One of the most common questions we receive at Solar Storage & Servicing. Let's delve into the factors that determine whether integrating a battery storage solution is the right choice for your solar panel system.
Whether it's worth adding a battery to your solar panel system depends on a few factors, particularly the cost of the battery, how much energy you consume, and your goals for energy independence or savings. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Grid Export Tariff (15p/kWh): If you're getting 15p per kWh for exporting excess energy to the grid, it’s not a bad rate, but it's still less than what you might pay for electricity from the grid (depending on your energy provider). This export rate is a form of income, but you’d be missing out on potential savings by not storing energy to use at night or during periods of high demand.
2. Battery Costs: The cost of installing a battery system (such as a Tesla Powerwall, Givenergy AIO, etc.) can be substantial — typically between £7,000 and £9,000 for the installation, depending on the capacity and your location. The payback period can vary widely but usually ranges between 6-12 years. However, it depends on your daily energy usage and how much excess solar energy you produce.
3. Self-Consumption: By using a battery, you can store excess solar energy and use it during periods when your solar panels aren’t generating (e.g., at night or on cloudy days). If your electricity price is higher than 15p per kWh (many UK tariffs can be 25p to 30p per kWh or more), storing and using your own solar power can save you a significant amount.
4. Energy Independence: If you’re looking for more energy independence and want to reduce reliance on the grid (or avoid future increases in energy costs), adding a battery might make sense. Batteries allow you to use solar power during periods when you might otherwise need to buy electricity from the grid.
5. Environmental Impact: Batteries can help you maximize the use of renewable energy, reducing your carbon footprint and making your system more sustainable over the long term.
6. Battery Life and Efficiency: Batteries degrade over time (usually 10-15 years), meaning their storage capacity reduces gradually. So, consider this factor when calculating your long-term savings. Also, bear in mind that energy stored in a battery may not be as efficient as direct consumption from the solar panels, as there are conversion losses (charging and discharging)
7. Summary: If your primary goal is saving money and the cost of the battery is relatively high compared to your current savings from exporting energy, it may take a long time to see a return on the investment. However, if your electricity costs are higher than the export rate or you want more energy independence, adding a battery might be worth it in the long run. It’s a good idea to assess how much excess energy you produce (over the 15p/kWh export) and your consumption patterns before making a decision.
Add comment
Comments