The BRE National Solar Centre has published a guide designed to help small businesses interested in purchasing a solar-plus-storage system to reduce energy costs.
While commercial rooftop solar installations have been around for more than five years, storage technologies have been relatively nascent but are widely expected to witness something of a breakout year in 2016.
A number of commercialised systems have been launched recently with more to follow in the coming months, including Tesla’s now famous Powerwall system. Tesla fitted the first system in Australia earlier this month and while there is no firm date for a UK launch, it is anticipated to be early this year.
The ability for businesses to store energy a rooftop solar installation generates not only increases self-consumption rates but also enables companies to avoid peak-time pricing by shifting their demand onto times when electricity is cheaper.
There has however been some concern that as storage is a relatively new concept, businesses wishing to be among the early adopters could pick or be sold a system not suited to their consumption profile.
The BRE Solar Storage Guide, available here as a free download, has been produced by the National Solar Centre alongside storage manufacturers such as Enphase, Fronius, Schneider, Victron and Wattstor.
It’s been produced to sit alongside the Renewable Energy Consumer Code to provide consumer protection advice, provide insight into the types of battery systems available and include a series of questions for businesses to ask storage installers.
Jonny Williams, director of the BRE National Solar Centre, said: “Battery storage systems are starting to become a viable option for domestic and small commercial installations. These guides explain how the systems work and how to choose the right system for the right application. Ultimately battery storage for PV will help people and businesses get the best return on their investments so making the right decisions is crucial.”
