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Adding Battery Backup to your SPAN Panel

  • Updated

What compatible battery system should I choose?

SPAN Panels are designed to replace the critical loads panel in compatible battery backup systems.

Compatibility will differ somewhat depending on the type of SPAN Panel owned - SPAN 32, SPAN 40, or SPAN 48. Not sure which panel you have? Check out this article: How do I know which SPAN Panel I own?

If a storage system is not included in the below chart, we are not currently compatible with that system:

SPAN Panel Compatible Storage System
SPAN Panel MAIN 32
  • Tesla Powerwall
    • Powerwall 2 (with Backup Gateway 1 or Backup Gateway 2)
    • Powerwall 3 (with Backup Switch, Backup Gateway 2, Backup Gateway 3)
    • Powerwall+ (with Backup Switch or Backup Gateway 2)
  • SolarEdge Home Hub
    • with Home Backup Interface
    • with SolarEdge Home Battery
      *SPAN can be paired with up to 2 Energy Hub inverters
  • Enphase IQ Battery
    • IQ 3, 3T, 10, 10T batteries with IQ System Controller 1 or 2
    • IQ 5P batteries with IQ System Controller 3
      *Compatibility with Enphase requires SPAN Remote Meter Kit accessory.
  • FranklinWH aPower 
    • aPower 1, aPower 2 (with aGate, aGate v1.3)
SPAN Panel MAIN 16 SPAN Panel MLO 24
SPAN Panel MAIN 40 SPAN Panel MLO 48
  • Tesla Powerwall
    • Powerwall 3 (with Backup Switch, Backup Gateway 2, Backup Gateway 3)
  • FranklinWH aPower 
    • aPower 1, aPower 2 (with aGate, aGate v1.3)

Installation Requirements

SPAN requires either a wired ethernet communications connection to the battery system (SolarEdge, Tesla, FranklinWH) or a SPAN Remote Meter Kit (Enphase) to ensure robust functionality during an outage. Make sure your installer is aware of this prior to installation so it can be included in the scope of work and they can come prepared with the right materials. 

SPAN authorized installers are also required for installing Powerwall 3, Enphase, and FranklinWH* systems. If your installer is not SPAN authorized, you can direct them to become SPAN authorized before they complete the installation by following the instructions here. Otherwise, you'll need to have your SPAN authorized installer come back on-site to add the battery to your SPAN configuration so the battery details show up in your SPAN Home App.

* For FranklinWH, the installation can also be completed via an onsite Franklin Technician and requires the use of the SPAN Installer App and the Franklin Installer App. 

Adding SolarEdge, Tesla PW+, or Tesla PW2

While all other batteries require a SPAN authorized installer to add your battery details to your SPAN configuration. SolarEdge and Tesla PW+ or PW2 batteries can be virtually added by SPAN Support.

Before your installer leaves (if they are not a SPAN authorized installer), be sure to get the following information from them and submit it to SPAN Support:  

Storage System Information Needed

SolarEdge Home Hub

  • Total Number of Inverters

  • Lead Inverter Model

  • Inverter Location: upstream of SPAN or SPAN breaker spaces (specify which breaker spaces)

  • Total Number of Batteries

  • DC Array Size

  • Photo of the Leader Inverter’s QR Code

Tesla (Powerwall 2 or Powerwall +)

  • Total number of batteries

  • Tesla Energy Gateway password 

  • Battery breaker location: upstream of SPAN or SPAN breaker spaces (specify which breaker spaces)

  • Close-up photo of the Tesla Energy Gateway Label, with QR code visible for scanning.

  • Solar DC array size (if applicable)

  • Solar inverter brand and model (if applicable)

  • Solar inverter breaker location: upstream of SPAN or SPAN breaker spaces (specify which breaker spaces)

SPAN Support will use this information to enable battery backup features in your SPAN Home App within 1 business day of receiving the request.

What to expect after Batteries are Installed

After your Tesla or Franklin batteries are added to your SPAN configuration, you should immediately see your battery details reflected in your SPAN Home app (if you don’t, make sure your app is up to date and be sure to refresh it).

If you had an Enphase battery added, you’ll see a banner at the top of your SPAN Home App saying “Battery calibration in progress.” Click this and fill out the requested information (using your Enphase App) and you’ll begin seeing your battery data reflected in the SPAN Home App.

If you had a SolarEdge battery added, you’ll see a banner that say “Awaiting Register Unlock” and it will generally take 48 hours (although it can take longer) for your battery details to populate in the SPAN Home App. This is due to a process on the SolarEdge side and once completed, you’ll see your battery details in your SPAN Home App.