you can tie solar into the system. And a backup generator...

www.mi-grid.com

James, I have a question if you have time to give some input. I have a solar system that sofar (two years) has covered my electrical use with some excess production. I'm on the SDG&E program where my generation is banked, and have a true up period yearly the end of May. I have a 10KW back up generator that supplies my freezer, fridge, some lights, & various plug ins. We seldom have outages longer than a few hours, although we had one lasting a day & a half earlier. Was thinking of trying to get a battery back up integrated into my system, but I'm wondering if it's worth the cost, since I may end up paying full price as opposed to getting a tax credit. Alternatively I'm now considering a diesel generator to replace my gas one. A little advice would be appreciated & maybe there are some others her in the same situation.

To integrate batteries, you need another inverter, one that can create the signals needed for the solar to keep working, and the controls to charge the batteries. And, we make that system...And out system can integrate the generator.

You can't tie a generator into your house AND include the solar when the grid is down. The generator would need to run all the time and if the solar puts out more power than the house is using, it can back feed the generator.

Cost, it depends on the inverter size (4kW, 8kW, etc), and how big the battery bank. And you'll need a system for "A.C. coupling" to integrate the grid-tied solar. If the generator can automatic start, it can be integrated. There are some inexpensive gasoline generators which can, up to 12kW. Most diesel and most nat gas/propane backup generators can be integrated.

The Mi-Grid 1000 with a 8kW nat gas/propane generator and the AC coupling system is $17,175. With a 20kW Gen, it is $21,975. Plus shipping and installation. And it has ~20kWh of batteries.

As far as the tax credit is concerned, it is an upgrade and integrated into the solar energy system, so the tax credit should apply.

My brother built a Y2K bunker. It is on the grid with wind power, batteries, AND diesel. The first priority of the wind power is the charge the batteries. Then is uses the wind power to power the house. If not enough wind it uses the grid. If more power than needed from wind and batteries are powered sells back to the grid. If grid goes down, wind is too low it runs off the batteries. If batteries get too low it runs a deisel generator to run the house and charge the batteries. It took a while to get it all setup. The inverters and relays take up more space than all the batteries and generator put together.

I pointed out that his Y2K bunker was visible for miles and miles because of the wind generators sticking up above the trees. Brother told me to shut up.

Since Y2K didn't happen, he just has wind power that sells excess back to the grid or runs off the grid on calm days after the batteries get used up.

Sounds like he may be using some of the components we use. Back around Y2K, wind turbines would have been much more cost effective than solar (PV panels).