If you already have solar panels installed on your property in Northern Ireland, adding a solar battery could significantly increase your cost savings. Many NI home and business owners are upgrading their existing solar PV systems with battery storage and hybrid inverters to maximise self-consumption and save on their electricity bills.
Electricity prices continue to fluctuate, and without solar battery storage, much of the solar energy you generate throughout the day is exported back to the grid in Northern Ireland. Adding a solar battery allows NI property owners to store that energy and use it for themselves, saving valuable pounds.
What is the benefit of adding a solar battery to your existing solar PV system?
Adding battery storage to your existing solar PV system in Northern Ireland will allow you to store excess daytime solar energy for use during peak-rate hours, reducing costs. You’ll also be able to take full advantage of the Economy 7 Day/Night Tariffs, and increase your overall return on investment for your solar PV system.
Before installing a battery however, there are some important factors to consider:
- Solar PV systems with batteries require a hybrid inverter to complement the battery management system (BMS) in order to charge and discharge correctly.
- If you already have an inverter, it may need to be moved to a more accessible place depending on where it’s installed.
Why you need a hybrid inverter to install a solar battery to your solar PV system
Overall, adding a solar battery to your existing PV system can be a great investment with many cost-saving benefits. However, to add a battery to your solar PV system, you will need a hybrid or “battery-ready” solar inverter.
Hybrid inverters allow the direct current (DC) created by solar panels to be converted into usable electricity for your home or business, while also controlling how energy is stored in and drawn from a solar battery. Without a hybrid inverter, your solar battery wouldn’t be able to function.
How can you tell if your solar inverter is battery-ready?
In a lot of cases brought to First Class Solar, existing inverters are usually not compatible with solar batteries and need to be upgraded. You can tell if your inverter is battery-ready by identifying your inverter manufacturer and model number, which is often found on a sticker on the side or top of the device. Alternatively, if you send the information across to First Class Solar, we can advise you on this. Have a look at two common examples below:
String Inverters
The manufacturer in this case is Solis, and the model number is S6-GR1P3.6K. As it’s a string inverter, it is not battery-compatible and would need to be switched over to a hybrid inverter to allow for a battery being added to the system.
Hybrid Inverters
The manufacturer of this hybrid inverter is Solis, and the model number is S5-EH1P3.6K-L. You can see “Smart hybrid” stated which means that this inverter is battery-ready without needing to change the inverter.
Why the Location of your Solar Inverter & Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Meter Matters
Another important aspect to consider is where the current inverter is installed. Solar inverters are often stored in the loft or roof-space, or other times in a garage or utility room. Current guidelines recommend that batteries are installed in an accessible location with adequate ventilation, and as such, loft-spaces are to be avoided where possible. This means that your current inverter may need to be moved to a more appropriate location.
Another factor to consider is that solar batteries must be connected to the property NIE meter to be able to work properly, and so this needs to be taken into account when assessing suitable locations for the equipment installation.
At First Class Solar, we regularly help Northern Ireland property owners add battery storage to existing solar panel systems and the majority of our customers can be divided into three core groups:
- Solar on residential homes in Northern Ireland, installed after 31st March 2017.
- New-build homes in Northern Ireland where there is an existing solar PV system.
- Renewables Obligation Certificate systems (ROCs) in Northern Ireland.
Solar Panels on Residential Homes, installed from April 2017 Onwards & New-Build Homes with Existing Solar PV Systems
In most cases with these two scenarios, the most likely outcome is that the existing inverter will need to be updated to a hybrid inverter. Inverter lifespan typically ranges from 5-15 years, or even longer in some cases, so it’s important to assess what is most valuable to you as upgrading the inverter will lead to a higher installation cost. However, utilising the battery power and the Economy 7 Day/Night rate can lead to great savings across the years, particularly in the darker winter months in Northern Ireland.
In some cases, the property may already have a hybrid inverter and/or existing solar battery power, in which case, adding on further battery power is typically straightforward. Two things to consider are firstly; adding additional battery power means you will need to stick with a compatible battery – generally the same manufacturer and model of battery. Secondly, we will need to assess if there is enough space alongside your existing storage to add on another battery. In either case, your First Class Solar representative can guide you every step of the way to help you make the right decision.
Adding A Solar Battery to ROCs Solar Systems in Northern Ireland
Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROCs) systems are more complex and must be assessed on an individual basis. For any system receiving ROCs, the regulator “Ofgem” needs to be contacted and written approval gained before any sort of change can be made to the system. Without approval, any changes such as adding on panels, changing your inverter or adding on battery storage, can affect your ROCs payments.
No matter which category your home falls into, First Class Solar are here to guide and advise on what battery solution works best for your solar PV system.
All in all, First Class Solar are always available to provide advice, whether you’d just like to get more information, or if you want to make the jump to adding on battery storage for your existing solar PV system. Our experienced team can assist you with adding battery storage to your system whether it’s for a residential or a commercial property in Northern Ireland.
Get in touch with the First Class Solar team today:
- Email: info@firstclasssolar.co.uk
- Telephone: 02896 005042