Commercial Battery Storage

Store and use more of the free electricity your solar panels produce.

Commercial Solar Batteries

Energy storage or battery storage solutions are battery units that are installed on-site to offer businesses a means to store and discharge electricity at specific times, operate independently from the grid and offer backup power when needed.

Solarsense offer a full turnkey solution for battery storage solutions, including analysing your business and its suitability, specifying the best technologies, designing your system and installation.

What is a commercial battery storage system?

Commercial battery storage systems are designed to store electricity for use at a later time. They can be integrated into existing solar panel PV systems or installed alongside a new solar PV installation or as a standalone system. They are often used to balance loads between busy periods, between on-peak and off-peak hours from the grid, should electricity requirements not be met by solar panel installations. This is particularly useful and effective in the winter or on darker days.

Efficient usage of the battery storage system can further reduce energy bills and make a quicker return on your investment. You are able to charge the battery during off-peak hours to store cheaper electricity for later use. You are also able to directly charge the battery with your solar PV panels, which can also be used whenever you need it or sold back to the grid. Commercial businesses can see significant returns on their investment by choosing to install commercial battery storage alongside solar panels.

Integrating your solar panel system with a battery storage solution

In most cases, battery storage solutions are integrated with commercial solar panels as a means to capitalise on the energy savings they produce, as well as leverage a number of additional financial and environmental benefits.

Battery units can also be installed as a stand-alone product, independent of a renewable energy source and used to store cheaper energy from the grid during lower cost periods and discharge during peak times to avoid demand charges and peak-time energy costs.

Small Business:
Tesla Powerwall

With up to 13.5kWh of storage and the capability to deliver 5kW of continuous power the Tesla Powerwall offers exceptional value for money. Powerwall stores your excess solar energy to make it available on demand, maximising your use of solar and reducing your reliance on the grid.

Powerwall is ideally suited for small to medium sized businesses (SMEs). It is really useful for businesses that tend to operate in the evening, such as restaurants, art galleries, offices, churches and more. Powerwall is a completely automated system that requires no maintenance and will automatically update over time via over-the-air software updates.

Larger Businesses:
Tesvolt – TS HV 70

The TS HV 70 storage system is not only built for efficiency, it is also one of the most advanced and powerful storage systems on the market. Its cutting-edge prismatic lithium battery cells from Samsung SDI and innovative technology like the Active Battery Optimizer ensure outstanding performance.

The system is designed to last 8,000 cycles or a 30-year lifespan, guaranteeing excellent cost efficiency. With its continuous power of 1C, the TS HV 70 storage system can charge and discharge in next to no time, making it ideal for professional use in commercial applications, agriculture and industry.

Larger Businesses:
Tesvolt – TS HV 70 (Outdoor)

Whether you want to increase self-consumption, shave your peak energy loads, optimise your diesel hybrid system, or or go off-grid, the Tesvolt TS HV 70 Outdoor represents a flexible storage solution for any application.

Its advanced, cost-optimised design makes for unbeatable efficiency – without sacrificing quality or performance. It is extremely robust and therefore well-suited for businesses that don’t have a plant room. Thanks to cutting-edge prismatic lithium battery cells from Samsung SDI, the TESVOLT TS HV 70 is one of the most efficient and durable batteries on the market.

BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

How can energy storage benefit my business?

Improved sustainability

Store and utilise all of your clean solar energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and ‘brown’ energy bought from the grid.

Emergency backup power

Draw energy from your battery and remain operational in the event of a brownout or period of energy rationing.

Peak shaving

Discharge your free solar energy at times of peak demand to avoid demand charges and peak-time energy costs.

Load shifting

Shift energy consumption from one point in time to another to avoid peak energy prices and reduce costs.

Scalable design

Scalable to the space and energy requirements of any site; from small businesses to large-scale solar parks.

Energy independence

Integrate with solar PV, build a localised grid and operate independently from the National Grid.

Does battery storage require maintenance?

Solar batteries deteriorate and lose their charge over time in a similar way to regular batteries. They require regular maintenance to maximise their lifespan. During maintenance, physical components such as terminals and cabling will be checked for signs of corrosion, performance will be monitored with relevant software to check charge levels and voltage, and ventilation and temperature will be checked to ensure that the battery is working correctly. This is vital to ensure that your battery is running effectively and there aren’t any issues that may cause a system failure over time.

