May 8, 2025 • 27 mins
Are power outages constantly disrupting your life? Are you tired of those shocking electricity bills that seem to climb higher every month? It's time to take back control of your home's energy.
In this episode, we dive deep into the FranklinWH home battery system, a leading solution transforming how homeowners in the US manage their power. Discover how this intelligent technology can provide seamless backup during blackouts, keeping your lights on and essentials running. We'll explore how it integrates with solar (or works even if you don't have it!) to maximize your energy savings, especially if you're on Time-of-Use utility rates.
Join us as we unpack:
- How the FranklinWH system (aPower battery & aGate controller) works its magic.
- The real-world benefits: uninterrupted power, significant cost reductions, and greater energy independence.
- Practicalities: Sizing the right system for your home, what installation involves, and realistic cost considerations.
- Crucial U.S. Incentives: We'll guide you through making this investment more affordable, including the latest on the Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) for batteries, state-level rebates, and potential utility programs. (Info as of May 2025, always verify current details).
If you're a homeowner ready to enhance your home's resilience, reduce your carbon footprint, and make smarter energy choices, this episode is your essential guide to the FranklinWH home battery solution. Stop being at the mercy of the grid – start powering your future.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Ever imagine your whole house just...
well, powering through ablackout.
Not a flicker, not even a resetclock, but everything running
like the grid, never evenhiccuped.
SPEAKER_01 (00:11):
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (00:12):
Your AC's still humming, maybe your EAV happily
charging in the garage.
SPEAKER_01 (00:16):
Yeah, that's a dream for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_00 (00:18):
Welcome back to SolarScoop, everyone.
Today we're diving deep into theFranklin WH home battery system.
SPEAKER_01 (00:24):
And this deep dive is really for you, you know, the
savvy homeowner looking beyondthe basics, someone who wants to
truly understand the leadingedge of home energy
independence.
SPEAKER_00 (00:35):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (00:35):
We're going to unpack what sets Franklin WH
apart in what's become a prettycrowded home battery market.
We're drawing insights from areally in-depth discussion by
the experts over at IntegrateSun.
SPEAKER_00 (00:46):
Right.
We're cutting through the techtalk, the jargon, to bring you
the crucial details.
What this system does, how itactually works, the real costs
involved.
SPEAKER_01 (00:54):
And those really important incentives.
SPEAKER_00 (00:57):
Oh yeah, the incentives.
They can make this a total gamechanger for your home.
So, Let's get started.
Franklin WH, they came onto thescene pretty quickly, didn't
they?
Since 2019.
Making waves.
SPEAKER_01 (01:08):
They really have.
It's interesting how strongreputation they've built in,
well, a relatively short time.
While they are a newer company,Franklin WH is seen as a real
innovator.
And maybe even more telling,actually, is the positive
feedback from solar installersthemselves.
SPEAKER_00 (01:25):
Okay, the folks on the ground.
SPEAKER_01 (01:26):
Exactly.
These are the professionalsinstalling and working with
these systems day in, day out.
So their positive reviews, thatsignals a pretty reliable and
well-designed product.
SPEAKER_00 (01:36):
So what's the core idea there?
What's driving that positivebuzz?
What makes Franklin WH, youknow, different?
SPEAKER_01 (01:42):
I think the central philosophy, the big thing, is
true whole home backup power.
SPEAKER_00 (01:47):
True whole home.
SPEAKER_01 (01:48):
Okay.
Yeah.
And that's a key distinction.
You know, many other batterysystems, they might only power
essential circuits, maybe yourlights, fridge, a few outlets.
SPEAKER_00 (01:56):
The basics.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Right.
Franklin WH's goal is really tokeep your entire home running
smoothly during an outage.
SPEAKER_00 (02:03):
Okay.
Whole home backup.
That sounds like well, a prettybig leap.
How do they actually pull thatoff?
What are the main parts?
SPEAKER_01 (02:10):
So the system basically has two main pieces.
First, you've got the A powerbattery unit.
SPEAKER_00 (02:16):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
Now, this isn't just a battery.
It's actually got a built-ininverter.
SPEAKER_00 (02:21):
Ah, the inverter's in the battery.
SPEAKER_01 (02:22):
Exactly.
And the inverter, you know, it'slike the translator converting
the battery's DC power into theAC power that runs your home.
SPEAKER_00 (02:29):
Got it.
SPEAKER_01 (02:30):
Then the second key part is the A gate controller.
This is really the intelligenthub, the brain.
SPEAKER_00 (02:34):
The brain, okay.
SPEAKER_01 (02:35):
It It manages the flow of energy between your
solar panels, the grid, thebattery, and even looking ahead,
potentially your electricvehicle too.
SPEAKER_00 (02:43):
Interesting.
So it's not just storage, it'ssmart energy flow.
Integrate Sun mentioned thatFranklin WH has kind of
reimagined home battery tech.
What does that reimagining looklike for us homeowners?
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
Well, if you look at the bigger picture, it seems
like Franklin WH took a stepback.
They looked at the limitationsof existing battery systems.
Right.
Instead of just making smallimprovements on older designs,
they've created a system reallydesigned from the ground up for
seamless, comprehensive homeenergy management.
And this integrated approach, itcan lead to more efficient
(03:18):
operation.
Plus, as Integrate Sunhighlighted, it also translates
to potentially significantsavings during outages because
you're not restricted in whatyou can actually power.
SPEAKER_00 (03:28):
Savings during a blackout, yeah, that definitely
gets your attention.
Okay, so we've got the A-Powerbattery, built-in inverter, and
the A-Gate controller the brain.
Let's dig into how this allworks together.
What's the tech inside?
SPEAKER_01 (03:39):
Okay, let's start with the A-Power 2 battery
itself.
It uses lithium iron phosphatechemistry,
SPEAKER_00 (03:45):
LFP.
LFP, right.
Heard of that.
SPEAKER_01 (03:47):
Yeah, it's a really safe and stable type of battery
known for lasting a long time,which is, you know, why Franklin
WH uses it.
Each A-Power 2 unit stores 15kilowatt hours of usable energy.
SPEAKER_00 (03:58):
15 kilowatt hours,
SPEAKER_01 (03:59):
okay.
Then you have the A-Gatecontroller, that intelligent hub
we mentioned.
It basically sits between allyour energy sources, solar,
grid, battery, and your home'selectrical panel.
And it's constantly monitoringand directing the power flow,
making decisions.
SPEAKER_00 (04:13):
So how do I interact with it?
Is there like an app orsomething?
SPEAKER_01 (04:16):
Absolutely.
Franklin WH provides auser-friendly app.
Think of it like your energydashboard.
You can see in real time howmuch power you're using, how
much is stored in your battery,and importantly, you can
customize how the systemoperates.
You can tweak it to fit yourspecific needs and preferences.
SPEAKER_00 (04:34):
So when the power does go out, How smooth is that
switch?
Is it like instant?
SPEAKER_01 (04:39):
According to Integrate, son, yeah.
The A-gate is designed to detecta grid outage almost instantly.
Wow.
And it automatically switchesyour home over to battery power
from the A-power too.
The goal is a truly seamlesstransition, right?
You know, minimizing anydisruption you might not even
notice.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
That's really good to hear.
Now, what about those of us ontime of use plans where
electricity costs more atcertain times?
Can this system help managethose costs?
SPEAKER_01 (05:06):
Definitely.
Definitely.
That's a big part of the smartaspect.
The 8GATE can be programmed tointelligently manage your energy
use based on your specific TOUplan.
SPEAKER_00 (05:15):
How does that work?
SPEAKER_01 (05:15):
Well, it can use stored battery power during
those expensive peak hours.
SPEAKER_00 (05:19):
Right, when prices are high.
SPEAKER_01 (05:21):
Exactly.
And then recharge the batteryeither from your solar panels
during the day or from the gridduring those cheaper off-peak
hours at night.
It's all about maximizingsavings on your electricity
bill.
SPEAKER_00 (05:32):
Smart.
And what if someone has, like, areally big house or uses it to
Yes.
The
SPEAKER_01 (05:39):
system is designed to be scalable.
You can connect multiple A powerto units and they're all managed
by just a single A gatecontroller.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Oh, just one brain.
