The development of cost-effective battery storage can turn the variability of solar energy into a benefit, according to a new report from the Solar Trade Association (STA).
The Aurora Energy Research report said batteries can move power from when it is generated to where it is most needed for better matching of electricity demand.
It said this is done more economically using solar than would be the case with an equivalent baseload power output profile.
The report estimated that a high battery penetration together with high solar penetration reduces variability costs by £10/MWh to result in a benefit of £3.70/MWh.
“This reflects the fact that solar combined with batteries allows output to match demand requirements and requires only a very small amount of back up,” STA said.
The report examines the potential costs of solar variability under a variety of conditions.
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Solar set to reap battery benefits
STA report outlines impact on variability costs in PV market
By EBS