Photovoltaic plus energy storage for home use

What is a solar plus storage system?

With a solar plus storage system, you can use that electricity to charge your energy storage system instead of exporting excess solar production to the grid. Then, when you're using electricity after the sun's gone down, you can draw from your solar battery instead of from the electric grid.

Is energy storage a viable option for utility-scale solar energy systems?

Energy storage has become an increasingly common component of utility-scale solar energy systems in the United States. Much of NREL's analysis for this market segment focuses on the grid impacts of solar-plus-storage systems, though costs and benefits are also frequently considered.

How does solar-plus-storage affect energy systems?

Solar-plus-storage shifts some of the solar system's output to evening and night hours and provides other grid benefits. NREL employs a variety of analysis approaches to understand the factors that influence solar-plus-storage deployment and how solar-plus-storage will affect energy systems.

Is solar-plus-storage better than standalone storage?

Both standalone storage and solar-plus-storage can help you save on electricity bills with demand charges or TOU rates. However, solar-plus-storage should save you more on TOU rates. The final verdict: Both systems have their advantages.

Should you install a solar-plus-storage system?

For those seeking longer term resilience, a solar-plus-storage system may still be the best choice, as the focus of the program is to provide 'grid services' and a few hours of backup power during short outages. However, it may not be the best solution for longer-duration backup power during prolonged outages.

Can solar-plus-storage save you money?

Both solar-plus-storage and standalone storage may be able to help you save money, depending on your consumption habits and the structure of your electricity bill.