SPEAKER_01 (05:48):
Just one brain.
Integrate Sun mentioned youcould potentially go up to, I
think it was 225 kilowatt hoursof storage.
SPEAKER_00 (05:55):
Whoa, that's massive.
SPEAKER_01 (05:56):
It's a significant amount of power.
Yeah.
Enough for even the largesthomes or maybe small businesses.
SPEAKER_00 (06:01):
Now, a lot of people listening might already have
solar panels.
How easy is it to add FranklinW.H.?
UNKNOWN (00:00):
?
SPEAKER_00 (06:06):
to an existing solar setup?
Is it complicated?
SPEAKER_01 (06:10):
Generally, it's pretty straightforward.
That's thanks to its AC-coupleddesign.
SPEAKER_00 (06:13):
AC-coupled, okay.
What does that mean practically?
SPEAKER_01 (06:16):
It means it's compatible with most brands of
solar inverters already outthere.
So if you already have a solarsystem, you can likely add a
Franklin WH battery withoutneeding to replace your existing
solar gear.
SPEAKER_00 (06:28):
Ah, so you don't have to rip everything out.
SPEAKER_01 (06:30):
Exactly.
It makes it a really appealingoption for retrofitting for
adding battery backup to yourcurrent solar setup.
SPEAKER_00 (06:36):
Okay, it sounds really impressive from a tech
standpoint.
Let's get into the the nuts andbolts, the key specs, the
performance numbers we shouldknow.
SPEAKER_01 (06:44):
Sure.
So each APower2 unit, as wesaid, offers 15 kilowatt hours
of usable storage.
And critically, it has acontinuous power output of 11.5
kilovolt amperes or KVA.
SPEAKER_00 (06:58):
11.5 KVA continuous.
Is that a lot?
SPEAKER_01 (07:01):
It is pretty substantial for a home battery.
That high power output is reallyimportant because it means the
system can handle those energyhungry appliances.
Things like air conditioners,electric ovens, maybe even well
pumps.
SPEAKER_00 (07:13):
All running at the same time?
SPEAKER_01 (07:14):
Potentially, yes, depending on the specific load.
It's about powering your actuallife, not just, you know,
keeping a few lights on.
SPEAKER_00 (07:20):
That's a big difference.
What about durability?
How does it hold up in, say,really hot or cold weather?
SPEAKER_01 (07:27):
It seems built to be pretty resilient.
The operating temperature rangeis quite wide, minus C4 degrees
up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
SPEAKER_00 (07:33):
Okay, that covers most places.
SPEAKER_01 (07:35):
Yeah.
Plus, it has an IP67weatherproof rating.
SPEAKER_00 (07:39):
IP67?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (07:40):
That basically Basically means it's well
protected from dust and water,so you can install it in various
outdoor locations without toomuch worry.
SPEAKER_00 (07:46):
Interesting.
Integrate Sun mentionedsomething about natural cooling
technology.
What's the advantage there?
SPEAKER_01 (07:52):
Right.
Natural cooling means the systemdoesn't rely on internal fans to
keep its temperature down.
SPEAKER_00 (07:58):
Ah, no fans whirring away.
SPEAKER_01 (07:59):
Exactly.
And this can potentially boostthe system's reliability over
the long term, simply becausethere are fewer moving parts
that could potentially fail downthe line.
SPEAKER_00 (08:07):
Makes sense.
And you touched on this earlier,but maybe explain again the
unique thing about its 120 208volt support why is that a big
deal
SPEAKER_01 (08:15):
okay so this is a significant differentiator for
franklin wh most single-familyhomes in the u.s use a 122 40
volt system that's standardright but many condos apartments
and multi-family buildingsactually operate on a 120 208
volt system
SPEAKER_00 (08:31):
oh okay different
SPEAKER_01 (08:32):
setup yeah and franklin wh's strong support for
this 208 volt system makes itone of the few really readily
available options for thosetypes of residences it brings
home battery storage to a muchwider audience than just
standalone houses
SPEAKER_00 (08:46):
so it's powerful durable adaptable okay let's get
to the big question the costwhat kind of investment are we
actually talking about here
SPEAKER_01 (08:54):
right so based on the information from integrate
sun a standard franklin whsystem that's one a power
battery and the a gatecontroller professionally
installed you're likely lookingat around eighteen thousand
dollars that's before anyincentives
SPEAKER_00 (09:07):
okay eighteen thousand dollars that's yeah
that's a significant
SPEAKER_01 (09:10):
number it definitely is it's a major home investment.
SPEAKER_00 (09:12):
But what about those incentives we keep hearing
about?
How much can they actually knockoff that price tag?
This is
SPEAKER_01 (09:17):
where it gets interesting.
The most immediate andwidespread saving comes from the
30% federal tax credit.
SPEAKER_00 (09:24):
The federal one, right?
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
Yeah.
And that applies to the entirecost, including the installation
labor.
So for that$18,000 system, youcould potentially see your net
cost drop to around$12,600 afterclaiming that credit.
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
Okay.
$12,600 is still some but that'sa big chunk off.
SPEAKER_01 (09:42):
It's a very significant reduction, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (09:44):
Can we break down the cost per kilowatt hour
maybe, just to get a sense ofthe value compared to capacity?
SPEAKER_01 (09:50):
Sure.
For a single A power unit, thatinitial$18,000 cost works out to
roughly$925 per kilowatt hourbefore incentives.
Okay.
However, as Integrate Sunpointed out, as you add more
batteries, you start to see someeconomies of scale.
SPEAKER_00 (10:06):
Right, because you only need the one gate
controller.
SPEAKER_01 (10:08):
Exactly.
So for a system with, say, threebatteries, the cost per kilowatt
hour might come down closer toaround$770, still before
incentives, of course.
But adding more batteries doesincrease the overall system
price naturally.
SPEAKER_00 (10:20):
Naturally.
And we also need to remember theinstallation cost itself, right?
That's baked into the$18Kestimate, but it varies.
SPEAKER_01 (10:27):
That's correct.
Professional installation isabsolutely crucial.
And that part typically addssomewhere between, say,$2,000
and$5,000 to the total.
SPEAKER_00 (10:37):
Why such a range?
SPEAKER_01 (10:39):
It really depends on the specific of your home's
electrical system, where thecomponents are going, the
complexity of the wiring.
So it's really important to getdetailed quotes from qualified
installers.
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Got it.
So, okay, a significantinvestment, even with the
federal credit.
What's the case for choosingFranklin WH despite this initial
cost?
What's the argument?
SPEAKER_01 (11:00):
Well, the justification really rests on
several key factors.
First, there's the peace of mindthat comes with their 15-year
warranty.
SPEAKER_00 (11:06):
15 years, what?
SPEAKER_01 (11:07):
Yeah, that's longer than the typical industry
standard, maybe 10 yearsusually.
It reflects their confidence inthat LFP battery technology.
Then you need to consider thepotential long-term savings.
If you have solar panels, you'llobviously be drawing much less
power from the grid.
Even without solar, you can usethat time of eustress we talked
about, use battery power duringpeak rates, charge it cheap,
(11:28):
avoid those high costs.
And then, of course, there'sthis significant, maybe hard to
quantify value of just havingreliable whole home backup
power.
No disruptions.
SPEAKER_00 (11:40):
Peace of mind has value.
SPEAKER_01 (11:41):
It absolutely does.
Some analysis suggests you couldsee a positive return on
investment within about fiveyears, especially when you
factor in all the incentives.
Five years.
And ultimately, for many people,the goal, especially when you
combine it with solar, is tosignificantly reduce or maybe
even completely eliminate theirmonthly electricity bills over
the long
SPEAKER_00 (12:01):
haul.
The ultimate goal for many.
Yeah.
Those long-term savingsdefinitely changed the
SPEAKER_01 (12:05):
math.
SPEAKER_00 (12:06):
Now, you mentioned that in some areas the cost
could be even lower because ofstate and local incentives.
Let's dig into those.
You call them game-changing.
SPEAKER_01 (12:13):
Yeah.
This is where things can getreally exciting and where the
actual out-of-pocket cost foryou, the homeowner, could be
dramatically lower than that$12,600 federal credit price.
