Mark Krull from Logic4training explains the growing importance of battery storage in solar PV systems and what installers need to know about installation and training.
The popularity of solar PV has boomed in recent years as consumers look for ways to protect themselves from rising energy prices, but the technology is not without its limitations.
An obvious point is that solar panels generate the majority of electricity during the day, when most people are not at home to use it. Without some kind of storage capacity, a significant proportion of self-generated electricity will be exported to the grid for far less than it costs to buy.
Battery storage increases flexibility, allowing homeowners to store surplus solar energy during the day and use it at night, or make use of Economy 7 style tariffs to store cheap off-peak electricity for later use.
In response to high demand for EVs and electrical energy storage, many of the leading energy providers now offer innovative tariffs for households with solar panels, battery storage and/or an EV that could cut bills significantly – Octopus Energy, for example, offers upper cheap rates for battery and EV owners, allowing them to charge at night for less.
Think outside the box when specifying!
My top tip for choosing a battery is to think beyond the merits of the technology itself. To save the big bucks, consumers need to access the best tariffs and there are often very detailed requirements. At the time of writing, Octopus offer by far the best export prices, but to access their latest smart tariff homeowners must have a battery made by a specific manufacturer (more models will be included soon, apparently).
It’s important to note that this may not be a compelling enough reason for installers to recommend a particular battery, plus there is always other eligibility criteria. However, access to tariffs must be a consideration when specifying a system.
Deliver expert insight
Widespread utilisation of battery technology, particularly in the transport sector, has inspired rapid technological innovations to improve sustainability across the supply chain, from extraction of raw materials to re-use/recycling. Lithium mining for batteries is very energy intensive and expensive, however, research is underway to develop a sodium-ion battery which could drastically cut costs as sodium is so abundant.
It’s a fast-moving area and installers should make sure they keep up to date with the latest updates on technologies and tariffs so they can deliver valuable advice to customers.
Optimise PV with EESS training
Battery storage system training is ideal for experienced electrical operatives with an interest in whole house renewables or those considering solar PV training. We deliver the LCL Awards Level 3 Qualification in the Design, Installation & Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems, a two-day training course which upskills electricians in the design, specification and sizing of residential batteries based on individual requirements, to meet customer needs and ensure optimum energy bill savings.
For electrical installers looking to deliver additional value to their solar PV installation, battery storage is the ideal accompaniment, delivering more efficient energy usage, quicker return on investment and access to the most attractive energy tariffs.
Logic4training is offering 50% off its EESS course when booked with solar PV training. The courses are designed for experienced electricians, but for candidates missing some of the necessary background qualifications, such as 18th Edition, Logic4training offers a further 25% discount on this pre-requisite training.
Find out more about Logic4training here
