Solar-Plus-Storage

Solar-plus-storage pairs a battery with a new or existing solar system to increase the value of the system. Solar by itself offers inexpensive energy from a renewable source, but without a battery, its usefulness can be limited at night or during cloudy days.

By pairing solar with a storage system, the excess power generated during sunny days can be stored in a battery for future use—whether that’s when the sun isn’t shining, when peak demand charges are high, or when the grid is down. This combination unlocks a variety of economic, resiliency and sustainability benefits that go beyond the benefits of solar alone.

In many areas, businesses that adopt on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) technology experience a decrease in their overall energy costs relative to what they were paying their utility.

Adding storage to the solar system creates even greater savings. Businesses can store excess solar generation and then consume that electricity during periods of peak demand, when the grid is most stressed. Utilities charge a premium for energy consumption during peak demand times—for some businesses, these peak charges can make up the majority of their bill. A battery can limit consumption from the grid during these periods, effectively flattening a facility’s load curve.

Finally, in many areas a battery allows companies to participate in demand response, a market program that offers incentive payments to facilities willing to decrease electricity usage at times when the grid is under extreme stress. With a battery, organizations can earn demand response payments by shifting power from the grid to the battery, resulting in little to no operational disruption.

Flexible Financing Options for Every Situation

Many companies may be drawn to the resiliency and sustainability value of solar-plus-storage, but hesitate at the CapEx necessary to start a project. Enel X offers a wide variety of financing options, allowing businesses to pay for the system in the way that works for them.

Because solar power requires no fossil fuels, solar systems are a renewable energy pillar. But on cloudy days, a solar system without storage may require a business to consume energy from the grid, using power derived from fossil fuel generation plants.

With storage, businesses can maximize their energy consumption from renewables. For organizations with explicit greenhouse gas emission targets or clean energy initiatives, a solar-plus-storage system will meet and often exceed corporate goals.

Power outages have increased over the past several decades, and as extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent, outages may only get worse. Solar-plus-storage is one of the strongest resiliency solutions on the market and can provide backup power ranging from several hours to several days, while still allowing organizations to achieve their sustainability goals. 

To discuss your options, contact us today