Generac's New Home Battery Adds Power to Modularity

Generac is a big name in home generators, but it's also offered a home battery for years. Now it's launching the second generation of that home battery with a more powerful output.

The current model of the Generac PWRcell features a modular cabinet-like design where smaller battery modules are slotted into a cabinet and add up energy storage capacity. 

The new model announced at this year's RE+ trade show in Anaheim, California, is the PWRcell 2. The new battery system keeps its modular design, with capacity offerings from 9-18 kilowatt-hours per battery cabinet. You're also getting a much needed power boost, with 5.1 to 10.3 kilowatts of output, depending on how many modules are in the battery cabinet. 

The PWRcell 2 is expected to be available by the end of 2024.

Same modular design

Generac's previous PWRcell battery was named the best modular battery on CNET's list of the best solar batteries. The PWRcell 2 uses a similar modular design to the previous PWRcell model. 

Instead of one giant battery, the PWRcell system slots several small 3kWh battery modules into a cabinet. The more modules you add to the battery cabinet, the higher your energy storage capacity. Modular batteries give you more flexibility when it comes to how much energy storage capacity you have available with a single battery system, allowing you to customize your capacity to suit your household's energy needs. If you need a small capacity upgrade, you can add another module to your existing battery cabinet, instead of buying another giant battery. 

One PWRcell 2 battery cabinet can store 9-18kWh of energy, depending on how many modules are in the cabinet. One cabinet can hold up to six modules. If you need more than 18kWh, you can add up to three additional battery cabinets for a total capacity of 72kWh. 

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A more powerful battery

PWRcell 2 comes with a solid upgrade in power too. It has a maximum continuous power range of 5.1kW to 10.3kW, which again, is dependent on the number of modules installed.

Generac also announced PWRcell MAX. Not much is known about MAX yet, but Generac says PWRcell MAX boasts an even higher continuous power output of 11.5kW. This is comparable to Tesla's Powerwall 3 battery. The higher your system's output, the more appliances and areas of your home you can send backup power to.

The PWRcell 2 system has a round-trip efficiency of 88%, which is pretty close to industry standard for lithium-ion based home batteries (90%). The system also comes with a 10-year warranty and can be installed alongside Generac's gas-powered generators. PWRcell 2 is designed to integrate with Ecobee smart thermostats as well. 

Generac says PWRcell 2 will be available by the end of 2024. PWRcell MAX is expected to launch sometime in 2025.

What are the benefits of home batteries?

The biggest benefit home batteries provide is peace of mind during a power outage. Home batteries function as an electric alternative to gas-powered backup generators. The battery stores electricity (either charged from the grid or solar panels) and deploys it to certain parts of your home in the event of an outage. 

You can also use home batteries to help you avoid expensive time-of-use rates. Certain utilities charge higher rates during specific hours of the day when the demand for electricity is high, which is typically in the early morning and evening hours. By using stored energy from your battery when time of use rates are in effect, you can avoid buying expensive electricity from the grid during those hours. You can recharge your battery via grid power when rates go back to normal. 

If you have solar panels, a home battery can also help make sure none of your solar energy goes to waste by storing any excess solar energy your panels generate in a battery. This can be particularly useful in places with lower net metering rates, where you aren't being compensated as much for your solar energy when you sell it to the utility.