SENEC
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
SENEC was originally founded to find solutions that allowed clients to maximize their energy independence from external sources like the utility grid. Formed in 2009, SENEC immediately went to work creating and manufacturing “intelligent” power storage systems. These systems were “memory-based” energy solutions which meant that the units themselves were designed to consume as much self-generated solar power as possible regardless of sun exposure times and seasonal implications.
Considered to be relatively new to the market compared to manufacturers that have roots in development dating back to the 1900’s, SENEC has quickly made a name for itself and has become one of the more recognized storage solution brands.The two “smart” features of SENEC products that should be noted include the company’s creation of the SENEC Cloud series and its intelligent memory-based energy solutions.
All SENEC products are manufactured in Germany and operate as one of the largest energy supply companies in all of Europe. In 2018, SENEC became a wholly owned subsidiary of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, but continues to function as its own brand. To date, around 30,000 of these SENEC solar battery systems have been sold on a global scale.
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The Good
- Extended Warranty
- Incorporated Inverter
- 3-Tier Remote Monitoring
- Unit Design
Extended Warranty
The industry average for solar battery warranty coverage generally lasts 10 years. This has been a problem for some homeowners as the concern over having to purchase an entirely new system after just one decade of use is cause for concern. With SENEC, homeowners are covered for double the amount of time with an extended warranty covering its products for a full 20 years.
The extended warranty offered through SENEC is designed to make homeowners more comfortable with purchasing a storage system when having solar panels installed. Often, the limited warranty and coverage options keep homeowners from opting for a solar battery. SENEC set out to change this with its comprehensive coverage and 20 years worth of protection.
Incorporated Inverter
The SENEC.HOME V3 Hybrid system comes with its own installed incorporated hybrid PV inverter. This feature allows the unit to convert the energy that is generated from the solar panels directly into the storage system. That current is directly discharged from the solar battery itself.
This integrated inverter allows for a 97.4 percent round trip efficiency rating so clients can rest assured knowing that a vast majority of the stored energy is eligible to be used during outages or peak times. By having an integrated inverter, homeowners do not need to concern themselves with purchasing an additional PV inverter.
Many solar batteries have integrated inverters designed for storage purposes, but the integrated inverter for the SENEC. Home V3 system offers hybrid duality.
3-Tier Remote Monitoring
A number of solar battery manufacturers provide customers with remote monitoring functions. The distinct difference SENEC provides its clients is a three-tier monitoring system. All the information from these tiers is provided and displayed directly on the SENEC app. The mobile app is also designed to monitor solar panel and system production as well as energy usage and consumption. This information and data is updated every five minutes.
Unit Design
Many solar batteries and storage systems are large in both weight and dimension. Heavy and bulky solar batteries take up more space and require more care and work from professional installers. This is important to note because these large solar batteries will cost more to have installed.
The SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid is one of the most compact units on the solar battery market. The unit design allows for simplified installation and can provide instant savings for the homeowner
The Bad
- Maximum Power Output
- Installation Location
Maximum Power Output
Like other solar batteries on the market, the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid can be stacked to offer additional capacity and power output metrics. That being said, most solar batteries when coupled with additional storage units drastically increase capacity and continuous power rates. There are caps on what the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid can offer in terms of power output. Even with multiple units, the maximum power output rating of the SENEC solar battery system is 10kW.
Installation Location
The chemistry and makeup of many solar batteries allows for diverse options when it comes to installation locations. Most systems can withstand extreme heat in conditions where the sun shines most of the year. These systems are also designed to withstand freezing temperatures and still function efficiently.
In contrast, the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid unit can only be installed indoors. The design and make of the unit itself does not allow for outdoor use.
The Bottom Line
SENEC provides a number of renewable energy solutions manufacturing products that are sold and distributed all over the world. The SENEC warranty allows for double the coverage of most of the solar batteries on the market providing homeowners with a sense of peace that having to replace the unit in a decade is no longer a threat.
The SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid has its own incorporated inverter making it compatible with any installed PV system. For increased system communication and prioritization, the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid comes with a three-tier remote monitoring system. The design allows for fast and straightforward installation, saving homeowners thousands on installation costs and limiting the space the unit takes up on the property.
There are elements of the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid solar battery that are enticing to homeowners, but there are limitations to the storage system as well. The maximum power output, even with multiple units, is capped at 10 kW. The SENEC.Home V3 can also only be installed indoors.
Homeowners looking for a compact solar battery that is covered by comprehensive warranties may benefit from what the SENEC.Home V3 Hybrid system offers. Those in need of outdoor installation will have to find an alternative solution.
