PV and storage in commerce: when is the combination worth it?
PV systems generate a lot of energy, but not always at the right time. Storage can help – if the consumption profile and economics are right.
The core problem: generation and consumption do not always match
Many commercial roofs generate a lot of solar power at midday. Consumption, however, often occurs in the morning, evening, at night or in short production and charging windows. Without storage, surplus power is fed into the grid or the site later draws energy from the grid again.
What a storage system can do
A storage system shifts PV power in time. It can increase self-consumption, reduce peaks and support charging infrastructure. Whether this is economical depends on feed-in tariff, power price, demand charge, consumption profile, storage price and operating strategy.
PV storage is not automatically the same as peak shaving
A storage system optimised for self-consumption is operated differently from one for peak shaving. In many projects, both goals must be weighed against each other. If the battery is fully charged with PV at midday, it must still have enough reserve later for peaks or charging windows.
Especially attractive
- high daytime consumption with PV generation
- growing charging infrastructure
- relevant demand charge
- limited grid connection
- clear operating hours and controllable loads
We assess PV generation, load profile, tariff, charging demand and grid connection together. Only then can a reliable statement on storage size be made.
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