We offer maintenance and servicing after your commercial battery storage system is installed. You shouldn’t delay in contacting our team should issues occur or if you think that there is a potential issue with the system. You can decide on the frequency of servicing and maintenance, but this is recommended at least once a year, as the battery is in constant use.

Achieving great ROI with solar battery storage

Solar battery storage helps to achieve fantastic ROIs when you choose to install this alongside a solar PV system or as a standalone system. You are able to protect your business against rising grid-supplied energy costs that can be a huge strain on your business cash flow, especially if a price hike is unexpected. The various ways to finance your solar battery storage can be tailored to your cashflow requirements and can be tailored to reach optimal returns on your investment in a specific time period, based on your requirements. Clever utilisation of the solar battery storage system from the grid to leverage off-peak, cheaper electricity when you need to meet electrical requirements can see a significant saving in electricity costs and achieve a faster ROI from your system.

A number of different sectors can benefit from installing commercial battery storage for their business premises. These sectors include warehouses, factories, distribution centres, data centres, hospitals, hotels and many others. Find out more about all of the sectors that can benefit by visiting our sectors section of the website.

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What is solar battery storage?

Solar panel batteries or solar battery storage stores excess electricity produced by solar panels for later use. The stored electricity can be used throughout the day or at night to optimise your electrical efficiency and reduce energy bills further. Adding solar battery storage to your solar PV system or installing a comprehensive commercial solar panel system further decreases your dependency on the grid, allowing you to take advantage of peak times if you do have to use it in the winter months and provides greater utilisation of your own generated electricity.

How does battery storage work?

The direct current that is generated when your solar panels absorb light from the sun can be used to directly charge the solar battery. When electricity is required to power your commercial property from the battery, this is converted through the inverter to generate the alternating current that is needed to provide power to devices and systems within the premises. During the night or with reduced sunlight, you can efficiently use your battery to power the property.

What are the benefits of commercial battery storage?

It’s highly recommended that you install a commercial battery storage system alongside solar PV, but they can also be installed as a standalone system. Commercial battery storage provides additional energy cost savings through load or peak shifting. You are able to take advantage of off-peak, cheaper electricity from the grid if your solar panel system doesn’t provide enough electricity to meet all of your needs each day. This is also highly effective in the winter months, where there are reduced sunlight hours. Excess electricity generated can also be stored in the battery for later use or sold back to the grid.

Solar batteries can be used for auxiliary power, provided they are installed with a changeover switch. You will be able to increase your green credentials and decrease your overall environmental impact as you become more efficient with electrical usage and generation. Commercial battery storage is also a great choice for solar car ports and other EV charge point installations. The battery system can help manage the load of having requirements to charge vehicles throughout the day.

What size solar battery will I need?

The right size of commercial solar battery will depend on your business’s energy consumption and goals. The average system is 20kWh or larger, but the right size can be calculated by analysing your daily energy usage, peak demand times and potential future needs.

Do I need planning permission for installing a commercial battery storage system in the UK?

Yes, a commercial battery storage system in the UK will likely require planning permission. This will depend on the size and scale of the system, as well as whether it is installed in a visible location or is located within a conservation area, flood risk zone or a listed building.

Safety is also vital when it comes to installing a solar battery system, so complying with building regulations is important. The battery will need proper ventilation and fire safety measures.

How can a commercial battery storage system improve power quality?

A commercial battery storage system has the potential to improve power quality by providing voltage and frequency regulation. The system will act as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for backup during outages, whilst also actively correcting harmonic distortion.

It can also offset reactive power and correct power factor, reducing energy waste and improving grid compliance. A poor power factor could increase power demand, leading to inefficiencies and potential penalties from utilities.

A battery system will also manage internal load distribution, smoothing out spikes in demand and improving the stability of your system whilst lowering peak demand charges. It will also provide instant backup during outages, with the capability to ensure continuous operation for critical systems without the delay of traditional generators.

Together, these functions create a more stable, reliable and cleaner electrical supply to protect your sensitive equipment from fluctuations and damage.

What is the specific benefit of battery storage for businesses subject to high demand charges from the grid?

The main benefit of battery storage for businesses with high demand charges is peak shaving. This process, where the system discharges stored energy during peak usage hours, reduces the maximum power drawn from the grid, lowering costly demand charges.

