A day in the life of a smart solar and storage system
Smart solar power and battery storage systems are designed to work intelligently throughout the day to optimise energy use and support the electricity grid. However, it can be hard for the average person to understand or visualise the impact that these systems can have on their business’s energy usage.
This is why Wewise has created an example of how their smart solar and storage systems can operate over the course of a day to maximise efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability for your business.
Overnight: Battery Charging Up When Prices are Low
During the night and early morning hours, when electricity prices are low, this is when the battery charges up. This “off-peak” charging ensures the battery is ready to provide power when it’s needed most and costs the most to extract from the grid. At this time, while your system might not be producing solar power, the battery is quietly preparing to be of service later in the day.
12 am - 6 am: Supporting the Grid Overnight
Around midnight to early morning, your battery helps stabilise the grid by participating in what’s called the Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR) service. This means the battery charges and discharges slightly in response to grid needs, earning payments for its availability and actual service. It’s like being on standby, ready to help keep the electricity supply steady. Then, when the energy market opens during the day, your battery is ready to provide further grid support. However, if the service isn’t required immediately, your battery will hold steady without using up its charge.
8 am - 5 pm: Soaking up the Sun
Morning to afternoon is when your solar panels will generate the most power, peaking around midday. This solar energy charges the battery to full capacity while also supplying your site’s electricity needs, reducing your reliance on the grid and saving you money on your electricity bill. It is worth noting that energy yields can change depending on the time of year and the amount of sunlight seen each day. However, even the greyest day will yield usable results.
5 pm - 7 pm: Evening Peak and Grid Support
As the day turns to evening, energy demand rises, and the grid may call on the battery to discharge a portion of its power during these peak moments. This call helps to balance supply and demand on the grid, while also earning your business service payments, as the grid will pay you for the energy you created and stored during the day. This is how smart solar and storage can become an additional source of income for your business, on top of the savings it provides.
7 pm - 11 pm: Powering the Site at Night
Later in the evening, during the highest demand and price periods, the battery uses most of its remaining charge to power your site itself. This reduces electricity costs by avoiding expensive grid power while supporting a more sustainable energy system. The process then repeats the next day.
Wewise smart solar and storage systems are a great example of how solar technology can work dynamically, charging when energy is cheap or plentiful, supporting the grid's stability, and providing reliable power when it’s most needed. Regardless of the level of sun over the course of the day, your system is always creating energy and powering your site at a reduced cost to purely relying on the grid.
Not only does a bespoke smart solar and storage system from Wewsie help your business to save money, but it also plays an important role in creating a greener, smarter energy future.