Okay.
So while the 30% federal taxcredit is a great baseline and
it's available through 2035,which is good.
SPEAKER_00 (12:31):
Good to know.
SPEAKER_01 (12:32):
The real potential for major savings often lies in
those incentives offered at thestate and even the local utility
level.
SPEAKER_00 (12:39):
Can you give us some examples?
Like, what are we talking about?
SPEAKER_01 (12:42):
Okay, well, California's self-generation
incentive program, SGIP, is aprime example.
SPEAKER_00 (12:46):
SGIP, oh.
SPEAKER_01 (12:47):
Integrate Sun highlighted that it can offer up
to$1,000 per kilowatt hour for asingle power unit.
SPEAKER_00 (12:54):
$1,000 per kilowatt.
So for a 15-kilowatt battery?
SPEAKER_01 (12:57):
You do the math.
That could be over$15,000 inrebates just in California under
the right conditions.
SPEAKER_00 (13:03):
Wow.
That practically pays for mostof it.
SPEAKER_01 (13:05):
It can drastically reduce the cost, yes.
New York is also launching aprogram NYSERDA, I think
starting June 2025, that'sexpected to offer around$200 per
kilowatt hour.
Still significant.
And even some utility companiesare getting involved directly,
like Duke Energy in NorthCarolina.
They offer an annual payment,something like$552 a year just
(13:26):
for having an installed batteryconnected.
SPEAKER_00 (13:28):
They pay you just to have it.
SPEAKER_01 (13:29):
Yeah, because it helps stabilize their grid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:31):
OK, state incentives, utility payments.
And then there was this idea ofvirtual power plants.
VPPs.
How do those fit in?
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
Right.
VPPs.
These programs basically allowyour utility company to access
the energy stored in yourbattery during periods of really
high demand on the grid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:48):
So they borrow your power.
SPEAKER_01 (13:49):
In a way, yes.
They draw power when the grid isstressed, and in return for
allowing this access, you getpaid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:55):
How much are we talking?
SPEAKER_01 (13:56):
Integrate Sun mentioned that VTT participants
are earning$500 or more annuallyin some areas just for making
their battery available.
And importantly, you still keepit ready for your own backup
needs if the power goes out.
SPEAKER_00 (14:10):
So you get paid, and you still have your backup.
SPEAKER_01 (14:12):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_00 (14:13):
Wow.
Okay, so with all these combinedincentives, federal, state,
utility, VBPs, that initial$18,000 number could look very,
very different.
SPEAKER_01 (14:22):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_00 (14:23):
Integrate Sun even suggested, I think you said,
that in some cases, the totalcost after incentives could be
less than what a single badextended power outage might cost
someone in terms of spoiledfood, lost work, hotel stays.
SPEAKER_01 (14:36):
It's a powerful thought, isn't it?
It really underscores thepotential for a surprisingly
rapid return on investment whenyou stack up these savings,
especially considering, youknow, the increasing frequency
and impact of power outages inmany parts Definitely
SPEAKER_00 (14:51):
food for thought.
Okay, we're going to take aquick pause right here.
When we come back, we'll explorethe smart features that make the
Franklin WH system sointelligent and really discuss
who this technology is the bestfit for.
Stay tuned.
We'll be right back.
Mid-break.
Welcome back to Solar Scoop.
Before the break, we were deepinto the capabilities and the
(15:13):
potentially much lower costs ofthe Franklin WH home battery
system, thanks to all thoseincentives.
SPEAKER_01 (15:18):
Right.
The financial side can lookpretty attractive in the right
circumstances.
SPEAKER_00 (15:21):
Definitely.
Now, let's shift gears a bit andexplore what makes this system
truly amazing.
Well, smart.
Beyond just holding onto power,what are some of the standout
intelligent features and uniqueadvantages it brings?
SPEAKER_01 (15:33):
Yeah.
What's really noteworthy is thatFranklin WH seems to have
designed this to be much morethan just a dumb box holding
electricity.
It's really about proactive andintelligent energy management.
Okay.
So one key feature is its smartcircuit functionality.
SPEAKER_00 (15:47):
Smart circuits.
SPEAKER_01 (15:49):
Yeah.
It means the system canautomatically prioritize power
to your most critical loadsduring an outage.
SPEAKER_00 (15:55):
So you tell it what's most important.
SPEAKER_01 (15:57):
Exactly.
You or your installer candesignate certain circuits,
maybe for medical devices, therefrigerator, your internet
modem as critical.
So if the battery starts runninglow, the system makes sure those
essential things keep running,while maybe less critical
appliances, like, I don't know,the dishwasher, might be
temporarily powered down toconserve energy.
SPEAKER_00 (16:18):
That kind of detailed control sounds
incredibly useful during a realoutage.
Makes the power last longer forwhat matters.
Precisely.
What about working with otherthings, like generators or EVs?
SPEAKER_01 (16:29):
Yeah, this is another area where Franklin WH
shows some real forward thinkingin its design.
The A-gate controller, thebrain, is engineered to
integrate pretty seamlessly withbackup generators.
SPEAKER_00 (16:41):
Oh, so you can have battery and generator.
SPEAKER_01 (16:42):
Yes, working together intelligently.
And looking ahead, maybe evenmore exciting, is the
integration with electricvehicles.
SPEAKER_00 (16:49):
How would that work?
SPEAKER_01 (16:50):
Integrate Sun specifically mentioned the
potential for your EV.
They used the example of a FordF-150 Lightning to actually act
as an additional power sourcefor your home, feeding power
back through the Franklin WHsystem.
SPEAKER_00 (17:04):
So your truck could power your house?
SPEAKER_01 (17:06):
In theory, yes.
That offers some significantpossibilities for extending your
backup power duration using thebig battery you already have in
your vehicle.
SPEAKER_00 (17:14):
Yeah, that's really innovative.
SPEAKER_01 (17:16):
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (17:16):
Okay, what about this scenario that the grid is
down, but it's a sunny day, yoursolar panels are ready to make
power.
Can the battery actually usethat?
SPEAKER_01 (17:24):
Yes, and This is a crucial feature called Black
Start technology.
SPEAKER_00 (17:29):
Black Start, okay.
SPEAKER_01 (17:30):
Unlike some other systems, the Franklin WH battery
can actually initiate therestart of your solar panels
during a grid outage, even ifthere's no power coming from the
grid at all.
SPEAKER_00 (17:40):
So the battery wakes up the solar panels?
SPEAKER_01 (17:42):
Essentially, yes.
It provides the signal they needto start producing power again.
This lets you continuegenerating clean energy from
your solar array and rechargingyour battery, even while the
grid is completely down.
SPEAKER_00 (17:55):
That is a huge advantage for anyone with solar.
You're not just draining thebattery.
You can refill it.
SPEAKER_01 (18:00):
Absolutely.
It significantly extends yourautonomy during a long outage.
SPEAKER_00 (18:05):
And you mentioned something called storm hedge
mode.
That sounds very...
proactive.
SPEAKER_01 (18:10):
It is.
It's pretty clever.
The system can actually monitorlocal weather forecasts.
SPEAKER_00 (18:14):
Really?
It
SPEAKER_01 (18:15):
connects via the internet, presumably, and if it
detects a forecast for severeweather heading your way...
SPEAKER_00 (18:21):
Like a hurricane warning or something.
SPEAKER_01 (18:22):
Exactly.
It will automatically pre-chargeyour batteries to their maximum
capacity, ensuring you have themost stored power possible
before a potential outage evenhits.
SPEAKER_00 (18:32):
That kind of automatic preparedness?
Wow.
That could be a real lifesaver,especially during storm season.
SPEAKER_01 (18:38):
It takes one less OK, so let's talk
SPEAKER_00 (18:43):
practical reality in terms of just how long will it
last?
What kind of backup duration canpeople typically expect from a
single a power to battery duringan outage?
Ballpark.
SPEAKER_01 (18:55):
Yeah.
Integrate Sun suggested that onaverage, you might expect
somewhere between, say, 12 and24 hours of backup power.
SPEAKER_00 (19:02):
No.
Okay.
Half a day to a full day.
SPEAKER_01 (19:04):
Right.
But that's generally foressential loads.
