BarracudaBob
Harvesting free photons from clean fusion
Sounds like the utility is telling you to go solar 

So how are you going to run the huge ac units we use in Texas and the surge loads they have??
Just because you won't share some of that cool air. Not nice.ah yes, the AC slaves who live in the lowlands, I forget about those - sorry. I am a 5500+ ft mountain guy
Most (if not all) utility companies won't accept that. It must be impossible to export. A setting, easily accessible to the customer won't cut it.
The cold air is shared, it is right above you a mile up.Just because you won't share some of that cool air. Not nice.
I spent a lot of time in Colorado and the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia. Beautiful areas.The cold air is shared, it is right above you a mile up.
Lapse rate is about 2C per 1000 ft, so 5000 ft is 10C colder (about 18F) than sea level.
Go to 35,000 ft, it is -55C typically, very cold.
Mike C.
This could work.A possible way to do this might be to hook up the grid to the generator port on the GB and not have the grid attached to the grid port at all. The system will use the generator (now grid) when the battery is low and not when it is high, and then work out the TOU settings to get the right behavior.
Base Power Texas's main plan installs a 25kWh battery connected to the grid that they use for power price arbitrage, without solar. They charge the battery when ercot wholesale prices go negative, which frequently happens when there is excess solar on cooler sunny afternoons, and then provide power to the grid when wholesale prices spike.
When you sign up for Base Power, they become your REP (Retail Energy Provider), so they are who you are buying your electricity from. Centerpoint is only the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU). I assume that is what allows Base Power to do this.Base Power Texas's main plan installs a 25kWh battery connected to the grid that they use for power price arbitrage, without solar. They charge the battery when ercot wholesale prices go negative, which frequently happens when there is excess solar on cooler sunny afternoons, and then provide power to the grid when wholesale prices spike.
6.1 The Customer will be allowed to install and operate single-phase generating
facilities that are 50 kW or less in parallel with the CNP System at most
locations on the radial distribution system if they meet the requirements of
this specification. Depending on the point of connection to the CNP System,
single-phase generating facilities larger than 50 kW may be allowed.
7.3 For inverter systems, the Customer shall provide a one-line diagram showing
the relationship of the generating facilities tied into a breaker or breakers in
the electrical panel and the CNP meter location. The AC disconnect switch
shall be between the inverter and electrical panel and must be a lockable,
external handle, visible and readily accessible disconnect switch and typically
installed within ten feet of the CNP meter. If the AC disconnect switch is
installed more than ten feet of the CNP meter, a weather-resistant, easily read
placard must be installed within ten feet from the CNP meter, clearly
identifying the location of the AC disconnect switch.
7.4 The Customer shall provide manufacturer specifics for the inverter and
disconnect switch. The inverter specification sheet shall show that the anti-
islanding protection has been certified by IEEE 1547 or UL 1741.
Otherwise, the Customer shall test the inverter pursuant to PUCT
requirements, as specified in Articles 4.2.1 and 4.2.5 of this specification.
CNP shall receive notice and be present for the inverter testing.
Those are the specifications for an interconnected system. I believe you still have to obtain an interconnect agreement from Centerpoint. I know I did 20 years ago when I first got mine.For Centerpoint specifically, here's an interesting regulatory document that states in section 6.1 that single phase systems less than 50kW can operate in parallel as long as there is a visible lockable disconnect with-in 10' of the meter. For reference 50kW @ 220V (typical US split-phase install) is a little over 227A which is just above a typical 200A home service.
There is also a statement in section 7.0 for inverter equipment, with the requirement of a disconnect, submission of a simple diagram, and submitting of documentation for the inverter.
EDIT: The Gridboss and Flexboss both have there UL 1741 certs on the EG4 website available for download: https://eg4electronics.com/documentation/
Amen, @timselectric . This is a big thing that too many people overlook, and then end up in a bind.Most (if not all) utility companies won't accept that. It must be impossible to export. A setting, easily accessible to the customer won't cut it.
Amen, @timselectric . This is a big thing that too many people overlook, and then end up in a bind.
