AC coupled flexible storage solution, the answer to residential energy storage

Residential energy storage is positioned to be the next big solar trend.  At 70% growth rate every quarter since the beginning of 2018, it doesn’t appear that the train will slow down anytime soon. The aim that solar-plus-storage gives flexibility permits energy to be harvested at a time that provides the most economical opportunity. Utility-scale products supports grid functions (ie; frequency response, deferral of transmission and distribution system upgrades). Commercial storage is mainly exercised to offset peak demand charges. In the past, residential storage wasn’t an issue since utilities supply full scale retail net metering. However, its undergoing a surge of interest since more utilities adjust policies or include restrictions on PV systems in their service location.

The devil is in the solar details 

To increase economical benefits of residential storage, it must be designed with flexibility. The economical aspects are hazy compared to utility or commercial systems. Grid-tied storage design is different to off-grid design. Off-grid solar-plus-storage systems are tailored to cover a system energy capacity for a few days. It’s evaluated by the peak load demand. If the system is DC coupled (in which solar and storage are DC inputs to the same inverter) it has to accommodate peak load demand and peak solar production. AC coupling (when solar production is transmitted as AC power from the PV inverter to the loads panel powered by the battery inverter) allows the PV inverter and battery inverter sizing to be decoupled. The PV inverter is customized to the peak solar production, and the battery inverter is sized to the peak net load demand. Although AC coupling gives flexibility for off-grid systems, the design is based on the system usage. The flexibility is more advantageous for those who want to add storage into their grid-tied systems. It makes a more realistic payback period. The value is measured on daily energy usage and utility rate structure. DC coupled systems for grid-tied storage has its advantages. Installing a DC coupled only utilizes one inverter decreasing installation cost and space. 

Introducing the flexible storage solutions

AC coupled systems known as “Flexible Storage Solutions,” allow the PV system size and storage system size to be standalone. This system could be installed without PV, or retrofitted into a various PV systems. The economical aspects are impacted by different ratios of PV power to storage power, energy storage of a customer’s location, usage and utility. This is the ideal way to fulfill optimal design. The majority of utilities’ rate structures and fluid requirements translates to clients seeking to maximize their return-on-investment when considering solar-plus-storage systems that provides flexibility The AC coupled, Flexible Storage Solution system allows a range of choices for optimal design and performance.

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