It's really important toremember that if you're running
high demand appliances,especially things like central
air conditioning.
SPEAKER_00 (19:11):
Yeah.
The AC is a killer.
SPEAKER_01 (19:13):
It really is.
That will significantly reduceyour runtime.
So the actual duration dependsheavily on your specific energy
consumption patterns during theoutage.
SPEAKER_00 (19:22):
Makes sense.
Manage your usage.
SPEAKER_01 (19:24):
Hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (19:24):
Okay, so it's packed with smart features.
Now let's talk about the longhaul.
Reliability, lifespan, what canhomeowners expect, and what does
that 15-year warranty actuallycover?
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
Right.
The longevity is key, and thisis an area where Franklin WH
really does stand out.
They back that a Power 2 batterywith an impressive 15-year
warranty.
SPEAKER_00 (19:44):
15 years.
And
SPEAKER_01 (19:45):
the warranty guarantees two main things.
Either the battery will retainat least 70% of its original
energy storage capacity after 15years.
SPEAKER_00 (19:53):
Okay, 70% capacity.
SPEAKER_01 (19:54):
Or it guarantees it will handle 60 megawatt hours of
energy throughput whichever ofthose conditions comes first.
SPEAKER_00 (20:00):
60 megawatt hours throughput.
That sounds like a lot ofenergy.
Can you translate that for us?
Like, how many cycles is that?
SPEAKER_01 (20:09):
Yeah, it's a big number.
Think of throughput as the totalamount of energy that flows into
and out of the battery over itswarranted life.
That 60 megawatt hours, itessentially translates to
roughly 4000 full charge anddischarge cycles.
SPEAKER_00 (20:21):
4000 cycles?
SPEAKER_01 (20:22):
Yeah.
So even if you were to fully useand recharge your battery every
single day, which most peoplewon't, that warranty would still
cover you for over 10, almost 11years of guaranteed performance
based on cycling alone.
Since most people won't cycle itthat hard, the 15-year time
limit is likely what most peoplewill hit.
It's a very robust warranty inthe home battery market.
SPEAKER_00 (20:42):
That does sound very solid.
Does the AC couple design wetalked about earlier have any
impact on longevity ormaintenance?
SPEAKER_01 (20:49):
Well, the AC couple design primarily offers that
installation flexibility, makingit easier to add to existing
solar.
Right.
But I suppose by not requiring acomplete overhaul of your
existing solar inverter setup,it could potentially simplify
things if you ever neededmaintenance or upgrades just on
the solar side later on.
The systems are somewhatindependent.
SPEAKER_00 (21:11):
Okay.
So a 15-year warranty isdefinitely reassuring, but
putting it all together, thefeatures, the cost, the
warranty, who is this FranklinWH system really for?
Let's break down the pros, thecons, and maybe the profile of
the ideal customer.
SPEAKER_01 (21:25):
Sure.
Starting with the advantages,the pros.
The biggest one is probably thattrue whole home backup
capability right out of the box.
SPEAKER_00 (21:32):
Yeah, powering everything.
SPEAKER_01 (21:33):
That and its impressive surge capacity, its
ability to handle those bigpower draws from appliances
without, you know, tripping orshutting down.
That's a major plus.
Okay.
And also that future-proofdesign.
The built-in potential tointegrate with EVs and
generators down the line, thatadds value.
What
SPEAKER_00 (21:51):
about the downsides, the cons people should weigh?
SPEAKER_01 (21:54):
Well, the main considerations are probably
first that higher initial costcompared to some competitors, as
we discussed.
SPEAKER_00 (22:00):
The upfront investment.
SPEAKER_01 (22:01):
Right.
And second, maybe the way thestorage capacity is offered.
You essentially buy it in these15 kilowatt hour increments with
each a power unit.
SPEAKER_00 (22:10):
So you can't just add like a tiny bit more
storage.
SPEAKER_01 (22:13):
Exactly.
There aren't smaller, moregranular battery modules
available like you see with someother systems where you can add
maybe three or five kilowattersa of time, you jump up by 15
kilowatters.
SPEAKER_00 (22:23):
Okay, less modularity.
So based on all that pros, cons,features, who's the homeowner
who's going to look at this andsay, yes, this is for me?
SPEAKER_01 (22:32):
The ideal customer is probably, first, a homeowner
who lives in an area that'sprone to power outages.
Someone who really values andprioritizes having true whole
home resilience, not justkeeping the basics on.
SPEAKER_00 (22:46):
Someone who wants everything to work.
SPEAKER_01 (22:47):
Pretty much, yeah.
It's also likely a great fit forhomes with higher energy
consumption needs, maybe largerhomes, or people with EVs
already who need a system thatcan scale up easily with
multiple batteries.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (23:19):
turn?
SPEAKER_01 (23:19):
Absolutely.
There are definitely ways tooptimize.
One of the most effectivestrategies, especially if you're
on a time of use electricityplan, is to really lean into
that TOU optimization.
SPEAKER_00 (23:29):
Using the smarts of the A.
SPEAKER_01 (23:31):
Exactly.
Programming the system to chargethe battery when electricity
rates are dirt cheap, maybeovernight, and then discharge it
to power your home when ratesare highest in the afternoon or
evening.
Doing that consistently can leadto significant monthly savings
on your electricity bills.
SPEAKER_00 (23:49):
So So actively managing it through the app pays
off.
SPEAKER_01 (23:51):
Or letting the system manage it automatically
based on your settings, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (23:54):
And we also talked about participating in those
virtual power plant programsearlier.
How does that help maximize theinvestment?
SPEAKER_01 (24:01):
Well, participating in a VPP program provides a
direct annual income stream.
It's money back in your pocket.
SPEAKER_00 (24:08):
Just for letting them access it occasionally.
SPEAKER_01 (24:10):
Right.
Simply for making your batterycapacity available to help
stabilize the grid during thosepeak demand events.
As Integrate Sun mentioned, youknow, earning$500 or more per
year in some programs.
That directly helps offset theinitial cost of the system over
time.
It chips away at it.
SPEAKER_00 (24:26):
That adds up over 15 years.
What about timing?
Is there an advantage toinstalling the battery at the
same time as putting in newsolar panels?
SPEAKER_01 (24:34):
Yes, often there is.
When you install a batterysystem concurrently with a new
solar panel system.
SPEAKER_00 (24:40):
Bundle it together.
SPEAKER_01 (24:41):
Yeah, you can sometimes bundle some of those
upfront soft cost things likepermitting, design, some of the
installation labor across bothsystems Shared costs.
Exactly.
This can effectively lower youroverall cost per kilowatt hour
for the combined solar plusstorage setup and potentially
lead to a faster overall returnon your total energy investment.
SPEAKER_00 (25:01):
Okay, good tip.
So let's try and bring this alltogether then.
What's the final scoop?
Is the Franklin WH system aworthwhile investment for the
right person?
SPEAKER_01 (25:10):
You know, ultimately, I think Franklin WH
has really positioned itself asa very compelling option,
especially for those homeownerswho prioritize that
comprehensive whole home backupand are looking for a really
cutting edge integrated energymanagement solution.
Yes, the initial investment issignificant, no doubt about it.
But when you carefully factor inthose potentially substantial
(25:31):
incentives.
SPEAKER_00 (25:32):
State ones especially.
SPEAKER_01 (25:33):
Exactly.
And you consider the advancedfeatures it offers, the smarts,
the future proofing, and thatstrong 15 year warranty backing
it up.
It really can representexcellent long term value for
the right homeowner in the rightsituation.
SPEAKER_00 (25:47):
Right.
As the team at Integrate SunSound advice.
So if you're
SPEAKER_01 (26:03):
listening and you're intrigued by the possibilities
of the Franklin WH home batterysystem, maybe wondering how it
could fit into your home.
We definitely encourage you toreach out.
The knowledgeable team over atIntegrate Sun, for example, they
can provide a personalizedconsultation.
SPEAKER_00 (26:19):
Yeah, they can give you tailored information based
on your specific location, yourenergy usage, the incentives
available where you are.
SPEAKER_01 (26:25):
Exactly.
Get the real numbers for yoursituation.
