© Image: EcoFlow You can benefit from solar power and battery protection even if you rent an apartment.Whether you own a home or rent an apartment, EcoFlow now has a home solar solution for you with the PowerStream and PowerOcean systems. Both are designed to reduce energy costs while providing emergency backup power in the event of a grid outage, which is becoming more common as climate change drives more extreme weather.
The only downside is that this is a Europe-only solution for now, as EcoFlow has targeted the US market.
The PowerStream is billed as "the world's first rooftop solar system with a portable battery," which was true until Anker announced its competitor last night. Solar power for balconies has become a trend in Europe as everyone, whether they own a home or not, has started installing solar panels to counter rising energy costs. The PowerStream is EcoFlow's basic solar self-reliance kit for those who rent or live in a roofless apartment covered in fixed panels. I'm currently testing one at my home (review coming soon).
Leak: it's plug and play and easy to install.
The heart of the PowerStream system is a microinverter that can be connected to a lightweight 800W solar panel. These panels can be installed on the balcony railing or left flat on the balcony or in the garden. EcoFlow provides all the necessary support. The solar array is then connected to the microinverter through a closed window using ribbon cables which will help most people avoid drilling. Plug the microinverter into a standard wall outlet (not to be confused with a switch panel) and the sun's energy is converted from DC to AC and transferred to your equipment, powering the excess generator battery. No batteries No problem, the microinverter will fit right into your home, helping to reduce energy costs.
If you already have an EcoFlow solar generator like the Delta Pro for your RV, RV or insulated cabin, the PowerStream Microinverter is what you buy from the EcoFlow ecosystem to maximize your energy from the collector when you get home. However, unlike PowerOcean, which requires professional installation, the PowerStream system does not provide automatic battery backup in the event of a power outage in the home. However, you can use a portable battery to power AC equipment like a refrigerator when the time comes.
PowerOcean is an EcoFlow three-phase (ocean > energy) solar shading solution designed to offer homeowners energy independence. It's basically a more expandable version of EcoFlow from the Tesla Powerwall. It can therefore be configured with one 5kWh LFP battery or up to nine 45kWh batteries. That's enough to power the average American household for a few days, or power your main appliance for much longer.
Apart from the battery, another key component of the PowerOcean system is the 10 kW hybrid inverter which powers most single-phase equipment, as well as three-phase equipment such as electric heaters and water pumps. EcoFlow claims that the automatic shutdown in the event of a network failure is so fast that "the user will not even notice that the power has been turned off."
EcoFlow also has a PowerOcean DC Fit option that allows you to easily install a 15kWh battery in your home solar system.
The PowerOcean system is IP65 rated (protected against dust and spray water) and the coil is self-heating, allowing operation in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). This makes the device suitable for mounting on external walls, for example in the event of a flood, providing basic protection from sun and rain.
EcoFlow claims PowerOcean "wireless battery installation" can be done in 10 minutes and offers "fast three-step startup". However, it requires a professional installer, unlike the simpler PowerStream system.
The PowerStream is initially aimed at Europeans, with prices starting at €369 for a microinverter and a pair of Material-compatible smart plugs to help channel all that solar power. Prices jump to €1,011 to add two 400W hard panels, and then to €2,661 for 2kWh battery storage. EcoFlow puts the maximum amount of electricity delivered by PowerStream per year at around 1,039 kWh, which would save Europeans around €415 per year under ideal conditions that don't exist in the real world.
The price of EcoFlow PowerOcean varies greatly depending on the type of house; therefore, EcoFlow is not ready to provide a rating. The company says it may cost a bit more than the top-of-the-line PowerOcean DC Fit because it has more components and features. PowerOcean was initially limited to Germany, while PowerOcean DC Fit was intended for all of Europe; both will be available starting today after listing special products and installation packages on the EcoFlow website.
