Pika Energy, an energy storage solutions company, has announced new capabilities that will enable any PV system owner to couple Pika Energy storage to their existing solar array. Pika’s Harbor smart battery is one of the most powerful and efficient smart batteries on the market, storing up to 17.1kWh of energy and supplying up to 10kW of output thanks to the Panasonic Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) battery modules.
The power and capacity of the Pika Harbor smart battery has until now been reserved for owners of a Pika Energy Island, Pika’s DC-coupled solar-plus-storage platform. After the release of this update to the Pika Energy Island,any existing solar (PV) system will be able to couple with Pika’s leading battery technology. The upgrade is expected to be available by Dec 2018.
Pika Energy is also announcing two new configurations of the Harbor smart battery that will allow even more customers to access their advanced solar-plus-storage technology. Pika will be adding 8.6 kWh and 14.3 kWh options to the existing range of Harbor smart battery configurations, allowing system owners to better match their energy needs and their budget to a Pika smart battery product with greater accuracy. Harbor smart batteries can also be upgraded for more power and capacity post-installation by adding Panasonic Li-Ion battery modules. Pika’s line-up now ranges from 8.6 kWh to 17.1 kWh of useable capacity.
According to the company, its storage systems are especially valuable to solar system owners in coastal and storm-prone areas in need of a reliable extended backup solution. On its own, the Pika Energy Island solar plus storage can supply up to 50A of backup power. When coupled to an existing array, Pika system owners will have access to even more power, allowing them to run larger loads even when the grid is down. Additional features including black start capability, a local user-interface, and the ability to charge/discharge from the grid give customers more control, storm-proof resiliency and the flexibility to take advantage of state-specific solar and storage incentives.