SPEAKER_00 (26:28):
And maybe here's a final thought for you to
consider as we wrap up.
As all this energy technologykeeps advancing so rapidly...
How will these kinds ofintegrated home power solutions,
like Franklin WH, fundamentallyreshape our relationship with
the traditional power grid?
SPEAKER_01 (26:45):
And maybe more importantly, how will they
reshape our own ability tonavigate unexpected disruptions,
to weather the unexpected?
It's a powerful question, Ithink, to ponder as you think
about your own energy future.
Ever imagine your whole house just...
well, powering through ablackout.
Not a flicker, not even a resetclock, but everything running
like the grid, never evenhiccuped.
SPEAKER_01 (00:11):
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (00:12):
Your AC's still humming, maybe your EAV happily
charging in the garage.
SPEAKER_01 (00:16):
Yeah, that's a dream for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_00 (00:18):
Welcome back to SolarScoop, everyone.
Today we're diving deep into theFranklin WH home battery system.
SPEAKER_01 (00:24):
And this deep dive is really for you, you know, the
savvy homeowner looking beyondthe basics, someone who wants to
truly understand the leadingedge of home energy
independence.
SPEAKER_00 (00:35):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (00:35):
We're going to unpack what sets Franklin WH
apart in what's become a prettycrowded home battery market.
We're drawing insights from areally in-depth discussion by
the experts over at IntegrateSun.
SPEAKER_00 (00:46):
Right.
We're cutting through the techtalk, the jargon, to bring you
the crucial details.
What this system does, how itactually works, the real costs
involved.
SPEAKER_01 (00:54):
And those really important incentives.
SPEAKER_00 (00:57):
Oh yeah, the incentives.
They can make this a total gamechanger for your home.
So, Let's get started.
Franklin WH, they came onto thescene pretty quickly, didn't
they?
Since 2019.
Making waves.
SPEAKER_01 (01:08):
They really have.
It's interesting how strongreputation they've built in,
well, a relatively short time.
While they are a newer company,Franklin WH is seen as a real
innovator.
And maybe even more telling,actually, is the positive
feedback from solar installersthemselves.
SPEAKER_00 (01:25):
Okay, the folks on the ground.
SPEAKER_01 (01:26):
Exactly.
These are the professionalsinstalling and working with
these systems day in, day out.
So their positive reviews, thatsignals a pretty reliable and
well-designed product.
SPEAKER_00 (01:36):
So what's the core idea there?
What's driving that positivebuzz?
What makes Franklin WH, youknow, different?
SPEAKER_01 (01:42):
I think the central philosophy, the big thing, is
true whole home backup power.
SPEAKER_00 (01:47):
True whole home.
SPEAKER_01 (01:48):
Okay.
Yeah.
And that's a key distinction.
You know, many other batterysystems, they might only power
essential circuits, maybe yourlights, fridge, a few outlets.
SPEAKER_00 (01:56):
The basics.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
Right.
Franklin WH's goal is really tokeep your entire home running
smoothly during an outage.
SPEAKER_00 (02:03):
Okay.
Whole home backup.
That sounds like well, a prettybig leap.
How do they actually pull thatoff?
What are the main parts?
SPEAKER_01 (02:10):
So the system basically has two main pieces.
First, you've got the A powerbattery unit.
SPEAKER_00 (02:16):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
Now, this isn't just a battery.
It's actually got a built-ininverter.
SPEAKER_00 (02:21):
Ah, the inverter's in the battery.
SPEAKER_01 (02:22):
Exactly.
And the inverter, you know, it'slike the translator converting
the battery's DC power into theAC power that runs your home.
SPEAKER_00 (02:29):
Got it.
SPEAKER_01 (02:30):
Then the second key part is the A gate controller.
This is really the intelligenthub, the brain.
SPEAKER_00 (02:34):
The brain, okay.
SPEAKER_01 (02:35):
It It manages the flow of energy between your
solar panels, the grid, thebattery, and even looking ahead,
potentially your electricvehicle too.
SPEAKER_00 (02:43):
Interesting.
So it's not just storage, it'ssmart energy flow.
Integrate Sun mentioned thatFranklin WH has kind of
reimagined home battery tech.
What does that reimagining looklike for us homeowners?
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
Well, if you look at the bigger picture, it seems
like Franklin WH took a stepback.
They looked at the limitationsof existing battery systems.
Right.
Instead of just making smallimprovements on older designs,
they've created a system reallydesigned from the ground up for
seamless, comprehensive homeenergy management.
And this integrated approach, itcan lead to more efficient
(03:18):
operation.
Plus, as Integrate Sunhighlighted, it also translates
to potentially significantsavings during outages because
you're not restricted in whatyou can actually power.
SPEAKER_00 (03:28):
Savings during a blackout, yeah, that definitely
gets your attention.
Okay, so we've got the A-Powerbattery, built-in inverter, and
the A-Gate controller the brain.
Let's dig into how this allworks together.
What's the tech inside?
SPEAKER_01 (03:39):
Okay, let's start with the A-Power 2 battery
itself.
It uses lithium iron phosphatechemistry,
SPEAKER_00 (03:45):
LFP.
LFP, right.
Heard of that.
SPEAKER_01 (03:47):
Yeah, it's a really safe and stable type of battery
known for lasting a long time,which is, you know, why Franklin
WH uses it.
Each A-Power 2 unit stores 15kilowatt hours of usable energy.
SPEAKER_00 (03:58):
15 kilowatt hours,
SPEAKER_01 (03:59):
okay.
Then you have the A-Gatecontroller, that intelligent hub
we mentioned.
It basically sits between allyour energy sources, solar,
grid, battery, and your home'selectrical panel.
And it's constantly monitoringand directing the power flow,
making decisions.
SPEAKER_00 (04:13):
So how do I interact with it?
Is there like an app orsomething?
SPEAKER_01 (04:16):
Absolutely.
Franklin WH provides auser-friendly app.
Think of it like your energydashboard.
You can see in real time howmuch power you're using, how
much is stored in your battery,and importantly, you can
customize how the systemoperates.
You can tweak it to fit yourspecific needs and preferences.
SPEAKER_00 (04:34):
So when the power does go out, How smooth is that
switch?
Is it like instant?
SPEAKER_01 (04:39):
According to Integrate, son, yeah.
The A-gate is designed to detecta grid outage almost instantly.
Wow.
And it automatically switchesyour home over to battery power
from the A-power too.
The goal is a truly seamlesstransition, right?
You know, minimizing anydisruption you might not even
notice.
SPEAKER_00 (04:55):
That's really good to hear.
Now, what about those of us ontime of use plans where
electricity costs more atcertain times?
Can this system help managethose costs?
SPEAKER_01 (05:06):
Definitely.
Definitely.
That's a big part of the smartaspect.
The 8GATE can be programmed tointelligently manage your energy
use based on your specific TOUplan.
SPEAKER_00 (05:15):
How does that work?
SPEAKER_01 (05:15):
Well, it can use stored battery power during
those expensive peak hours.
SPEAKER_00 (05:19):
Right, when prices are high.
SPEAKER_01 (05:21):
Exactly.
And then recharge the batteryeither from your solar panels
during the day or from the gridduring those cheaper off-peak
hours at night.
It's all about maximizingsavings on your electricity
bill.
SPEAKER_00 (05:32):
Smart.
And what if someone has, like, areally big house or uses it to
Yes.
The
SPEAKER_01 (05:39):
system is designed to be scalable.
You can connect multiple A powerto units and they're all managed
by just a single A gatecontroller.
SPEAKER_00 (05:47):
Oh, just one brain.
SPEAKER_01 (05:48):
Just one brain.
Integrate Sun mentioned youcould potentially go up to, I
think it was 225 kilowatt hoursof storage.
SPEAKER_00 (05:55):
Whoa, that's massive.
SPEAKER_01 (05:56):
It's a significant amount of power.
Yeah.
Enough for even the largesthomes or maybe small businesses.
SPEAKER_00 (06:01):
Now, a lot of people listening might already have
solar panels.
How easy is it to add FranklinW.H.?
UNKNOWN (00:00):
?
SPEAKER_00 (06:06):
to an existing solar setup?
Is it complicated?
