Solar PV Battery Storage
The Perfect Combination To Reduce Your Electricity Bill
Solar PV Battery Storage systems are fast becoming a popular choice for households across the country. As electricity prices increase and the cost of living crisis takes hold, more and more people are looking at ways of reducing their energy bills through the installation of low carbon and renewable energy systems. As technology develops, Solar PV Battery Storage systems are becoming increasingly more efficient and this coupled with the cost of electricity prices, households are starting to wake up to viability of Solar PV Battery storage systems.
What Is Solar PV
Photovoltaic systems (PV systems) are a renewable energy technology which transforms the energy from the sun into electricity using photovoltaics. Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electric power using semiconducting materials such as silicon.
Photovoltaic systems use photovoltaic cells to collect solar energy from the sunlight, and converts it into direct current (DC) electricity. The reflection of the sunlight will create an electric field across photovoltaic systems, causing electricity to flow.
The combination of multiple photovoltaic modules (or panels) is called a photovoltaic system. Solar panels produce direct current (DC) but with a solar inverter, you can convert it to alternate current (AC), which is used for home appliances
Battery Storage Systems
Solar PV Battery Storage systems utilise excess energy being produced by PV yield and transfer this energy is battery storage units. Typically, when the base load of your property is being met by the yield from your PV system, the system will automatically divert any unused energy to your battery pack to be used at a later date (usually at night). A hybrid Inverter is able to be programmed to different modes depending on the demand from your house.
Benefits of Solar PV Battery Storage:
- Store and use excess energy during the evening. Instead of exporting this energy back to the grid at between 3-6 pence per kw, you can storage and use this energy at night or when your property calls for more power.
- During the winter months, you may not be able to completely charge your batteries during daytime. Battery storage allows for the charging of your batteries during off-peak times, meaning that you can charge your battery system on a lower tariff (if available) and use this energy in the daytime
- Some Inverters allow for optimised charging periods. Providers such as Octopus have tariffs that constantly look for the cheapest rate throughout the day / evening. This means you can set your batteries to charge at times when electricity is at it’s cheapest
Funding For Solar PV & Battery Storage Systems
In the UK, there are a few types of grants available to you if you want to invest in solar energy:
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- Reduced VAT on Energy-Saving Products
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (only ASHP, GSHP & Biomass)
- Feed-in Tariff (FIT) (no longer open to new applications)
- Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) (only for solar thermal)
What Will Replace Gas Boilers?
Whilst the Government intends to impose a gas boiler ban, many households are wondering what alternative heating solutions are available and the viability of low carbon heating systems. With the phasing out of fossil fuels, the UK Government are encouraging households to invest in renewable energy systems such as Air Source Heat Pumps, which do not rely on gas to run.
Whilst Air Source Heat Pumps can save a typical family £1200 – £1400 on heating bills each year, the cost of an installation can be between £5000 – £12000 depending on the size of the systems and any upgrades needed to your current wet system. Enter stage left; The Boiler Upgrade Scheme. To read more about BUS, please follow the link above.
If you would like more information regarding alternatives to gas boilers, please read our blog ‘Low Carbon Alternatives To Gas Boilers’
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