In This Article:

- How creating a Strategic Energy-Storage Portfolio could accelerate renewable energy adoption 

- Tags: Renewable Energy, Distributed Storage       

With the abundance energy provided  by our sun, solar energy it is a logical choice for a clean source of energy. Photovoltaics (PV) or just simply solar cells are the converter between solar radiation and useful electricity. While solar panel installations have been (and still are) subsidized by various states, the widespread adoption is still somewhat slow. The reasons are, at least, two fold; (1) the price of PV produced energy is above that of typical large-scale coal or nuclear power plants, and (2) the time to install a solar-system on your houses' roof is somewhat long, about one year. Here the DOE recently has stepped in towards decreasing this time to install a PC system via sponsoring strategic programs. But how about the high cost for PV energy, i.e. $/kW-hr? 

Distributed Solar Energy Storage

One idea to make PV installations for homeowners more lucrative would be to add a small energy storage unit to the household. Why? Because the peak energy production from a solar cell system happens around noon when the sun is at its highest point delivering the greatest amount of energy per square feet. So much for the supply side. However on the demand side, the highest energy consumption has two peaks during the day: morning and late afternoon. Thus, the offset from peak supply and demand creates underutilized rooftop solar systems. Here, the argument for a distributed storage unit on cite is made, which helps to bridge this time gap. 

Towards incentivizing distributed renewable energy installations on-site storage options could be the key. But which storage solution should be linked to which renewable source? Towards this end a strategic Energy-Storage Portfolio could provide  a guide for state commissions, consumers and researchers alike (see left). Here, a best-match between a renewable energy and storage option is found. In particular critical bottlenecks should identified via analyzing technological challenges, like conversion efficiency and battery retention times,  societal feasibility and environmental impact. 

A changing Grid

Nothing lasts forever, and even with a turtle-speed changing entity like the electricity power grid, change will come eventually. And change is happening right now faster than ever. With smart metering becoming a reality and the and the option for feed-in tariffs, there might be even a business opportunity for PV homeowners towards breaking-even from the PV installation faster and making a profit past that point. A storage unit connected to the PV system eliminates this problem and will bring societal adoption through increased independence and incentivizing raised profits.

In conclusion, within the trend of rising energy costs distributed energy storage systems could be a key towards creating a pull-effect on stimulating PV and other renewable energy production installations.