With a solar battery, you can avoid high-priced energy periods and significantly decrease your overall electricity bills.

Can battery storage solutions be used to manage intermittent high loads from heavy machinery or industrial equipment?

Yes, a battery storage solution is effective at managing intermittent high loads and power spikes from heavy machinery and industrial equipment. The battery will act as a buffer and a stable and reliable source of power.

Industrial equipment is also often sensitive to voltage drops caused by intermittent high loads. The battery storage system can respond to stabilise the power supply, protecting your equipment from potential damage.

What type of solar battery should I buy?

There are two types of solar batteries: lead-acid and lithium-ion. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, yet are more compact, more efficient, charge faster and have higher capacities. They also last twice as long as lead-acid batteries.

If you are installing a solar battery alongside a solar panel system, a DC battery that connects directly to the panels is your best option. However, an AC battery is much easier to retrofit to an existing system.

Your best bet is to discuss your needs with a professional installer to decide on which type of solar battery you need.

How big are battery storage solutions? What are the dimensions?

Battery units are typically modular and stackable, but vary in size depending on the manufacturer. For a smaller to medium-sized business, a single battery can be mounted on the ground or to a wall using a bracket. For larger-scale solutions containing a number of units, you may need to consider a plant room or similar. A 2MW battery is likely to occupy the footprint of a shipping container or similar.

What batteries do SolarSense install?

Our challenge is to identify the best products for your specific site and the way you use your energy. If you have a preferred product or specific manufacturer that you would like to use, we can build this into your quotation and offer advice on similar panels or a like-for-like system.

What Is ‘Depth of Discharge’?

The phrase ‘Depth of Discharge’ refers to the maximum amount of a battery’s capacity you should use. For example, if you have a battery with a total capacity of 10 kWh and a maximum DoD of 85%, you should only use a maximum of 8.5 kWh.

You may be able to use more, but doing so repeatedly affects the battery health. Knowing the DoD is key, as having a higher DoD means that more of the battery’s capacity is usable.

What is the typical usable capacity of a solar battery, and how does the battery management system manage this?

A solar battery typically has a usable capacity of 80% to 100% of the total capacity, determined by the Depth of Discharge rating.

The battery management system will protect this total capacity and prevent it from being overcharged or over-discharged. Both of these can cause permanent damage, shortening the battery’s lifespan.

Will a commercial battery storage system integrate safety features and fire suppression measures?

Most commercial battery storage systems are designed with multiple layers of safety features and fire suppression. This includes the battery management system, thermal management systems, fire-resistant enclosures and separation, ventilation and explosion protection, early warning detection systems, and electrical protection systems.

What are the environmental and temperature requirements for installing the battery units?

A solar battery system will work better and last longer when it is not exposed to environmental and temperature extremes. They work best at room temperature, which is why a system will typically be installed indoors. Some outdoor locations are suitable, and lithium-ion batteries can handle fluctuating temperatures and environmental conditions; however, they should be installed facing north to avoid direct sunlight and in a special weatherproof casing to shield them from rain and snow.

Should I combine solar battery storage with a Solar PV System?

Solar PV systems and solar battery storage go hand-in-hand as a fully comprehensive system, and allow you to harness the full benefits of commercial solar. The choice to combine the systems is ultimately for you to decide, and solar battery storage can be retroactively installed into your commercial PV system. If you already have a solar PV system installed, then installing solar battery storage is a natural next step to expanding the benefits that you receive from solar electricity. Many businesses choose to install a fully comprehensive system that combines solar panels and solar battery storage, while others decide to upgrade retroactively.

Can I install solar battery storage with a current solar PV system?

Battery storage can be installed after a solar PV system as an upgrade retroactively. This allows you to reap the benefits of an enhanced solar PV system and make your solar PV more efficient. This will also allow you to reach ROI targets faster, effectively generating clean electricity for your business that becomes free once your return on investment is reached. We can install commercial battery storage to any existing system and suggest other improvements when we assess your current system.

When can I use my solar battery for power?

Solar battery storage is typically used to power a property during periods when solar panels are unable to generate enough electricity. This is usually in the winter months, when the days are shorter, as well as days when there isn’t enough sunlight. Solar batteries can also utilise cheaper tariff rates to charge during off-peak hours from the grid, providing cheaper electricity during the winter. You can also strategically use your generated electricity from solar panels in the evening via your battery to reduce your energy bills. This is known as load shifting.

