Battery energy storage systems can be complex and sometimes difficult to enter into PowerClerk. The intent of this article is to provide a resource trade allies may reference during application submissions to ensure accuracy and reduce pending paperwork errors.
PV system details: The PV system feature captures both PV and battery information. All projects will include PV information unless it’s a battery-only application. This is also where DC-coupled integrated storage systems will be found in the inverter dropdown.
Battery energy storage system: The BESS feature captures distinct inverter and battery storage configurations along with integrated energy storage systems. For storage-only applications, i.e., projects adding additional AC- or DC-coupled battery capacity to an existing qualifying solar project, the information will always be submitted using just the BESS feature.
AC-coupled: The power from the PV array is converted into AC by an inverter and then back to DC for the battery eithe by another inverter or an integrated energy storage system. Most battery retrofits and microinverter projects are AC-coupled and should be submitted in PowerClerk using the PV system and BESS features in PowerClerk.
DC-Ccoupled: DC-coupled systems have batteries directly charged by the PV system without a DC/AC inversion. DC-coupled systems are submitted in the PV system details with either an energy storage system that includes an integrated BESS “[ESS]” in the inverter dropdown (Example #1, below), or a non-integrated battery in the battery dropdown, (Example #2, below).
Example #1: DC-coupled integrated storage system
Example #2: DC-coupled non-integrated storage system with hybrid inverter
Things to note:
- Not all battery storage equipment available in PowerClerk dropdowns is eligible for incentives. Please consult the Battery Storage Eligibility Requirements for a full list of eligible equipment.
- Ensure that the total nameplate capacity, inverter rating, max continuous discharge and model numbers match what is listed on one-lines.
For more information, visit the Forms & Resources page on the Insider. As always, if you have questions on how best to list a battery energy storage system in PowerClerk, please reach out to your account manager or solar@energytrust.org.