With the global shift towards renewable energy accelerating, solar power has taken centre stage as a clean, abundant energy source.
However, despite its many advantages, solar energy has a limitation: it doesn’t produce energy around the clock. This intermittency can create challenges in maintaining a consistent and reliable energy supply.
That’s where Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) come into play.
Battery storage solutions can capture and store excess energy generated by solar panels during sunny periods, then release it when sunlight is limited or when electricity demand is high. This capability helps stabilise the energy supply and improve the overall resilience of solar power systems.
We’ll explore more about BESS and how it supports solar energy below.
What Is BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
BESS, or Battery Energy Storage Systems, are innovative technologies designed to store electrical energy for later use.
This is particularly useful during unpredictable power periods, such as weather changes, blackouts, or even global events. Whether you’re running a business or a large-scale utility, BESS helps maintain a steady, reliable flow of power.
At a basic level, Battery Energy Storage Systems work by taking in electricity, storing it, and then releasing it when it’s needed.
The electricity can come from the power grid, a solar panel system, or another energy source. Once stored in the battery, this energy sits ready until it’s called upon, whether during peak demand hours, overnight, or during a power outage.
One example of BESS benefits is how well it pairs with solar panel systems. Since solar panels only make electricity when the sun is out, battery storage means you can save that daytime energy and use it later, like when it’s dark and cloudy.
Some even use AI and machine learning to track usage systems, predict demand, and make real-time decisions about when to store or release energy. This kind of energy intelligence can help cut costs, reduce waste, and take pressure off the grid.
BESS Benefits: Solar Energy Storage
Pairing solar energy with a Battery Energy Storage System has a range of benefits that make solar energy more efficient, sustainable, and practical.
Let’s dive in.
1. Reliable Power
One of the great strengths of BESS is how adaptable it is to different solar energy setups, whether you’re off the grid or connected to it.
In off-grid solar systems, where there’s no backup from a utility provider, BESS acts as an energy safety net, stepping in when solar panels are not generating power. At night, during cloudy spells, or when energy demand suddenly spikes, this ensures the lights stay on and appliances keep running.
BESS does even more in grid-connected solar systems. If the grid goes down, due to storms, blackouts, or maintenance, BESS can keep supplying power to essential systems. This role isn’t limited to emergencies.
BESS can balance grid fluctuations, particularly when demand jumps or solar generation dips. In some cases, BESS even supports ‘black start’ capabilities, helping restart power generation systems after a total outage.
Whether they rely on the Grid or not, integrating BESS into your solar energy systems adds a layer of reliability that traditional solar setups alone can’t match.
2. Reducing Energy Costs
Another advantage of integrating BESS with solar panels is the potential for significant cost savings.
Research from the Solar Trade Association notes that businesses that combine battery storage with solar can save up to 50% on their energy bills. This makes BESS an investment that pays for itself over time.
You can store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it during peak demand periods, when electricity prices are at their highest. This means that you’re not relying on expensive grid power when you need it most.
It’s especially beneficial for businesses or households on time-of-use rates, where electricity costs more during certain hours. By drawing from your stored energy during those peak times, you can significantly lower electricity expenses.
Additionally, BESS can help you earn money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This new tariff allows you to get paid for any excess solar energy you generate and send back to the grid, making it easier to profit from renewable energy production.
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint Further
Pairing solar energy systems with BESS helps improve efficiency and move towards a cleaner planet.
Storing excess solar energy for use later means that BESS reduces the need to draw electricity from the grid, a significant amount of which relies on fossil fuels. This shift significantly cuts down greenhouse gas emissions and helps reduce our collective carbon footprint.
The UK has made remarkable progress in adopting clean energy. As of 2023, the nation generated its trillionth kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity from renewable sources, with solar power alone accounting for 4.9% of this renewable energy mix.
Combining it with BESS significantly boosts its effectiveness, ensuring that clean energy is available even when the sun isn’t shining.
As more businesses adopt solar plus storage setups, the overall demand for fossil fuel-generated power drops. This eases the burden on traditional energy systems and accelerates the move towards sustainable energy.
4. Increased Energy Independence
With energy prices becoming more volatile and grid reliability compromised by a range of issues, having your own self-sustaining energy system can offer peace of mind.
According to the head of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, the UK is facing more power cuts than ever before, primarily due to weather events such as storms, high winds, and trees falling on power lines.
A lesser-discussed, yet highly impactful benefit of pairing solar with BESS is the increased level of energy independence that it provides.
Producing and storing your own power means that you’re less reliant on the grid, reducing your exposure to rising energy prices, supply interruptions, and external factors like weather-induced outages.
For businesses, this independence means continuity even during power cuts, while rural areas prone to grid disruptions can rely on their own energy systems. Solar plus BESS systems provide a self-sustaining solution that ensures life can continue smoothly, regardless of grid failures.
How Can We Help
To sum up, does BESS benefit solar? Absolutely! Pairing a Battery Energy Storage System with solar energy improves the overall efficiency, sustainability, and reliability of your energy setup.
At InspireGreen, we understand the transformative power of combining BESS with solar energy solutions. Whether you’re looking to improve commercial property sustainability or improve your business’s energy independence, we have several BESS solutions to meet your needs.
Get in touch with us today to find out more.