SPEAKER_01 (06:10):
Generally, it's pretty straightforward.
That's thanks to its AC-coupleddesign.
SPEAKER_00 (06:13):
AC-coupled, okay.
What does that mean practically?
SPEAKER_01 (06:16):
It means it's compatible with most brands of
solar inverters already outthere.
So if you already have a solarsystem, you can likely add a
Franklin WH battery withoutneeding to replace your existing
solar gear.
SPEAKER_00 (06:28):
Ah, so you don't have to rip everything out.
SPEAKER_01 (06:30):
Exactly.
It makes it a really appealingoption for retrofitting for
adding battery backup to yourcurrent solar setup.
SPEAKER_00 (06:36):
Okay, it sounds really impressive from a tech
standpoint.
Let's get into the the nuts andbolts, the key specs, the
performance numbers we shouldknow.
SPEAKER_01 (06:44):
Sure.
So each APower2 unit, as wesaid, offers 15 kilowatt hours
of usable storage.
And critically, it has acontinuous power output of 11.5
kilovolt amperes or KVA.
SPEAKER_00 (06:58):
11.5 KVA continuous.
Is that a lot?
SPEAKER_01 (07:01):
It is pretty substantial for a home battery.
That high power output is reallyimportant because it means the
system can handle those energyhungry appliances.
Things like air conditioners,electric ovens, maybe even well
pumps.
SPEAKER_00 (07:13):
All running at the same time?
SPEAKER_01 (07:14):
Potentially, yes, depending on the specific load.
It's about powering your actuallife, not just, you know,
keeping a few lights on.
SPEAKER_00 (07:20):
That's a big difference.
What about durability?
How does it hold up in, say,really hot or cold weather?
SPEAKER_01 (07:27):
It seems built to be pretty resilient.
The operating temperature rangeis quite wide, minus C4 degrees
up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
SPEAKER_00 (07:33):
Okay, that covers most places.
SPEAKER_01 (07:35):
Yeah.
Plus, it has an IP67weatherproof rating.
SPEAKER_00 (07:39):
IP67?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (07:40):
That basically Basically means it's well
protected from dust and water,so you can install it in various
outdoor locations without toomuch worry.
SPEAKER_00 (07:46):
Interesting.
Integrate Sun mentionedsomething about natural cooling
technology.
What's the advantage there?
SPEAKER_01 (07:52):
Right.
Natural cooling means the systemdoesn't rely on internal fans to
keep its temperature down.
SPEAKER_00 (07:58):
Ah, no fans whirring away.
SPEAKER_01 (07:59):
Exactly.
And this can potentially boostthe system's reliability over
the long term, simply becausethere are fewer moving parts
that could potentially fail downthe line.
SPEAKER_00 (08:07):
Makes sense.
And you touched on this earlier,but maybe explain again the
unique thing about its 120 208volt support why is that a big
deal
SPEAKER_01 (08:15):
okay so this is a significant differentiator for
franklin wh most single-familyhomes in the u.s use a 122 40
volt system that's standardright but many condos apartments
and multi-family buildingsactually operate on a 120 208
volt system
SPEAKER_00 (08:31):
oh okay different
SPEAKER_01 (08:32):
setup yeah and franklin wh's strong support for
this 208 volt system makes itone of the few really readily
available options for thosetypes of residences it brings
home battery storage to a muchwider audience than just
standalone houses
SPEAKER_00 (08:46):
so it's powerful durable adaptable okay let's get
to the big question the costwhat kind of investment are we
actually talking about here
SPEAKER_01 (08:54):
right so based on the information from integrate
sun a standard franklin whsystem that's one a power
battery and the a gatecontroller professionally
installed you're likely lookingat around eighteen thousand
dollars that's before anyincentives
SPEAKER_00 (09:07):
okay eighteen thousand dollars that's yeah
that's a significant
SPEAKER_01 (09:10):
number it definitely is it's a major home investment.
SPEAKER_00 (09:12):
But what about those incentives we keep hearing
about?
How much can they actually knockoff that price tag?
This is
SPEAKER_01 (09:17):
where it gets interesting.
The most immediate andwidespread saving comes from the
30% federal tax credit.
SPEAKER_00 (09:24):
The federal one, right?
SPEAKER_01 (09:25):
Yeah.
And that applies to the entirecost, including the installation
labor.
So for that$18,000 system, youcould potentially see your net
cost drop to around$12,600 afterclaiming that credit.
SPEAKER_00 (09:38):
Okay.
$12,600 is still some but that'sa big chunk off.
SPEAKER_01 (09:42):
It's a very significant reduction, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (09:44):
Can we break down the cost per kilowatt hour
maybe, just to get a sense ofthe value compared to capacity?
SPEAKER_01 (09:50):
Sure.
For a single A power unit, thatinitial$18,000 cost works out to
roughly$925 per kilowatt hourbefore incentives.
Okay.
However, as Integrate Sunpointed out, as you add more
batteries, you start to see someeconomies of scale.
SPEAKER_00 (10:06):
Right, because you only need the one gate
controller.
SPEAKER_01 (10:08):
Exactly.
So for a system with, say, threebatteries, the cost per kilowatt
hour might come down closer toaround$770, still before
incentives, of course.
But adding more batteries doesincrease the overall system
price naturally.
SPEAKER_00 (10:20):
Naturally.
And we also need to remember theinstallation cost itself, right?
That's baked into the$18Kestimate, but it varies.
SPEAKER_01 (10:27):
That's correct.
Professional installation isabsolutely crucial.
And that part typically addssomewhere between, say,$2,000
and$5,000 to the total.
SPEAKER_00 (10:37):
Why such a range?
SPEAKER_01 (10:39):
It really depends on the specific of your home's
electrical system, where thecomponents are going, the
complexity of the wiring.
So it's really important to getdetailed quotes from qualified
installers.
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Got it.
So, okay, a significantinvestment, even with the
federal credit.
What's the case for choosingFranklin WH despite this initial
cost?
What's the argument?
SPEAKER_01 (11:00):
Well, the justification really rests on
several key factors.
First, there's the peace of mindthat comes with their 15-year
warranty.
SPEAKER_00 (11:06):
15 years, what?
SPEAKER_01 (11:07):
Yeah, that's longer than the typical industry
standard, maybe 10 yearsusually.
It reflects their confidence inthat LFP battery technology.
Then you need to consider thepotential long-term savings.
If you have solar panels, you'llobviously be drawing much less
power from the grid.
Even without solar, you can usethat time of eustress we talked
about, use battery power duringpeak rates, charge it cheap,
(11:28):
avoid those high costs.
And then, of course, there'sthis significant, maybe hard to
quantify value of just havingreliable whole home backup
power.
No disruptions.
SPEAKER_00 (11:40):
Peace of mind has value.
SPEAKER_01 (11:41):
It absolutely does.
Some analysis suggests you couldsee a positive return on
investment within about fiveyears, especially when you
factor in all the incentives.
Five years.
And ultimately, for many people,the goal, especially when you
combine it with solar, is tosignificantly reduce or maybe
even completely eliminate theirmonthly electricity bills over
the long
SPEAKER_00 (12:01):
haul.
The ultimate goal for many.
Yeah.
Those long-term savingsdefinitely changed the
SPEAKER_01 (12:05):
math.
SPEAKER_00 (12:06):
Now, you mentioned that in some areas the cost
could be even lower because ofstate and local incentives.
Let's dig into those.
You call them game-changing.
SPEAKER_01 (12:13):
Yeah.
This is where things can getreally exciting and where the
actual out-of-pocket cost foryou, the homeowner, could be
dramatically lower than that$12,600 federal credit price.
Okay.
So while the 30% federal taxcredit is a great baseline and
it's available through 2035,which is good.
SPEAKER_00 (12:31):
Good to know.
SPEAKER_01 (12:32):
The real potential for major savings often lies in
those incentives offered at thestate and even the local utility
level.
SPEAKER_00 (12:39):
Can you give us some examples?
Like, what are we talking about?
SPEAKER_01 (12:42):
Okay, well, California's self-generation
incentive program, SGIP, is aprime example.
SPEAKER_00 (12:46):
SGIP, oh.
