Solar PV panels are now a widely understood and utilised technology in the UK. With prices falling and an economically viable payback period, more individuals and businesses are turning to solar to save them money.
The best way to utilise PV is to use as much of the energy that it produces instead of exporting it to the grid, as the cost of buying electricity is higher than the income generated from exporting. However, for some here lies an issue where the production of energy is high but the demand is low.
The best example of a difference in production and demand is a typical home energy use pattern as shown in the diagram* below.
In the morning, there is some demand and some production, though as the production increases toward the middle of the day, an unoccupied house uses little energy so the energy is exported to the grid.
In the evening, when the home is occupied the energy demand is high, though by this stage the energy production is winding down and more expensive energy needs to be imported from the grid.
With a battery, more of the energy produced by the solar PV can be used and less imported, saving on electricity bills and carbon emissions too. The diagram below* shows the potentials of battery storage.
*Please note the diagrams are illustrative only and actual use or production will depend on specific daily routine and season.
There is already a range of batteries on the UK market that vary hugely. The top features you need to match to your needs are:
o Usable capacity
o Maximum Output
o Minimum charge/discharge rate
o Response time
o Modular capabilities
o Weather proofing
o Cycle rate/time warranty
The optimum values must suit both the PV system the battery attaches to and the desired use of the battery, so it is difficult to give an overall ideal battery though some of the most popular batteries are listed below.
Tesla Powerwall 2
One of the most popular options, with a large 13.5kWh usable capacity, modular up to 10 Powerwalls and suitable for indoor or outdoor installation.
sonnenBatterie eco
A lesser known company but one of the market leaders, with a range of usable capacities from 4-16kWh, these indoor only batteries offer greater flexibility in size.
Moixa Smart Battery
This British company has produced two household batteries, of 2kWh and 3kWh size that are small and wall mounted, with connectivity to web apps that allow monitoring.
Final thoughts
There is no doubt that battery technology is a fast growth sector and that there is a huge potential for managing our solar PV energy production better. The upfront cost may dissuade some consumers though with prices likely to decrease as the technology improves, this would be less of a barrier in the future. If you would like any more information on the topics discussed in this blog, please contact Action Surrey on 0800 783 2503.
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