Small system, big gains from battery storage
This post briefly illustrates the addition of a battery to an existing solar installation and its significant impact on efficiency. There are, however, some important considerations. The foremost is that the system must be well-designed. A battery that is either too small or too large will not optimize the system's performance. Ideally, the solar system should be tailored to match consumption. A properly designed and installed battery can offer substantial advantages to the homeowner.
The example in question involves a modest 2.4kW solar system installed in 2022 on a four-bedroom house inhabited by a pensioner. This case is especially relevant at the moment as the pensioner is facing the loss of their winter fuel allowance, making it a timely subject for the story.
The data from August 2023, depicted below, shows the system's performance before the addition of any battery storage. The graphic indicates that although the system generated 219kWh of energy that month, only 66kWh, or 47%, was actually used by the household. The majority, 152kWh, was exported to the grid, despite the fact that 75.6kWh was imported. From an efficiency and cost-saving perspective, this is suboptimal since the revenue from the exported energy is significantly less than the cost of the imported energy. This discrepancy is attributed to the energy usage profile. For instance, in August, despite the longer, sunnier days, most of the energy production occurred when consumption was low. The energy used during the darker hours of evening and night likely came from the grid, as the solar panels did not produce sufficient energy to meet the demand.
The image taken from this month's readings illustrates a significant change after the installation of a battery storage unit on the property. It's important to note that this August has been sunnier than the last, and the month isn't over yet. The most notable figure is the self-consumption percentage. Currently, 94% or 169kWh of the electricity generated by the solar system has been used, with only 11.7kWh or 6% imported from the grid. Additionally, 67.9kWh has been exported back to the grid since the total energy production exceeds consumption. The key difference now is that the revenue from the exported energy has surpassed the cost of the imported energy, resulting in a credit for the pensioner this month.
It should be noted, as previously mentioned, that not all systems will reach the same level of efficiency. Additionally, to capitalize on financial benefits, it's crucial to be on suitable tariffs with the appropriate providers. The complexity of this task means that choosing the correct system and provider is essential; opting for a system that seems like a bargain at first may not yield the desired outcomes.
Tewdric Energy specializes in installing systems that can be controlled and monitored to optimize efficiency. Our focus is continually on enhancing customer returns. Through our energy trading platform, we aim to maximize returns from non-generation activities, which includes uncovering hidden income opportunities within a system.
For those curious or somewhat knowledgeable about solar energy, it's clear that we've chosen a month favorable for generation. A well-designed system with sufficient solar capacity should meet energy needs for approximately eight months of the year. Additionally, with battery storage for times when production falls short, and assuming you're on the right tariff with a professional optimizing your system, you can 'time-shift' energy. This involves charging the battery at night when electricity is cheaper and using it during peak hours when energy prices are higher. So for the months where Solar production is not enough, you can still use your battery to save significant sums of money.
For those pensioners out there that are going to lose their Winter Fuel Allowance this may not be a bad option to consider. A good system should save you hundreds every year, help the planet and will outlast any government.