Innovation : Solar and Storage
Storage technology brings holy grail for household and business energy
Storage technology will drive strong demand for photovoltaic-generated electricity as householders seek to reduce costs by lessening reliance on the grid while protecting the environment . Consumers can now generate electricity during daylight hours for use in the evening and overnight . Done well , this is the Holy Grail of household energy . A November 2016 study by EuPD Research found 70 per cent of UK homeowners were unaware of PV storage solutions . This presents a huge opportunity for installers to educate and support their customers on improving household energy self-reliance and efficiency .
High performance SOLARWATT ( www . solarwatt . net ), the German manufacturer of highperformance dual-glass solar PV panels and energy storage systems , has been building a UK and Ireland distribution network , partnering with expert distributors and installers . By integrating components of the highest quality and most advanced technology , SOLARWATT aims to reshape the market by providing households and small firms with PV + storage packages that are optimised for long-term electricity production , maximising self-consumption . SOLARWATT is Europe ’ s most experienced manufacturer of dual-glass modules . The development of MyReserve batteries has been led by some of Europe ’ s foremost lithium-ion battery experts . All components are manufactured at the company ’ s factories in Germany . Having adapted its business model in 2012 , SOLARWATT is focused on applying industry-leading knowledge to produce complete solutions bringing energy independence to homes and small firms .
The energy storage future is here SOLARWATT MyReserve is a DC-coupled storage system fully usable for new installations and retrofit , designed to keep PV energy in the home . The battery
12 | www . renewableenergyinstaller . co . uk
Above : The MyReserve battery storage system which received the renowned EES Award for energy storage innovation at Intersolar 2015 and top brand PV Storage 2017 by EUPD
is based on lithium-ion technology and installed on the DC side directly between the PV modules and the inverter . With its unique power electronics , this produces an extremely high efficiency rate of 96 per cent at best point . MyReserve is compatible with all common PV inverters so can be integrated into existing systems with no additional conversion costs . Compact construction and modular design make for fast , easy installation by one person as the maximum weight of any component is under 25KG .
SOLARWATT ’ s package components to generate , store and manage energy :
• SOLARWATT long-life dual-glass PV modules ;
• MyReserve , the safest and most efficient energy storage system , in combination with the most accurate , high-precision AC sensor ;
• Energy Manager , an intelligent software system that optimises self-consumption and serves as a smart hub .
All raw materials and components have been chosen specifically by SOLARWATT experts for maximum efficiency and safety .
High speed = high self-consumption High speed results in more use of selfproduced energy from the solar panels . SOLARWATT developed a fast AC sensor to detect and measure current , voltage and frequency changes in all three phases . Built-in 3x168MHz single-core processors enable the system to respond within 0.7 seconds . This is important as appliances such as coffee machines and induction cookers are constantly switching on and off . A storage system must react fast to prevent electricity requirements being met too late or not at all , which would decrease self-consumption .
Safety and security the key to storage Li-ion batteries are exceptionally powerful and their safe operation comes from vast research and development knowhow . Safety has been foremost at every development stage . SOLARWATT experts who developed this technology are authorities in their own right . Previously , they led the creation of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Safety Guidelines for Li-ion , since adopted industry-wide . Data security is a growing challenge . MyReserve is cyber-safe , preventing unauthorised changing of battery management system settings .
One single reliable source As all components come from SOLARWATT , installers and distributors can turn to one source for both purchase and support , with complete confidence . Installation and design partners will benefit from training and certification , marketing and communication support and SOLARWATT branding to ensure they are equipped to deliver the best possible options . So , do want the most efficient solar + storage system , or the safest ? Face it – you want both .
In association with
Case Studies
BIOMASS
What: An energy
generating hydro
screw installed at a
UK marina
How: 25 tonne
Archimedes screw
driven by generator
Result: Screw set to
produce 2,000kwh
every 24 hours
Hydro energy supports carbon neutral marinas
With the completion of a green energy
generating hydro screw in Sonning,
Berkshire, Pridewater Estates has become
the UK’s first completely carbon neutral
marina and caravan site organisation.
Pridewater Estates Ltd owns and operates
four canal marinas and caravan sites from
Leighton Buzzard in the south, to New Mills
in Derbyshire’s High Peak, with others near
Lichfield, and Tamworth.
The company makes use of solar panels
and were looking to see how far they
could go to cancel out their environmental
impact completely. The answer came in
the form of a highly efficient hydroelectric
scheme – an Archimedes screw.
While not feasible to install a hydro screw
at each marina location, the idea came
to build one screw which would produce
enough energy to not only offset all four
marinas but also provide a surplus which
could be fed back into the National Grid.
Pridewater acquired a site to construct
the hydro screw in the Thames-side town
of Sonning, Berkshire. The design and
WSHP
What: 50kWp Solar
array installed at the
National Library
of Wales
build was conducted by experienced civil
engineering contractors Greenford Ltd
who have been responsible for several
other notable Archimedes screw projects.
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