Just to add to the discussion: Maui Electric (MECO) has had the same
policy of denying all battery based systems. My understanding is they
won't even allow simple battery backup systems (no grid tie, so sell back).
PNM (in Alan's backyard) used to require a very expensive and
unnecessary load break rated transfer switch for battery backup systems:-(
This issue is important to all of us, as regular grid tie goes more
towards big lease outfits like Solar City, et al. these more
complicated backup systems could be the smaller installers' bread and
butter. It also has the capability in the future of further stabilizing
the grid. Being able to sell from the battery during potential brown
outs with the utility's consent might actually give the utilities more
incentive to allow these systems.
With talk of even electric vehicles being able to sell back some of
their stored energy at peak times, I think the potential to further
stabilize the grid is there, but of course the old school guard is wary
of anything that might loosen their monopolies.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 8/8/2013 3:50 PM, Allan Sindelar wrote:
Phil and Wrenches,
I agree that SCE's position is not suppportable. SCE has a long
history of obstructing PV while professing to support it; that's my
opinion based on following online PV newsletters and Wrenches posts
over the years. If SCE gets away with this, other utilities are likely
to follow. I don't know what action if any we should take, as we're
not in California. Should installers outside of California weigh in on
this? If so, how?
I am also of the opinion that utilities in general are gathering
resources to fight back against this disruptive technology - PV, not
batteries - that will fundamentally alter their
regulated-monopoly-with-guaranteed-rate-of-return business structure.
New Mexico is no exception, as we have already seen on multiple occasions.
Simple reality: buying power at nighttime off peak rates to charge
batteries in order to sell power back at peak day rates is not cost
effective when the amortized cost of battery replacement due to heavy
cycling is factored in. So independent of the legality of SCE's
position, it simply doesn't make financial sense.
Allan
*Allan Sindelar*
_Allan@positiveenergysolar.com_ <mailto:al...@positiveenergysolar.com>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder and Chief Technology Officer
*Positive Energy, Inc.*, a Certified B Corporation^TM
3209 Richards Lane
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
*505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell*
_www.positiveenergysolar.com_ <http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/>
On 8/8/2013 3:02 PM, Phil Undercuffler wrote:
Wrenches,
Unfortunately, this is affecting all battery-based systems -- it's
not limited to OutBack.
SCE recently issued an External Memorandum stating their position.
I've read the memorandum, but I've also read SCE's Rule 21 and their
NEM tariff, and the utility's position is not supported by their own
rules. These systems fully meet the requirements of the SCE Rule 21
and NEM Tariff. The new RPS Guidebook, which the SCE NEM Tariff uses
to define permissible systems, allows for two classes of energy
storage -- Integrated, and Directly Connected. With Directly
Connected energy storage, the system can be charged by any number of
sources. The customer is allowed to have onsite loads. Maintaining
a battery is an onsite load. The only energy exported is from the
renewable source, the PV array.
SCE's position that the battery can never charge from the grid is
simply not supported by their own rules, However, their current
position has put a substantial barrier in place to homeowners that
desire grid-tie with battery backup, and to businesses like your own
that support this market. We need to push back against this
position, and help people move forward with their renewable energy
systems.
I would ask any of you affected by this issue to press the CPUC to
give SCE and the other utilities clear and specific guidance on this
issue as soon as possible. Explain how this current impasse affects
your business and your customers. Telephone: 866-849-8390
<tel:866-849-8390> or 415-703-2074 <tel:415-703-2074> Email:
public.advi...@cpuc.ca.gov
<mailto:public.advi...@cpuc.ca.gov>. Better yet, file a complaint
with the CPUC, either as an informal complaint or as a formal
complaint. Formal complaints carry far more weight, but take more
work. More info on the process is available at
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/aboutus/Divisions/CSID/Public+Advisor/
Best regards,
Philip Undercuffler
Director, Product Management and Strategy
OutBack Power Technologies
17825 59th Ave NE, Suite B, Arlington, WA 98223
360.618.4306 <tel:360.618.4306> office | 425.319.2821
<tel:425.319.2821> mobile
www.outbackpower.com <http://www.outbackpower.com>
On Thu, Aug 8, 2013 at 7:45 AM, August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com
<mailto:aug...@luminalt.com>> wrote:
Hi Wrenches,
I bumped into this article about an Outback battery backup system
being rejected by a utility in Southern CA:
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/08/solar-battery-backup-under-attack-in-california?cmpid=SolarNL-2013-08-08
It sounds like the utility is rejecting the system because the
batteries have the capability of feeding back to the grid. I'm
not familiar enough with the Outback system to know how this
would work. We are installing a pretty good amount of Sunny
Island based battery backups these days but they don't have the
capability of sending battery power to the grid.
Thoughts?
-August
*August Goers*
Luminalt Energy Corporation
o: 415.641.4000 <tel:415.641.4000>
m: 415.559.1525 <tel:415.559.1525>
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