Controlling local generation capacity independently of the power grid

A power system connectable to an electric utility grid, comprising:

• a local bus connected to at least one source of electrical energy;
• a local load connected to the local bus;
• a connection from the local bus to an electric utility grid;
• an inverter electrically interposed between the electric utility grid and the local bus, the inverter having an AC side and a DC side and configured to transfer real and reactive power to or from the electric utility grid when demanded by the electric utility grid;
• a controllable isolation switch electrically connected between the electric utility grid and the inverter, the controllable isolation switch having an open position and a closed position;
• and
• a local controller in communication with the inverter and the controllable isolation switch, the local controller and/or inverter configured to detect an electric utility grid demand for the inverter to supply reactive power to the electric utility grid, the local controller configured to selectively open the controllable isolation switch to disconnect the power system from the electric utility grid when the electric utility grid demand for reactive power limits the ability of the local bus to supply real and/or reactive power to the local load due to inverter congestion and to selectively close the controllable isolation switch to reconnect the power system to the electric utility grid, wherein the local controller is subject to the overriding control of the electric utility grid when the controllable isolation switch is in the closed position, and wherein the local controller is configured to operate independently of the electric utility grid when the controllable isolation switch is in the open position.