<Begin rant, so I can later just copy and paste this on about a hundred future threads.> Look, people: Unless you intend to enter into a net metering agreement, purchase equipment that is incapable of sending electricity back to the grid. We've heard too many people say something along the lines of, "Well, I thought I MIGHT want to send power back to the grid one day". OR, they get all starry-eye dazzled by the latest product that makes grid export possible without any clear plan to actually do that, and fail to realize that they're buying a feature that actually makes their project much harder, if not impossible.
If you don't SPECIFICALLY INTEND to grid-tie, folks, don't buy equipment that CAN do that, unless you are prepared for the rules, paperwork, actions, expense, and bureaucracy involved with owning such equipment. It's a lot like buying a semi-truck to run errands around town, then wondering why you need a commercial drivers license. If you use the wrong equipment, you're going to be held accountable for what that equipment might be able to do, not how you claim you're going to use it. <End rant>
Then we'll just have to agree to disagree. I still don't understand why anyone would purchase a sledgehammer when they just need to pound regular 10d nails. But you do you, and if others agree, they can do as they please. Many of us have seen too many situations where someone is just getting into solar, and because they don't understand the responsibilities and requirements that go along with purchasing equipment capable of exporting to the grid (but then find they don't want to do so), they're stuck with the need to go through all the utility / government red tape that would be required if they were actively exporting. If you're in a place that that's not the case, then great - have at it. But for most of the US, at least, once you have equipment capable of exporting power to the grid, you've bought yourself the red tape that goes along with that capability. Texas is known to have a mind of its own on many things, including grid connections (even to other grids). But for most of the country, grid-capable equipment is a much bigger headache if you're not actually connecting to that grid. And FWIW, I haven't missed the grid for one second of my off-grid, very electricity-dependent, life. Huge advantages? Nah.That's just not correct. In many parts of the country there's not a lot of red tape to get connected, and being connected has huge advantages that off grid does not have, even if you do not plan to export.
Then we'll just have to agree to disagree. I still don't understand why anyone would purchase a sledgehammer when they just need to pound regular 10d nails. But you do you, and if others agree, they can do as they please. Many of us have seen too many situations where someone is just getting into solar, and because they don't understand the responsibilities and requirements that go along with purchasing equipment capable of exporting to the grid (but then find they don't want to do so), they're stuck with the need to go through all the utility / government red tape that would be required if they were actively exporting. If you're in a place that that's not the case, then great - have at it. But for most of the US, at least, once you have equipment capable of exporting power to the grid, you've bought yourself the red tape that goes along with that capability. Texas is known to have a mind of its own on many things, including grid connections (even to other grids). But for most of the country, grid-capable equipment is a much bigger headache if you're not actually connecting to that grid. And FWIW, I haven't missed the grid for one second of my off-grid, very electricity-dependent, life. Huge advantages? Nah.
I still don't understand why anyone would purchase a sledgehammer when they just need to pound regular 10d nails.
I got a company to install home battery backup without solar. The system include EG4 Gridboss, Flexboss21, and battery. Everything seems fine with the consultant and they did site survey. Then I got a call back that the utility doesn't permit home battery backup without solar. It doesn't make any sense as why solar is requirement for home backup. I don't want to push power back to the grid. I just want to charge the battery during the night and use it during the day. My house is located in Houston and Centerpoint is the utility.
Most people usually pair solar with home backup, so I can't find the answer online. Anyone encounter this?
I cancelled the contract with that company since they said I need solar. I haven't got anyone else doing it yet as it's hard to find someone to do EG4 installation.Updates? Also who installed the eg4 equipment and price?
Do you have the space for a backyard pergola (patio cover) or a parking cover? That could keep it off of your roof and provide usable shaded space.My other option is going with Tesla 8.2 Kw solar and 1 Powerwall3 and 2 Powerwall Expansion for about $41,000 before 30% tax credit. I really don't want to do solar because my roof is 15 years old.
I do have a big covered patio and that would be my last resort. I have a two-story house and the house would shade it toward the evening.Do you have the space for a backyard pergola (patio cover) or a parking cover? That could keep it off of your roof and provide usable shaded space.