Battery storage is the new hot topic in the renewable energy world – so what is all the fuss about?
Solar PV systems, by their nature, produce the majority of electricity during the day time and in the summer. Conversely, we use most electricity (at a domestic level) after dark and during the winter.
This mismatch means that, if we are to continue to increase our renewable energy base, we need to take steps to store energy at the point of production (during peak generation) for use when we need it (during peak demand). At the same time, this maximises self-consumption – and, when done at a domestic level, reduces energy bills too.
At the time of writing, battery storage systems are not a means of making money (indeed you will be lucky if you find a system that pays for itself before it needs replacing) – but that is not the point of installing one. We need a flexible, responsive electricity supply system, and part of the solution needs to happen at the point of generation. A solar PV system is a generator, and owners of generators will at some point need to take responsibility for the electricity they generate – not dumping it on the grid at mid-day, but instead finding ways of using it (not wasting it), storing it for later use, or releasing it onto the grid when there is real demand.
By installing solar together with battery storage at the point of generation, you increase your self-consumption, reduce your need to import electricity and (depending on the type of system installed) have a back up supply in the event of a power cut.
If you are considering a battery, first of all read the guide below…
Battery storage: Store the excess electricity you generate at home
At Ecocetera we have installed several different types of battery, and our favourites are summarised below. We have not included prices as these change so quickly – and are usually dependent on the nature of your existing solar PV installation. Contact us for a bespoke quotation.
Tesla Powerwall2
Tesla Powerwall2 consists of a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, liquid thermal control system, an integrated inverter and software that intelligently dispatches electricity when it’s needed most. The unit mounts seamlessly on a wall or on the ground, indoors or outdoors, and is connected to the grid to export excess energy, maximizing your opportunity for economic benefit.
It can be added to existing solar PV systems, or installed as part of a new project.
Ecocetera are pleased to announce that we are certified installers for the Tesla Powerwall!
With 13.5kWh of usable storage capacity, and the ability to run the house in the event of a power cut, this is the king of the batteries!
GivEnergy
These battery storage systems come with a starting capacity of 2.6kWh, 5.2kWh, 8.2kWh or 9.5kWh. They are modular, so you can add further storage capacity at a later date very easily.
They are compatible with Octopus Energy’s Agile tariff, which tracks the wholesale energy price, charging the battery when prices are low (or even negative), and releasing from the battery when prices are high. More details here.
GivEnergy are a British company with a UK based service (and customer service) department.
SolarEdge Home Battery
The SolarEdge Home Battery is designed to connect easily with SolarEdge inverters. It is DC- coupled for high efficiency and can be fully monitored on the SolarEdge Portal.
This high energy density battery has a storage capacity of 10kWh, is compact, lightweight and can be retro-fitted to existing systems.
Designed to integrate with the existing SolarEdge home PV system. When you install a SolarEdge Energy Bank you can increase both power and capacity at any time, by combining multiple SolarEdge inverters and batteries for a superior PV system.