SPEAKER_01 (12:47):
Integrate Sun highlighted that it can offer up
to$1,000 per kilowatt hour for asingle power unit.
SPEAKER_00 (12:54):
$1,000 per kilowatt.
So for a 15-kilowatt battery?
SPEAKER_01 (12:57):
You do the math.
That could be over$15,000 inrebates just in California under
the right conditions.
SPEAKER_00 (13:03):
Wow.
That practically pays for mostof it.
SPEAKER_01 (13:05):
It can drastically reduce the cost, yes.
New York is also launching aprogram NYSERDA, I think
starting June 2025, that'sexpected to offer around$200 per
kilowatt hour.
Still significant.
And even some utility companiesare getting involved directly,
like Duke Energy in NorthCarolina.
They offer an annual payment,something like$552 a year just
(13:26):
for having an installed batteryconnected.
SPEAKER_00 (13:28):
They pay you just to have it.
SPEAKER_01 (13:29):
Yeah, because it helps stabilize their grid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:31):
OK, state incentives, utility payments.
And then there was this idea ofvirtual power plants.
VPPs.
How do those fit in?
SPEAKER_01 (13:39):
Right.
VPPs.
These programs basically allowyour utility company to access
the energy stored in yourbattery during periods of really
high demand on the grid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:48):
So they borrow your power.
SPEAKER_01 (13:49):
In a way, yes.
They draw power when the grid isstressed, and in return for
allowing this access, you getpaid.
SPEAKER_00 (13:55):
How much are we talking?
SPEAKER_01 (13:56):
Integrate Sun mentioned that VTT participants
are earning$500 or more annuallyin some areas just for making
their battery available.
And importantly, you still keepit ready for your own backup
needs if the power goes out.
SPEAKER_00 (14:10):
So you get paid, and you still have your backup.
SPEAKER_01 (14:12):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_00 (14:13):
Wow.
Okay, so with all these combinedincentives, federal, state,
utility, VBPs, that initial$18,000 number could look very,
very different.
SPEAKER_01 (14:22):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_00 (14:23):
Integrate Sun even suggested, I think you said,
that in some cases, the totalcost after incentives could be
less than what a single badextended power outage might cost
someone in terms of spoiledfood, lost work, hotel stays.
SPEAKER_01 (14:36):
It's a powerful thought, isn't it?
It really underscores thepotential for a surprisingly
rapid return on investment whenyou stack up these savings,
especially considering, youknow, the increasing frequency
and impact of power outages inmany parts Definitely
SPEAKER_00 (14:51):
food for thought.
Okay, we're going to take aquick pause right here.
When we come back, we'll explorethe smart features that make the
Franklin WH system sointelligent and really discuss
who this technology is the bestfit for.
Stay tuned.
We'll be right back.
Mid-break.
Welcome back to Solar Scoop.
Before the break, we were deepinto the capabilities and the
(15:13):
potentially much lower costs ofthe Franklin WH home battery
system, thanks to all thoseincentives.
SPEAKER_01 (15:18):
Right.
The financial side can lookpretty attractive in the right
circumstances.
SPEAKER_00 (15:21):
Definitely.
Now, let's shift gears a bit andexplore what makes this system
truly amazing.
Well, smart.
Beyond just holding onto power,what are some of the standout
intelligent features and uniqueadvantages it brings?
SPEAKER_01 (15:33):
Yeah.
What's really noteworthy is thatFranklin WH seems to have
designed this to be much morethan just a dumb box holding
electricity.
It's really about proactive andintelligent energy management.
Okay.
So one key feature is its smartcircuit functionality.
SPEAKER_00 (15:47):
Smart circuits.
SPEAKER_01 (15:49):
Yeah.
It means the system canautomatically prioritize power
to your most critical loadsduring an outage.
SPEAKER_00 (15:55):
So you tell it what's most important.
SPEAKER_01 (15:57):
Exactly.
You or your installer candesignate certain circuits,
maybe for medical devices, therefrigerator, your internet
modem as critical.
So if the battery starts runninglow, the system makes sure those
essential things keep running,while maybe less critical
appliances, like, I don't know,the dishwasher, might be
temporarily powered down toconserve energy.
SPEAKER_00 (16:18):
That kind of detailed control sounds
incredibly useful during a realoutage.
Makes the power last longer forwhat matters.
Precisely.
What about working with otherthings, like generators or EVs?
SPEAKER_01 (16:29):
Yeah, this is another area where Franklin WH
shows some real forward thinkingin its design.
The A-gate controller, thebrain, is engineered to
integrate pretty seamlessly withbackup generators.
SPEAKER_00 (16:41):
Oh, so you can have battery and generator.
SPEAKER_01 (16:42):
Yes, working together intelligently.
And looking ahead, maybe evenmore exciting, is the
integration with electricvehicles.
SPEAKER_00 (16:49):
How would that work?
SPEAKER_01 (16:50):
Integrate Sun specifically mentioned the
potential for your EV.
They used the example of a FordF-150 Lightning to actually act
as an additional power sourcefor your home, feeding power
back through the Franklin WHsystem.
SPEAKER_00 (17:04):
So your truck could power your house?
SPEAKER_01 (17:06):
In theory, yes.
That offers some significantpossibilities for extending your
backup power duration using thebig battery you already have in
your vehicle.
SPEAKER_00 (17:14):
Yeah, that's really innovative.
SPEAKER_01 (17:16):
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (17:16):
Okay, what about this scenario that the grid is
down, but it's a sunny day, yoursolar panels are ready to make
power.
Can the battery actually usethat?
SPEAKER_01 (17:24):
Yes, and This is a crucial feature called Black
Start technology.
SPEAKER_00 (17:29):
Black Start, okay.
SPEAKER_01 (17:30):
Unlike some other systems, the Franklin WH battery
can actually initiate therestart of your solar panels
during a grid outage, even ifthere's no power coming from the
grid at all.
SPEAKER_00 (17:40):
So the battery wakes up the solar panels?
SPEAKER_01 (17:42):
Essentially, yes.
It provides the signal they needto start producing power again.
This lets you continuegenerating clean energy from
your solar array and rechargingyour battery, even while the
grid is completely down.
SPEAKER_00 (17:55):
That is a huge advantage for anyone with solar.
You're not just draining thebattery.
You can refill it.
SPEAKER_01 (18:00):
Absolutely.
It significantly extends yourautonomy during a long outage.
SPEAKER_00 (18:05):
And you mentioned something called storm hedge
mode.
That sounds very...
proactive.
SPEAKER_01 (18:10):
It is.
It's pretty clever.
The system can actually monitorlocal weather forecasts.
SPEAKER_00 (18:14):
Really?
It
SPEAKER_01 (18:15):
connects via the internet, presumably, and if it
detects a forecast for severeweather heading your way...
SPEAKER_00 (18:21):
Like a hurricane warning or something.
SPEAKER_01 (18:22):
Exactly.
It will automatically pre-chargeyour batteries to their maximum
capacity, ensuring you have themost stored power possible
before a potential outage evenhits.
SPEAKER_00 (18:32):
That kind of automatic preparedness?
Wow.
That could be a real lifesaver,especially during storm season.
SPEAKER_01 (18:38):
It takes one less OK, so let's talk
SPEAKER_00 (18:43):
practical reality in terms of just how long will it
last?
What kind of backup duration canpeople typically expect from a
single a power to battery duringan outage?
Ballpark.
SPEAKER_01 (18:55):
Yeah.
Integrate Sun suggested that onaverage, you might expect
somewhere between, say, 12 and24 hours of backup power.
SPEAKER_00 (19:02):
No.
Okay.
Half a day to a full day.
SPEAKER_01 (19:04):
Right.
But that's generally foressential loads.
It's really important toremember that if you're running
high demand appliances,especially things like central
air conditioning.
SPEAKER_00 (19:11):
Yeah.
The AC is a killer.
SPEAKER_01 (19:13):
It really is.
That will significantly reduceyour runtime.
So the actual duration dependsheavily on your specific energy
consumption patterns during theoutage.
SPEAKER_00 (19:22):
Makes sense.
Manage your usage.
SPEAKER_01 (19:24):
Hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (19:24):
Okay, so it's packed with smart features.
Now let's talk about the longhaul.