Solar battery storage can also be used for auxiliary power. Brownouts can cause disruptions to your commercial operations, costing you time and money, so having a backup source of auxiliary power protects your business. Solar panel systems with solar batteries with EPS (Emergency Power Supply) installed switch to battery power in the case of an emergency blackout of all electricity.

Will a solar battery work during a power cut?

Your solar battery will need to be configured in a particular way for it to work during a power cut. Your battery will need a backup feature that disconnects from the grid in a failure. This is a safety feature designed to ensure engineers can work on the grid and get it back up and running without risking being electrocuted. Your system will also need to feature Emergency Power Supply or EPS to be able to be used as a backup energy supply.

With the right backup features, your solar battery will have a relay switch that automatically disconnects in a power cut, a process called ‘islanding’.

How is the battery system integrated with our existing Building Management System or energy monitoring software?

A solar battery integrates with energy monitoring software to monitor and control the flow of energy. This ensures the safety, efficiency and longevity of the system, tracking real-time data such as voltage, current and temperature.

If our business energy demand changes significantly, can the installed system be scaled up or down in capacity later?

Yes, most modern commercial battery systems are designed to be scaled up and down in capacity after installation. This is key if you are considering how your business’s energy demands may evolve.

How much will solar battery storage installation cost?

The cost of installation or upgrading of your current solar panel system will depend on the size of the batteries that you are choosing to install, the number of battery systems and the complexity of the installation. During your initial free quotation, we will provide you with an accurate and competitive quote on the price of your project, as well as the amount of money that you should expect to save on your energy bills.

Will the installation of a battery affect my Feed-in Tariff payments?

No, in most cases, solar PV batteries are AC coupled, meaning that the energy is stored after your inverter has converted the energy from DC and your meter has measured it.

Should I wait for technology to improve?

People often ask whether there is a breakthrough on the horizon that they should hold out for. In reality, over the 24 years that we have been in business, we have found that breakthroughs in the lab rarely translate to practical solutions for people’s homes or businesses. We only source tried and tested, ‘tier one’ products from the world’s leading manufacturers and will use the most up-to-date kit available at the point of installation. We will always notify you if there are any changes to the products listed in your design specification.

What is the typical Payback Period (ROI) for a commercial battery system?

The typical payback period for a commercial battery system is 4 to 8 years. This will depend on the system size, electricity rates, and usage.

Commercial systems will naturally have a shorter payback period than residential systems, due to the higher daytime electricity consumption.

Will installing a commercial battery system affect our property insurance premiums?

Installing a commercial battery system affects your property insurance premiums due to the perceived fire risks. Even though these systems are installed with precision and comply with exceptionally high safety standards, it is still essential to notify your insurer about the installation to ensure your business is adequately protected.

How long will a battery last?

Like the life of your mobile phone, the lifespan of your battery will depend on how often it is charged and discharged. Each manufacturer offers a minimum number of charging cycles and a warranty period as standard.

Do solar batteries require maintenance?

As with any battery, they need to be carefully maintained and looked after to maintain peak efficiency. Solar batteries have a lifespan, so maintaining your system will extend its lifespan and the time before you require a replacement battery. Solar panel battery maintenance is recommended to ensure that your battery system, as well as your solar panel system, are running as efficiently as possible all year round.

Do you offer solar panel servicing/maintenance?

Solar batteries are similar to other battery systems in that they will need regular servicing to ensure that they are running as efficiently as possible, and this also extends their lifespan. For the maintenance of solar batteries, we highly recommend professional maintenance and servicing from our team. This is recommended at least once a year to ensure that the batteries are being maintained and are running as efficiently as possible.

The maintenance process involves carrying out checks on the system as well as carrying out any cleaning and repairs that are needed. The battery element is checked for corrosion, as well as the wiring of the system. Storage and temperature are also checked, as well as inspections on the battery itself and how it’s operating. We can also provide guidance on maximising efficiency, and if you have solar panels, we can inspect these as well.

What is the recommended service schedule for a solar battery system?

It is recommended that you book a professional service for your solar battery system at least once a year. If you have a larger system or one that is used heavily or is subject to harsh environments, it’s recommended that it be checked more frequently.

Ensuring your solar battery system is checked regularly ensures safety, maintains peak performance and maximises the lifespan.