How Solar Energy Storage Can Benefit Your Business

If you aim to power your commercial facility with energy generated by solar PV arrays, complete optimization requires the addition of a complimentary energy storage solution. Solar PV  systems generate energy that can be utilized by your facility, however, generation capacity may fluctuate throughout the day based on weather conditions. An energy storage system saves the energy your solar PV system generates so it can be utilized during peak consumption hours, a power outage, or during inclement weather. Let’s now look at how solar energy systems work, then examine how your facility can benefit from implementing a storage solution alongside your solar PV.

The most common type of storage is a lithium-ion battery system. How does this system work? Excess energy from your solar panel system charges the battery, which then stores the energy until it is needed. The energy then flows out of the battery and to your facility.

When is the stored energy used to power your facility? During periods of the day when your solar PV is not capturing at full capacity, such as when the weather is cloudy or after the sun has set. Further, the battery solution is optimized to power your facility during any power outage. As an example, across the state of California communities are experiencing rolling blackouts. Commercial facilities equipped with energy storage systems would draw upon stored power during the blackout period. Generally, energy storage solutions operate to balance your facility’s energy load allowing for uninterrupted, seamless provision of energy through the solar PV system and during particular times of need.

How do you integrate an energy storage solution in your facility? With the Helios TotalEnergy (TotalE™) approach, we first advise that you ensure your facility has the appropriate energy management and efficiency measures in place to reduce and then optimize your total energy consumption. This can be achieved with the implementation of solutions such as energy management systems, controls, LED lighting, and efficient HVAC units. Once you’ve optimized energy efficiency, then you install a right-sized energy generation solution, such as a solar PV array or wind turbines. Finally, an energy storage solution can be added as a complement to the energy generation technologies to ensure that the appropriate amount of energy is delivered, without fluctuation or interruption, at all times.

Furthermore, there are several ways to financially structure the purchase of the required equipment taking into account local utility energy efficiency programs, and using tax efficient structures to greatly reduce the payments. We can even provide structured financing as a part of the TotalE approach.

If you are interested in learning more about the installation of energy storage solutions to complement solar PV arrays, Helios Energy™ has a Team of Experts ready to help map your next steps. We partner with our clients to create innovative, tailored solutions to help meet their energy goals and take great pride in the trust they place in us to set them on a road to success.