*Banner Power Co.

Commercial and Government Applications

Q1: How is a battery-based backup power system different from a common fuel-based system like a generator?

Q2: My electronic systems are expensive and mission-critical, how clean is the power from a Banner system?

Q3: What kinds of items can be supported by Banner Power’s battery-based systems?

Q4: I cannot lose power, even for a second, how quickly does a Banner system respond?

Q5: Do I need to maintain a battery-based system as I would a common fuel-based generator?

Q6: How long will my battery-based system provide backup power?

Q7: How will my battery-based system get recharged?

Residential Applications

Q8: How is a battery-based backup power system different from a common fuel-based system like a generator?

Q9: Do I need to maintain a battery-based system as I would a common fuel-based generator?

Q10: What kinds of items can be supported by Banner Power’s battery-based systems?

Q11: How long will my battery-based system provide backup power?

Q12: How will my battery-based system get recharged?

Q13: Why should I purchase a PV system to go along with a Backup Power System from Banner Power?

Q14: What are the components of a photovoltaic (PV) system?

Q15: What is net metering? Is net metering available where I live and work?

Q16: How do I find out about financial incentives such as rebates or tax credits in my home state?

Answers

A1: The two basic components of battery-based storage systems are an inverter/charger and a set of DC batteries. The inverter/charger converts AC power from the grid to DC to charge the batteries. When power from the grid is lost, the inverter converts the DC battery power to AC for use in the home. A battery-based system is quite and is securely installed indoors.

A2: Unlike the power produced from most generators, the power-electronics of a Banner inverter/charger provide a perfect sine-wave producing clean electricity to protect the expensive electronics of your business.

A3: Banner systems are well suited to maintaining office electronics such as server rooms, computers, printers, phone systems, and security systems.

A4: The Banner system will deliver power in less the 16 milliseconds, which means your electronic systems will continue to perform without missing a beat.

A5: No. the Banner system has no motors that need on-going maintenance like a generator. And your business will not have to assign valuable staff resources to keep the Banner system running.

A6: The length of time that a battery-based storage system can provide emergency power depends on its overall capacity and the type and number of appliances connected to the backup system. Once we identify the electronics to be supported by your Banner system we will determine the load needed to accommodate them. The capacity of the system can then be sized to fit your needs.

A7: There are multiple methods that can be used to recharge a battery-based system. The system will automatically take power from the utility-grid when it returns. Charging your batteries in this manner happens with 95% of all utility outages. For the few outages that occur over many days a small fossil fuel-fired generator or photovoltaic equipment can be integrated into the Banner systems to replenish or supplement the batteries when power is not available from the grid. The Banner system can be recharged while it provides power to your business.

A8: The two basic components of battery-based storage systems are an inverter/charger and a set of DC batteries. The inverter/charger converts AC power from the grid to DC to charge the batteries. When power from the grid is lost, the inverter converts the DC battery power to AC for use in the home. A battery-based system is quite and is securely installed indoors. Unlike the power produced from most generators, the power-electronics of a Banner inverter/charger produces perfectly clean electricity to protect the expensive appliances and personal electronics of your home.

A9: No. The Banner system has no motors that need costly on-going maintenance like a generator.

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A10: Banner systems are well suited to maintaining service to furnaces, entertainment and home office electronics, lighting, pumps, security systems, microwave ovens, and refrigerators.

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A11: The length of time that a battery-based storage system can provide emergency power depends on its overall capacity and the type and number of appliances connected to the backup system. Once we identify which appliances to be supported by your Banner system we will determine the load needed to accommodate them. The capacity of the system can then be sized to fit your needs.

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A12: There are multiple methods that can be used to recharge a battery-based system. The system will automatically take power from the utility-grid when it returns. Charging your batteries in this manner happens with 95% of all utility outages. For the few outages that occur over many days a small fossil fuel-fired generator or photovoltaic equipment can be integrated into the Banner systems to replenish or supplement the batteries when power is not available from the grid. The Banner system can be recharged while it provides power to your home.

A13: People decide to buy solar energy systems for a variety of reasons. For example, some individuals buy solar products to preserve the Earth's finite fossil-fuel resources and to reduce air pollution. Others would rather spend their money on an energy-producing improvement to their property than send their money to a utility. Some people like the security of reducing the amount of electricity they buy from their utility, because it makes them less vulnerable to future increases in the price of electricity. If it's designed correctly, a solar system might be able to provide power during a utility power outage, thereby adding power reliability to your home. Finally, some individuals live in areas where the cost of extending power lines to their home is more expensive than buying a solar energy system.

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A14: A PV system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV panels; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system and when alternating current (ac) rather than direct current (dc) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a framework.

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A15: Net metering is a policy that allows homeowners to receive the full retail value for the electricity that their solar energy system produces. The term net metering refers to the method of accounting for the photovoltaic (PV) system's electricity production. Net metering allows homeowners with PV systems to use any excess electricity they produce to offset their electric bill. As the homeowner's PV system produces electricity, the kilowatts are first used for any electric appliances in the home. If the PV system produces more electricity than the homeowner needs, the extra kilowatts are fed into the utility grid.

A16: Several resources are available to help you track down this information.
Other Resources: To learn more about financial incentives in your area, please visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) and contact your State's Energy Office.

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