Puerto Rico apartment complex uses independent battery systems for power

A two-unit apartment building in Bayamón, northern Puerto Rico, has implemented three independent battery systems to address local power reliability issues. The facility faces challenges from an aging electrical grid and frequent hurricane activity, which have historically led to unreliable power supply.

The configuration consists of three distinct systems designed to serve specific areas within the complex. These independent setups are dedicated to powering the two individual apartments, the parking gates, and the common area lighting.

System Design and Hardware

According to Ricardo Fonseca, the proprietor of Ingenious Solution Services, the installations function autonomously without any inter-system communication or backup generator support. Every unit features eighteen 550-W solar panels connected to 19.8 kWh of storage, specifically utilizing Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries.

Installation Background

• Ricardo Fonseca, owner of Ingenious Solution Services, stated the company originally provided validation services to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Following Hurricane Maria, local electrical infrastructure collapsed, triggering high demand for photovoltaic systems.
• Fonseca noted that frequent outages in the area were the sole reason for installing the current photovoltaic system.
• The client previously hired Ingenious Solution Services to install a 30 kW three-phase backup system with 46 kW of batteries for their business.
• Fonseca has collaborated with Briggs & Stratton for over eight years.
• The company has completed approximately 12 SimpliPHI 6.6 installations.

The specific project for the Bayamón apartment complex stemmed from a pre-existing relationship; the client had previously engaged Fonseca’s firm to install a larger commercial backup system, establishing familiarity with the company’s work.

Operational Performance

Ricardo Fonseca, owner of Ingenious Solution Services, reported that the building operated in self-consumption mode for five months following the installation of the three systems while awaiting electrical approval from Luma Energy. During this period, the units functioned without grid interconnection, relying solely on local generation and storage to meet demand.

Fonseca described the charging dynamics of the hardware, noting that when solar irradiance is high, the batteries reach a full charge in 75 minutes. In conditions with less sunlight, the process extends to a maximum of 150 minutes. He characterized the SimpliPHI batteries as reliable, long-lasting, and fast-charging. Fonseca added that he exclusively installs battery systems from Briggs & Stratton.

Site Constraints and Residential Load

The apartment structure occupies the entire plot, making the installation of a backup generator physically impossible, according to Ricardo Fonseca, owner of Ingenious Solution Services. Each residential unit supports a substantial electrical load, including an air conditioner, heater, stove, and lighting. Fonseca noted that a customer running three air conditioners at night has not needed a backup generator because the SimpliPHI batteries handle the entire load. Fonseca plans to expand his business to other areas of Puerto Rico, including Mayagüez, Fajardo, Naranjito, and Aibonito.

What to watch

Ricardo Fonseca, owner of Ingenious Solution Services, noted that with meters installed and electrical certification secured, the facility will begin exporting energy to the grid. Luma Energy serves as the regulator for these approvals. A specific date for when this energy export will commence has not yet been announced.