Mark Millar, CEO of home battery and solar solutions manufacturer Puredrive Energy discusses how affordable storage batteries can support lower energy costs and a reduction in emissions.
Global adoption of renewable energy solutions is gathering at a pace. With solar panels and heat pump installations becoming more accessible and affordable to homeowners and commercial premises, installers have a unique opportunity to add another string to their green energy bow.
As homeowners and commercial customers continue to look for cleaner and cost-effective energy, home storage batteries present a unique opportunity to optimise existing systems and maximise the investment they have made to lower costs and cut emissions.
Industry issues
The rapid expansion of the solar and storage industry has brought to light significant challenges that affect end users.
The influx of new solar installation companies may lead to a lack of technical expertise and aftercare capability needed in order to meet rising customer expectations and demand.
Addressing this issue requires a robust approach from manufacturers of solar and storage products that prioritises quality assurance and a high level of ongoing support to installers as well as homeowners. For example, distributing products through carefully chosen, well-vetted installation channels can ensure that both the technical execution and aftercare are up to standard.
Additionally, collaboration between installation teams and technical support services helps facilitate a smooth onboarding experience for users. This approach also empowers homeowners to optimise their solar and energy storage systems (ESS) for long-term energy savings while maintaining customer satisfaction throughout the products lifecycle.
Benefits of home storage
In order to maximise the end users’ experiences with solar and storage solutions installers should first understand the substantial benefits provided with such systems.
ESS can store electricity that is drawn from renewable generation such as solar panels or from off-peak grid sources. It can maximise current solar set ups by keeping the energy until it is needed by the homeowner or residential premises. Battery storage can also take advantage of smart tariffs to store energy purchased at cost-effective rates, ready for peak periods where electricity would have been significantly more expensive. This enables substantial savings for the customer.
Lithium-ion batteries are the leading technology within home energy storage, and as a result have made batteries more affordable, have a longer service life and a higher energy density.
While installers traditionally may pair ESS with an existing solar array, an increasing number of homeowners and commercial customers are choosing a battery-only option, utilising their smart time-of-use tariffs to lower their energy bills. By choosing to install ESS, installers open a whole new market of potential customers and uncover emerging revenue streams.
Solar battery retrofitting
Existing solar adopters are looking to add to their current system with solar battery storage. 43% of UK households with solar panels also have an energy storage battery, demonstrating a demand for retrofitting an ESS. Adding storage to an existing solar system is a simple and logical step to take for customers and does not require any changes to be made to solar panels. Once complete the ESS will charge using solar generated energy and can be used to power the home during the evenings. Users can also integrate their EV charger with their ESS to create their own ecosystem, charging their car at peak times using stored energy purchased at off peak rates.
Battery-only installations
Customers may also choose to install a battery prior to an existing solar system is installed to lower their initial investment, or even as a standalone arrangement to maximise their smart tariffs and reduce their energy costs.
An ESS can be programmed to buy power at the most cost-effective time day or night and store it in the system. This is then used to power the house or premises when demand calls for it.
For installers, this presents an opportunity to offer an expanded array of services beyond traditional solar projects. ESS allows for seamless integration, offering both grid-charged and solar-powered configurations. Installers can emphasise the immediate cost benefits of a battery-only system while highlighting future-proofing opportunities and investments, such as solar panels, for greener living as well as increased grid independence.
Installation process
Installers can hold an initial site survey in-person or even over the phone to determine the ideal location for the install, ensuring sufficient ventilation, load-bearing capacity, and compliance with local electrical codes. A Wi-Fi signal check is carried out to ensure adequate signal strength, and finally the overall distances the ESS is away from the solar panel input or main incomer is confirmed.
Usually, battery units are installed indoors within a utility room, garage, or space under stairs and are typically mounted on the wall or secured modularly to the floor. For optimal wiring, units are positioned near the electrical distribution board. Installs are simple and time efficient, often only taking half a day to fully install.
The ESS is connected to the home’s electrical distribution board via a dedicated breaker. To control the ESS’s cycles installers need to set up the inverter to enable scheduled charge and discharge times, whilst also inverting DC to AC power efficiently which will then be dispersed within the home or commercial premises. Additionally, if customers are combining battery and solar panels, installers will need to configure the inverter to enable a smooth connection and energy transfer between the battery, solar array, and grid.
Once installed, testing should be undertaken for safety reasons. This is followed by a commissioning process to tailor the best overall outcome for all components in the ESS.
Installers can then deliver necessary end user training to ensure the customer understands how the system is monitored and how to maximise for optimal performance and savings.
Clear post-installation guidance is key to both homeowner satisfaction and long-term viability of the system.
As technological developments have made them more efficient and affordable to customers, alongside the need for cost-effective energy, ESS are being added to installers range of products.
In doing so, installers can widen their product portfolio, opening new revenue streams, and ensuring they provide a full experience, combined with or without solar, to customers looking to reduce their energy costs and save on carbon emissions.
