The Marblehead Municipal Light Department has recently streamlined its application process for residential battery storage systems, making it easier for homeowners to integrate these energy solutions while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Some residential battery systems have been installed in Marblehead, according to officials, with some being put in place without a formal permitting process.
These systems store excess energy generated by solar panels or other renewable sources during the day, allowing homeowners to use the stored energy when they need it most, such as during power outages or when electricity rates are high.
George Hooper, a resident who installed Tesla solar panels three years ago, has been waiting for the permitting process to be approved to add a Tesla Powerwall battery storage system.
“I am working on the process now. My contractor is, hopefully in the next week or so going to put in a permit request,” Hopper recently told the Current. “So I’ve been waiting three years for this.”
The stream-lined process comes after months of collaboration with the Fire Department and the Building Department, addressing the concerns and experiences of local residents who had expressed frustration over delays and complex approval processes.
“These are new devices that require cooperation from multiple departments because all of this has a lot of moving parts,” said MMLD General Manager Joseph Kowalik. “We are all learning this together — there is no handbook that we can refer to. We must make sure they get deployed safely.”
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland stressed the importance of communication among departments during the battery permitting process.
“When the permitting process wraps up, the information of where these units are going is important.” He emphasized the need for his department to be aware of their locations since they can be fire hazards.
The Marblehead Municipal Light Commission has voted to allow UL certified batteries, those batteries that have been tested and certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety certification company. UL is a third-party organization that develops safety standards and tests products to ensure they meet those standards.
When a battery is UL certified, it means that the battery has undergone rigorous testing to verify its safety, performance and compliance with specific standards, according to industry professionals and regulatory bodies.
Residential battery storage systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall, LG Chem RESU, and Sonnen eco and ecoLinx, are gaining popularity among homeowners seeking to save money on electricity bills and increase energy independence. Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff recognized the need for a process that guides installations and helps residents navigate the approval process.
“Some already have batteries. Others are telling us, ‘I would like a battery,’” he said.
Residential solar battery storage systems typically cost between $3,000 and $20,000 before installation, with most systems falling in the $12,000 to $18,000 range, making them cost-prohibitive for some homeowners.
As Marblehead continues to adopt residential battery storage systems, lithium iron phosphate batteries, like those used in Sonnen’s eco and ecoLinx models, have been highlighted for their stability and safety.
“We must make sure they get deployed safely, with continued cooperation and innovation,” said Kowalik.
To learn more, visit marbleheadelectric.com.
