Sungrow’s new PowerKeeper series C&I ESS is designed for DC-coupled PV plus storage applications
Equipped with 12.5 kWh battery units, it can be configured for a backup duration of 2 to 8 hours
The company claims these units go through more than 700 pre-delivery tests, covering extreme fault occurrences
PV inverter and storage solution provider Sungrow participated in the Global Renewable Energy Summit, GRES 2026, with a portfolio of new products. One of the highlights was the company’s latest commercial & industrial (C&I) energy storage solution (ESS) from the PowerKeeper series.
A 50 kWh pre-built stack consists of 4 vertically stacked 12.5 kWh battery units. Once 2 identical stacks are DC-coupled with the SH50CX series 3-phase hybrid inverter, the system supports up to 2 hours of backup at the labeled C-rate. That said, these storage capacities can be further scaled up to 1,000 kWh, with a corresponding emergency backup duration of 8 hours. The company noted that it switches to backup mode within 10 ms of grid outages or shutdown. However, the press release didn’t share the maximum number of pre-built stacks that can be connected in parallel. In addition to flexible configurations, these hybrid inverters are designed to handle up to 150% DC overcapacity with respect to the rated AC. Apart from the PV + ESS configuration, this system can be deployed as a standalone ESS.
For the ease of installation and commissioning (I&C), these pre-built battery stacks enable smooth installation, reducing labor costs and installation complexity. Supporting back-to-back installation, these ESSs can be arranged in 4 different configurations. Beyond hardware, Sungrow’s AI-enabled design and operation & maintenance (O&M) software, iSolarDesign and iSolarCloud, respectively, contribute to fast I&C. The company claimed that the former can plan a system within 10 minutes, helping in fast installation.
To ensure a guaranteed lifecycle of more than 20 years, each battery unit goes through over 700 pre-delivery tests. The company highlighted 7 tests that cover extreme environmental stressors. These units maintained stable operation even at a water level of 50 cm for 24 hours, mitigating the risk of water ingress during flooding. It also maintained the rated conversion efficiency across a wide range of ambient temperatures, from -20°C to 40°C, mimicking the C&I field environment. In the event of fire occurrences, these units, equipped with an aerosol suppression system, suppress internal ignition. Once this suppression system is removed, flames self-extinguish and flame propagation is restricted. On top of that, its integrated venting design, which releases extreme internal pressure, prevents debris from being projected.
The company says that the latest ESS is currently commercially available in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.