Reliability, lifespan, what canhomeowners expect, and what does
that 15-year warranty actuallycover?
SPEAKER_01 (19:34):
Right.
The longevity is key, and thisis an area where Franklin WH
really does stand out.
They back that a Power 2 batterywith an impressive 15-year
warranty.
SPEAKER_00 (19:44):
15 years.
And
SPEAKER_01 (19:45):
the warranty guarantees two main things.
Either the battery will retainat least 70% of its original
energy storage capacity after 15years.
SPEAKER_00 (19:53):
Okay, 70% capacity.
SPEAKER_01 (19:54):
Or it guarantees it will handle 60 megawatt hours of
energy throughput whichever ofthose conditions comes first.
SPEAKER_00 (20:00):
60 megawatt hours throughput.
That sounds like a lot ofenergy.
Can you translate that for us?
Like, how many cycles is that?
SPEAKER_01 (20:09):
Yeah, it's a big number.
Think of throughput as the totalamount of energy that flows into
and out of the battery over itswarranted life.
That 60 megawatt hours, itessentially translates to
roughly 4000 full charge anddischarge cycles.
SPEAKER_00 (20:21):
4000 cycles?
SPEAKER_01 (20:22):
Yeah.
So even if you were to fully useand recharge your battery every
single day, which most peoplewon't, that warranty would still
cover you for over 10, almost 11years of guaranteed performance
based on cycling alone.
Since most people won't cycle itthat hard, the 15-year time
limit is likely what most peoplewill hit.
It's a very robust warranty inthe home battery market.
SPEAKER_00 (20:42):
That does sound very solid.
Does the AC couple design wetalked about earlier have any
impact on longevity ormaintenance?
SPEAKER_01 (20:49):
Well, the AC couple design primarily offers that
installation flexibility, makingit easier to add to existing
solar.
Right.
But I suppose by not requiring acomplete overhaul of your
existing solar inverter setup,it could potentially simplify
things if you ever neededmaintenance or upgrades just on
the solar side later on.
The systems are somewhatindependent.
SPEAKER_00 (21:11):
Okay.
So a 15-year warranty isdefinitely reassuring, but
putting it all together, thefeatures, the cost, the
warranty, who is this FranklinWH system really for?
Let's break down the pros, thecons, and maybe the profile of
the ideal customer.
SPEAKER_01 (21:25):
Sure.
Starting with the advantages,the pros.
The biggest one is probably thattrue whole home backup
capability right out of the box.
SPEAKER_00 (21:32):
Yeah, powering everything.
SPEAKER_01 (21:33):
That and its impressive surge capacity, its
ability to handle those bigpower draws from appliances
without, you know, tripping orshutting down.
That's a major plus.
Okay.
And also that future-proofdesign.
The built-in potential tointegrate with EVs and
generators down the line, thatadds value.
What
SPEAKER_00 (21:51):
about the downsides, the cons people should weigh?
SPEAKER_01 (21:54):
Well, the main considerations are probably
first that higher initial costcompared to some competitors, as
we discussed.
SPEAKER_00 (22:00):
The upfront investment.
SPEAKER_01 (22:01):
Right.
And second, maybe the way thestorage capacity is offered.
You essentially buy it in these15 kilowatt hour increments with
each a power unit.
SPEAKER_00 (22:10):
So you can't just add like a tiny bit more
storage.
SPEAKER_01 (22:13):
Exactly.
There aren't smaller, moregranular battery modules
available like you see with someother systems where you can add
maybe three or five kilowattersa of time, you jump up by 15
kilowatters.
SPEAKER_00 (22:23):
Okay, less modularity.
So based on all that pros, cons,features, who's the homeowner
who's going to look at this andsay, yes, this is for me?
SPEAKER_01 (22:32):
The ideal customer is probably, first, a homeowner
who lives in an area that'sprone to power outages.
Someone who really values andprioritizes having true whole
home resilience, not justkeeping the basics on.
SPEAKER_00 (22:46):
Someone who wants everything to work.
SPEAKER_01 (22:47):
Pretty much, yeah.
It's also likely a great fit forhomes with higher energy
consumption needs, maybe largerhomes, or people with EVs
already who need a system thatcan scale up easily with
multiple batteries.
Right.
SPEAKER_00 (23:19):
turn?
SPEAKER_01 (23:19):
Absolutely.
There are definitely ways tooptimize.
One of the most effectivestrategies, especially if you're
on a time of use electricityplan, is to really lean into
that TOU optimization.
SPEAKER_00 (23:29):
Using the smarts of the A.
SPEAKER_01 (23:31):
Exactly.
Programming the system to chargethe battery when electricity
rates are dirt cheap, maybeovernight, and then discharge it
to power your home when ratesare highest in the afternoon or
evening.
Doing that consistently can leadto significant monthly savings
on your electricity bills.
SPEAKER_00 (23:49):
So So actively managing it through the app pays
off.
SPEAKER_01 (23:51):
Or letting the system manage it automatically
based on your settings, yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (23:54):
And we also talked about participating in those
virtual power plant programsearlier.
How does that help maximize theinvestment?
SPEAKER_01 (24:01):
Well, participating in a VPP program provides a
direct annual income stream.
It's money back in your pocket.
SPEAKER_00 (24:08):
Just for letting them access it occasionally.
SPEAKER_01 (24:10):
Right.
Simply for making your batterycapacity available to help
stabilize the grid during thosepeak demand events.
As Integrate Sun mentioned, youknow, earning$500 or more per
year in some programs.
That directly helps offset theinitial cost of the system over
time.
It chips away at it.
SPEAKER_00 (24:26):
That adds up over 15 years.
What about timing?
Is there an advantage toinstalling the battery at the
same time as putting in newsolar panels?
SPEAKER_01 (24:34):
Yes, often there is.
When you install a batterysystem concurrently with a new
solar panel system.
SPEAKER_00 (24:40):
Bundle it together.
SPEAKER_01 (24:41):
Yeah, you can sometimes bundle some of those
upfront soft cost things likepermitting, design, some of the
installation labor across bothsystems Shared costs.
Exactly.
This can effectively lower youroverall cost per kilowatt hour
for the combined solar plusstorage setup and potentially
lead to a faster overall returnon your total energy investment.
SPEAKER_00 (25:01):
Okay, good tip.
So let's try and bring this alltogether then.
What's the final scoop?
Is the Franklin WH system aworthwhile investment for the
right person?
SPEAKER_01 (25:10):
You know, ultimately, I think Franklin WH
has really positioned itself asa very compelling option,
especially for those homeownerswho prioritize that
comprehensive whole home backupand are looking for a really
cutting edge integrated energymanagement solution.
Yes, the initial investment issignificant, no doubt about it.
But when you carefully factor inthose potentially substantial
(25:31):
incentives.
SPEAKER_00 (25:32):
State ones especially.
SPEAKER_01 (25:33):
Exactly.
And you consider the advancedfeatures it offers, the smarts,
the future proofing, and thatstrong 15 year warranty backing
it up.
It really can representexcellent long term value for
the right homeowner in the rightsituation.
SPEAKER_00 (25:47):
Right.
As the team at Integrate SunSound advice.
So if you're
SPEAKER_01 (26:03):
listening and you're intrigued by the possibilities
of the Franklin WH home batterysystem, maybe wondering how it
could fit into your home.
We definitely encourage you toreach out.
The knowledgeable team over atIntegrate Sun, for example, they
can provide a personalizedconsultation.
SPEAKER_00 (26:19):
Yeah, they can give you tailored information based
on your specific location, yourenergy usage, the incentives
available where you are.
SPEAKER_01 (26:25):
Exactly.
Get the real numbers for yoursituation.
SPEAKER_00 (26:28):
And maybe here's a final thought for you to
consider as we wrap up.
As all this energy technologykeeps advancing so rapidly...
How will these kinds ofintegrated home power solutions,
like Franklin WH, fundamentallyreshape our relationship with
the traditional power grid?
SPEAKER_01 (26:45):
And maybe more importantly, how will they
reshape our own ability tonavigate unexpected disruptions,
to weather the unexpected?
It's a powerful question, Ithink, to ponder as you think
about your own energy future.
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