General

Why should I buy an Evergrid?

The Evergrid enables a residential PV array to continue to produce power during a grid outage. Under normal conditions, an inverter is forced to shut down when the grid is not present to stabilize the waveform, balance the loads and provide surge power. The Evergrid stands in for the grid, providing all of these functions during a blackout.

Why would my solar array stop producing power during a blackout?

A residential solar array with a standard inverter is not a standalone installation. It relies on the electrical grid to: a) maintain the voltage waveform, b) provide extra power when surge-heavy loads turn on, and c) provide a sink for excess energy that is produced by the array but not used by the house loads. When the grid goes down, the inverter is forced to turn off as well. The Evergrid fulfills these roles during a blackout, enabling the inverter to keep power flowing safely from the solar array to the house loads.

How many days will the Evergrid work during a power outage?

The Evergrid will allow your PV system to run indefinitely during a grid outage, providing power as long as the sun is shining.

Will it give me nighttime power?

The Evergrid-Backup includes battery storage for night time power.

Where can I buy the Evergrid?

The Evergrid will be available through select solar installers. Watch our News page for info on availability.

Operation

During a power outage, how quickly does the Evergrid restore power to my home?

Once the interlocked switch is thrown to disconnect the house from the grid and enable the Evergrid, the startup cycle takes 3-5 minutes.

What happens to excess power from my array?

Any power the PV inverter produces that is not instantly used is dumped to an on-board heater or auxiliary load, such as a water heater.

How many appliances can I run with an Evergrid?

The number of loads that can be supported depend upon the size of the PV array and the Evergrid model.

Will the Evergrid work with smart appliances or home automation software?

The Evergrid includes a smart phone app that manages the balance between power production and consumption. It also enables communication with home automation software and smart appliances.

What happens if I exceed the power capacity of my PV system?

The Evergrid monitors the reserve capacity of the system and will provides feedback on the power status (instantaneous reserve, generated, and load). The system will alert the homeowner via a smartphone app when reserve capacity is low. If the PV system power capacity is exceeded, the Evergrid app will put out an audible alarm so the user has time to quickly switch off a load without triggering a momentary blackout.

If an unsustainably high load is applied, the Evergrid will introduce a temporary blackout. The inverter continues to operate and recharge the Evergrid flywheel, then once the home’s power load has been reduced, the homeowner signals the Evergrid (through the app or front panel) to immediately end the blackout.

A home automation interface will allow the Evergrid to communicate directly with smart devices in the home to manage loads and capacity. 

Installation

What are the Evergrid installation requirements?

The unit is free-standing and requires no mounting. It should be located in a dry area adjacent to the main breaker panel, with approximately 12 inches (30 cm) clearance on the left and right sides. The connection to the main panel is through a 2-throw 50/75 amp breaker and a mechanical interlock, or through an automatic transfer switch to the service disconnect. Heat can be dissipated into the room, or it can be vented to the outside air via flexible ducting.

How big/small of an array do I need to use the Evergrid?

The Evergrid supports PV systems up to 12kW. There is no minimum size for an array.

Can I install the Evergrid myself?

The only installation required is a connection to the electrical panel, via a 2-throw 50/75 amp breaker and a mechanical interlock, or via an automatic transfer switch to the service disconnect. Maxout recommends that these connections be completed by a qualified electrical contractor.

Where should I install my Evergrid?

The unit is free-standing and requires no mounting. It should be located in a dry area adjacent to the main breaker panel, with approximately 24 inches (61cm) clearance in all directions, preferably inside a garage or carport.

Can I add an Evergrid to my existing solar PV system?

The Evergrid is an easy retrofit to existing systems, and a valuable addition to a new system. The maximum PV system size is 12kW.

Can the Evergrid damage my inverter?

The Evergrid does not pose potential damage for an inverter. It may, in fact, prolong the inverter’s life by limiting surge events.

Compatibility

Does the Evergrid help if I already have a battery backup system?

Yes. The Evergrid provides up to 15 kW of surge power on top of the battery backup system capacity, which will extend the capabilities of your existing system.  The Evergrid will also protect existing batteries from "overload events," a common cause of service calls for battery backup systems during grid outages. It extends battery life by protecting them from life-limiting surge events.

What if I only have a small array?

There is no minimum size for an array. In fact, the Evergrid’s surge capacity can  allow even a small system to power surge-heavy appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners.

Does the Evergrid work with micro-inverters?

 Yes, the Evergrid works with both string inverters and micro-inverters.

Does the Evergrid work without a PV array?

For the current Evergrid model a PV array is required.

Financial

How much will the Evergrid cost?

The Evergrid will start at a target price of around $1000 for a system with 6kW surge backup power.