Understanding PV battery
Understanding PV battery
A PV battery stores electrical energy, enhances the use of onsite PV power generation and maximizes the flexibility of the use of self-generated solar energy. For battery systems, an investment decision can be made based on the battery capacity (kWh), the self-consumption and the self-sufficiency.
A PV battery stores electrical energy, enhances the use of onsite PV power generation and maximizes the flexibility of the use of self-generated solar energy. For battery systems, an investment decision can be made based on the battery capacity (kWh), the self-consumption and the self-sufficiency.
Aim of PV battery calculation
The main result of this calculcation is the storage capability of the PV battery system in kilowatt-hours (kWh), enhancing self-consumption and self-sufficiency of electricity produced by the PV modules. Taking into account electricity costs from grid supply and feed-in tariffs allows for evaluating the individual investment return on investment (ROI).
The main result of this calculcation is the storage capability of the PV battery system in kilowatt-hours (kWh), enhancing self-consumption and self-sufficiency of electricity produced by the PV modules. Taking into account electricity costs from grid supply and feed-in tariffs allows for evaluating the individual investment return on investment (ROI).
Photovoltaic Battery Calculation
Find out the size (capacity) and costs of your PV battery storage to make an informed decision about your individual investment.
Find out the size (capacity) and costs of your PV battery storage to make an informed decision about your individual investment.
About PV battery calculation
Nominal PV power (kWpeak):
The nominal photovoltaic (PV) power, often referred to as kilowatts peak (kWp), is a metric for measuring the performance of solar panel systems. This metric indicates the maximum power output that the system or an individual panel can produce under ideal conditions. Essentially, kWp provides a standard for comparing the energy-generating potential of different solar installations.
Inclination PV modules (°):
Inclination of PV modules refers to the angle at which solar panels are tilted or oriented with respect to the horizontal plane. The inclination angle plays a crucial role in optimizing the efficiency of solar panels by maximizing sunlight exposure throughout the day. Adjusting the inclination of PV modules can help increase energy production by ensuring that the panels receive sunlight at an optimal angle.
Orientation / Azimuth PV modules (°):
The Orientation / Azimuth of PV modules refers to the direction solar panels face for optimal energy generation. It is typically south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere. Azimuth indicates the angle deviation from true north (N-0,O-90,S-180,W-270).
Annual electricity demand (kWh):
The annual electricity demand of a building is the total amount of electrical energy consumed by the building over the course of a year. It includes the electrical energy used for lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, electronics, and other electrical equipment within the building. The electricity demand can vary significantly depending on the size of the building, its usage patterns, and energy efficiency measures implemented.
Electricity price grid consumption (cent/kWh):
In a country like Germany, household electricity prices can include generation, transmission, distribution costs, taxes, levies, surcharges, and network charges. These factors contribute to the overall cost of electricity consumed from the grid for households.
Electricity price grid feed-in (cent/kWh):
In Germany, the electricity price for grid feed-in has been a cornerstone of the country's Energiewende (energy transition), which aims to shift from fossil fuels and nuclear power towards renewable energy sources. The system that has supported this transition is known as the feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme. Under this scheme, renewable energy producers—ranging from individual homeowners with solar panels to large wind farms—are guaranteed a fixed price for the electricity they generate and feed into the national grid over a set period, typically 20 years.
The current feed-in tariff information is available on the website netztransparenz.de.
Investment cost of battery storage (Euro/kWh):
The investment costs for battery storage systems, particularly when integrated with photovoltaic (PV) systems, range from 500 to 1200 EUR/kWh. These costs are also influenced by the costs associated with PV systems and the levels of solar irradiation in a given location. (Fraunhofer ISE)
Location:
For the computation, currently the location is configured for Leipzig, Germany; upcoming versions of this module will include additional locations.
Simulation method:
The simuation method of the PV modules is powered by pvlib.
At present, the calculation includes an hourly electricity usage pattern based on DIN EN 16798 for residential buildings; upcoming versions of this module will include additional usage patterns.
Nominal PV power (kWpeak):
The nominal photovoltaic (PV) power, often referred to as kilowatts peak (kWp), is a metric for measuring the performance of solar panel systems. This metric indicates the maximum power output that the system or an individual panel can produce under ideal conditions. Essentially, kWp provides a standard for comparing the energy-generating potential of different solar installations.
Inclination PV modules (°):
Inclination of PV modules refers to the angle at which solar panels are tilted or oriented with respect to the horizontal plane. The inclination angle plays a crucial role in optimizing the efficiency of solar panels by maximizing sunlight exposure throughout the day. Adjusting the inclination of PV modules can help increase energy production by ensuring that the panels receive sunlight at an optimal angle.
Orientation / Azimuth PV modules (°):
The Orientation / Azimuth of PV modules refers to the direction solar panels face for optimal energy generation. It is typically south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere. Azimuth indicates the angle deviation from true north (N-0,O-90,S-180,W-270).
Annual electricity demand (kWh):
The annual electricity demand of a building is the total amount of electrical energy consumed by the building over the course of a year. It includes the electrical energy used for lighting, heating, cooling, appliances, electronics, and other electrical equipment within the building. The electricity demand can vary significantly depending on the size of the building, its usage patterns, and energy efficiency measures implemented.
Electricity price grid consumption (cent/kWh):
In a country like Germany, household electricity prices can include generation, transmission, distribution costs, taxes, levies, surcharges, and network charges. These factors contribute to the overall cost of electricity consumed from the grid for households.
Electricity price grid feed-in (cent/kWh):
In Germany, the electricity price for grid feed-in has been a cornerstone of the country's Energiewende (energy transition), which aims to shift from fossil fuels and nuclear power towards renewable energy sources. The system that has supported this transition is known as the feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme. Under this scheme, renewable energy producers—ranging from individual homeowners with solar panels to large wind farms—are guaranteed a fixed price for the electricity they generate and feed into the national grid over a set period, typically 20 years.
The current feed-in tariff information is available on the website netztransparenz.de.
Investment cost of battery storage (Euro/kWh):
The investment costs for battery storage systems, particularly when integrated with photovoltaic (PV) systems, range from 500 to 1200 EUR/kWh. These costs are also influenced by the costs associated with PV systems and the levels of solar irradiation in a given location. (Fraunhofer ISE)
Location:
For the computation, currently the location is configured for Leipzig, Germany; upcoming versions of this module will include additional locations.
Simulation method:
The simuation method of the PV modules is powered by pvlib.
At present, the calculation includes an hourly electricity usage pattern based on DIN EN 16798 for residential buildings; upcoming versions of this module will include additional usage patterns.