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Buying a power storage system: 7 reasons + 7 tips
It is becoming increasingly essential to have an independent and climate-friendly energy supply. A private photovoltaic system combined with a power storage unit presents a reliable solution to achieve a high degree of independence of electricity suppliers. Find seven good reasons and seven practical tips for purchasing your power storage unit listed below.
7 reasons for buying a power storage system
1. More independence of electricity suppliers
A power storage unit reduces your dependency on electricity suppliers. You become more self-sufficient and are less affected by future energy price increases.
2. Increase in self-consumption
A typical photovoltaic system without a power storage unit has a self-consumption rate of approx. 15 to 30 per cent. Adding a power storage unit can boost this rate to up to 70 per cent.
3. Independence of times of day and weather conditions
A power storage unit allows you to utilise your self-generated power in the morning and evening hours. It also applies on rainy and cloudy days.
4. Increase in real estate value
The real estate values of properties demonstrably rise when fitted with photovoltaic and power storage systems.
5. Decrease in feed-in tariffs
Consumer electricity prices continue rising while the feed-in tariff for surplus solar power keeps falling. Feeding self-generated solar power into the grid is becoming increasingly uneconomical.
6. Subsidies
Governments, as well as municipalities, are regularly setting up subsidy programmes that make acquiring power storage systems even more attractive.
7. Support of the energy transition
Power storage systems are playing a vital role in the transformation of the energy supply. In combination with a PV system, they support the transition away from a centralised, carbon-based towards a decentralised, renewable energy supply infrastructure.
7 tips for buying a power storage unit
1. Choose the right battery technology
Lithium iron phosphate-based batteries have emerged as the gold standard for power storage units. They do not overheat and have a very long service life.
2. Consider the System Performance Index (SPI)
The System Performance Index (SPI) key figure describes the energy efficiency of solar power storage systems. It factors in the system's energy loss mechanisms and provides a realistic benchmark to compare the actual performance of the storage systems. > Learn more here.
The higher the efficiency, the less energy is lost in the storage system. RCT Power's power storage systems have an efficiency of over 97%. They are among the best performing systems on the market.
3. Choose the appropriate capacity
The capacity of the power storage unit (in kWh) should be selected as a multiple of the PV system output power with values in the range of 0.9 to 1.6. The exact value depends on your individual consumption patterns. RCT Power, therefore covers this spread with a wide range of batteries on offer. These are available with nominal capacities of 3.8 to 11.5 kWh.
4. Use available subsidy programmes
As mentioned above, federal and state governments as well as local municipalities are regularly setting up subsidy programmes. They are usually available for a limited period of time. You can find more information of the current programmes in your city or state on the relevant Internet portals.
5. Apply for low-interest financing
The German KfW Bank usually offers low-interest loans for financing a power storage system. Get informed about special funding models.
6. Select grid-serving power storage systems
A forecast-based, intelligent charging strategy charges the battery in line with weather conditions and individual energy consumption patterns. The power storage system thus relieves the grid from PV system feed-in peak loads and increases your self-consumption. Many subsidy programmes, therefore, mandate grid-serving capabilities for power storage systems.
7. Retrofit an existing PV system
Many old PV systems are no longer eligible for feed-in tariffs. Adding a power storage unit to these PV systems is of particular interest. An AC-coupled storage system is easily retrofitted to these PV systems.
Conclusion: There are good reasons for using power storage systems
If you are aiming for a maximum independence of electricity suppliers, you should install a power storage system in your private household. These systems support the creation of a decentralised power supply infrastructure. Investigate currently available subsidy programmes before you buy. Carefully examine the system parameters efficiency, battery technology and capacity.