Q: What are the registration requirements and benefits with ISO’s to apply for energy storage rates in particular if your equipment is mostly behind the meter?

A: One would need to check with their JHA as well as their Utility Services Provider to see what regulations they have or impose for any installed solar or storage project. They want to ensure that any electrical gear installed at a facility will be safe and not have any negative interaction with the utility grid, thus causing issues for the utility or other customers. I think what you are saying is that if it is behind the meter, can the Utility object to it, or be able to dictate how it is installed or used? This is a developing area, and I do not think it is well defined yet much of the regulations and code that affects commercial storage projects.

We know it can be challenging to keep track of all the forms and resources available to you as an AEE Solar Dealer. To save you time and effort, we’ve put together a handy Quick Reference Guide, which contains links to everything from credit applications and tax forms to our shipping policy and AEE Solar Design Guide & Catalog.

We recommend downloading the Quick Reference Guide and saving it to your desktop for reference!

Download the Quick Reference Guide

OutBack Power has upgraded their 100A charge controller to now include integrated arc fault circuit detection and interruption (AFCI), making it completely compliant with 2017 NEC 690. 

FLEXmax 100 AFCI Charge Controller Features:

• Highest combination of voltage input and power output for a 100A charge controller 
• No fused combiners, smaller gauge wire and integrated GFDI and fast self-discharge circuitry
• Environmentally-sealed outdoor-rated IP54/Type 3R enclosure
• FM100AFCI Datasheet

Contact your AEE Solar sales rep or visit AEEExpress.com to place your order today!

About OutBack Power

Founded in 2001, OutBack initially designed and manufactured integration hardware used by solar installers to house and protect power electronics installed in remote environments and harsh condition locations around the world. Soon the company launched an advanced line of rugged inverter products that deliver pure sine wave power for off-grid residential and commercial installations, ultimately expanding its offering to include off-grid inverters with battery backup, grid-tie inverters with battery backup, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers, communications products and a complete line of OutBack EnergyCell batteries designed specifically for renewable energy applications.

17 years later, OutBack Power continues to lead the way with advanced off-grid and grid-interactive battery-based renewable energy systems, the fully UL 1741 SA listed Radian Series and FXR Series inverter/chargers and our SystemEdge packages that bundle the right combination of energy storage and power electronics, merging energy independence with smart home technology for a range of common applications.

OutBack is also a member of The Alpha Group — a global alliance of independent companies that share a common philosophy of creating world-class powering solutions for renewable energy, communication, commercial and industrial markets. 

Learn more about OutBack Power on their website.

Q: You talk about islanding certain loads for demand charge reduction. In residential storage there’s an energy meter linked to the ESS that monitors the whole-building consumption so that the battery can provide energy when needed. Are commercial ESS systems not like that? Seems like that would be less expensive than islanding loads.

A: For a commercial system, one could island some loads and serve them primarily with a battery based inverter system. However, commercial system owners are not likely to rewire their establishments to do so, as they have many more loads, and potentially they have them spread over several subpanels scattered throughout the facility. Currently, we are not seeing many suppliers catering to this market, and providing solutions that can help here. We hope to see more solutions soon, with computerized sub panels that can monitor loads, shed non-essential loads if needed, and send signals to a battery based inverter or generator to inject power when needed to offset demand spikes.

Register for the Discover Fall Rebate Program and save! Simply complete a brief program registration form and you’ll receive $2,000 off every third Discover AES 48V LiFePO4 battery you purchase. With a three-battery system using Discover AES LiFePO4 batteries, your customer’s system will outperform any alternative available on the market today!

Discover AES LiFePO4 Battery Features:

• Lithium-Ion Cell Chemistry
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About Discover Battery

With over 60 years of experience, Discover Battery is helping to accelerate a global power shift for a cleaner energy future. We offer world leading expertise for a range of applications, including: Renewable energy, Commercial purposes, Telecom systems, Mobility, UPS & emergency lighting

Being passionate about something doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be good at it. Conversely, being good at something isn’t always fuelled by passion. At Discover, not only are we passionate about solving difficult transportation, motive power and energy storage challenges but we are really good at it too, and probably not for the reasons anyone would think.

Discover Battery is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with 6 manufacturing facilities located in Europe, South Asia and Korea. We have other corporate and sales offices operating in several countries around the world.

Learn more about Discover Battery on their website.