ConnectDER, the leading developer of plug-and-play meter socket adapters (MSAs), has officially announced the launch of its next-generation product i.e. IslandDER™, which is designed to accelerate residential solar and storage installations as a standardized backup solution.
According to certain reports, this strategic approach arrives on the scene bearing an ability to help installers enjoy a choice over battery system which fits their customers needs, while simultaneously de-risking their business from supply chain issues and accelerating timelines to PTO.
More on the same would reveal how, unlike other meter collar manufacturers in the market that lock installers into using their entire product suite, IslandDER™ is compatible with multiple leading batteries including the SolarEdge Nexis Solution, FranklinWH’s aPower 2. aPower S, Lunar Energy’s Lunar System, and EcoFlow’s OCEAN Pro, with an extra 22 partnership agreements in place.
Not just that, IslandDER™ can also streamline partial- and whole-home backup through an “islanding” functionality, a mechanism responsible for safely disconnecting from the grid and keeping the power on during an outage. This it will through a direct integration into the meter socket via its built-in Microgrid Interconnect Device (MID) and Consumption Current Transformers (CTs).
Such a setup, like you can guess, effectively eliminates the need for complex electrical work.
IslandDER™ can further save installers hours to days on battery energy storage system (BESS) installs, whereas on the other hand, homeowners stand to avoid surprise costs that can suddenly put electrification out of budget—and out of reach.
“We are excited to partner with ConnectDER to introduce a meter adapter solution to the residential energy storage market,” said Ke Bi, COO of FranklinWH. “This milestone strengthens FranklinWH’s management of the home energy management ecosystem. The FranklinWH System is already recognized for fast installation and commissioning, and the integration with IslandDER™ will further simplify the process by eliminating the need for costly meter panel upgrades. Combining IslandDER™ with FranklinWH’s aPower 2 and aPower S batteries will deliver homeowners a complete, flexible whole-home energy storage solution—while significantly reducing installation time and cost.”
To understand the significance of such a development, we must take into account how nearly half of all U.S. owner-occupied homes are more than 40 years old, built during or before the 1980s and with electrical service that is inadequate for installing distributed energy resources (DER) like solar panels, energy storage, or EV chargers. This means even a small upgrade can cost a homeowner anywhere around $5,000 and $25,000.
Even when an upgrade is not required, though, older homes often come with other risk factors like structural challenges, tight spaces, and outdated wiring that make any extra electrical work unpredictable and laborious for installers, thus slowing down their install speed and delaying how long it takes to achieve PTO.
Surely, there are ways to support whole-home backup, but having said so, they can still add hours or even days to the project duration, as well as thousands of dollars to the homeowner’s quoted price. The stated problem is particularly evident in the Western U.S., where meter-main combination service panels are prevalent, and yet they do not provide the necessary space for an installer to install a MID device.
Against that, IslandDER™ packs together voltage sensing, CTs, and isolation switch (the MID) all in one ecosystem
Among other things, it ought to be acknowledged that the innovation in question joins ConnectDER’s lineup of installer-backed, field-proven MSAs including their Solar MSA and EV MSA. For better understanding, the company’s MSAs are currently approved in 44 utilities across 24 states, spanning 50 million serviceable households nationwide.
On top of it, IslandDER™ has already been approved in multiple markets including an active pilot phase in California, which saw battery attachment rates skyrocket to 60% in recent years thanks to NEM 3.0.
In case that wasn’t enough, Sunrun, the largest residential solar installer in the U.S. and an early adopter of ConnectDER’s MSAs, has went on to witness an estimated 70% battery attachment this year nationwide, up from 54% a year ago.
“At Lunar, our work is focused on delivering great experiences for installers and homeowners alike. Our partnership with ConnectDER serves both,” said Ed Gunn, Vice President of Lunar Energy.
