How can you finance and incentivize energy storage systems for homeowners, businesses, and governments?

Solution providers and financial instutions are already turning this into an 'as a service' proposition. We didn't pay upfront for our system, it was interest free financed by the provider. Sunsave in UK has just received financial authority approval for a subscription based service. Others are offering the solutions build into new 'zero energy bill' homes. The issue of financing for those who qualify is easily addressed, as the savings pay for the cost. The bigger issue is for the customers who need the benefit but don't have credit rating, confidence or ability to engage at all. Those need a supported, socially led approach to help avoid an energy technology divide opening up.

Las tecnologías de almacenamiento son aún costosas, pero estas puede ayudar enormemente a la confiabilidad y seguridad energética de nuestros sistemas eléctricos, por ello, es importante que se den normativas claras que permitan su desarrollo y al mismo tiempo la recuperación de las inversiones, mecanismos pueden haber muchos, lo importante es avanzar con algo.

Definitely subsidies and incentive schemes have been a useful way to create and generate mass markets. 20 years ago there was not large subsidise free market for solar panels. After some incentive schemes in Europe (Feed in Tariff) or USA (Tax credits) the price of components dropped and now we can enjoy an "almost" subsidy free market. For Storage and batteries we are transitioning from the first phase to the second. Although many clients apply for the solution without subsidies, capital upfront costs make it available to a small part of the market. Some incentives in the USA are e.g. is the federal investment tax credit (ITC). As of 2023 all residential storage systems over 3(kWh) are eligible for the ITC due to Inflation Reduction Act

Financing an energy storage product can make sense in some cases. First we have to remind that the battery itself is an investment, you can apply for tax rebates and tax credits that are itself a way of saving. After considering that it is important to add the amount of energy you are saving by using the battery and the reduction in your electricity billings. Once you pondered the latter if there is not enough liquidity to pay the storage system I would ask your dealer or installer for some financing lines. Finally check the financing market. Some utilities have agreements with banks to provide special lines (Edp-Caixa) Also some public institutions as in Victoria Australia offer interest free loans up to 8800AU$. Check your local options

PPA's are becoming one of the main drivers of battery techs. A trending comment about PPA's are the so called "night PPAs". meaning that a renewable solar facility with batteries attached can provide electricity at "non solar" hours. Thus the PPA purchaser will be able to receive clean KWh also at night at a previously specified price and conditions. So batteries offer a new perspective to PPAs and allow to compete at other hours of the day, specially at peak demand evening hours 20-23:00 when demand goes up and so do prices. It is important to have a thorough assessment of the amount of KWh that can be delivered, the price and issues such as battery lifetime. Also worth reminding that most batteries can't supply over 4 hours of time.

Tax credits in the USA have been a great success. They have been in force since 2006 and still are booming under the Inflation Reduction Act. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income taxes that a person or company would otherwise pay the federal government. The ITC is based on the amount of investment in solar property.Commercial taxpayers may now also choose a Production Tax Credit (PTC) for solar instead of an ITC. The PTC rate is 1.5 cents (adjusted for inflation, it is presently 2.6 cents). According to IRS, batteries are eligible for the solar tax credit: Storage batteries. (You can claim the tax credit for these even if you buy and install them a year or more after you install the pv system. At least 3 kilowatts.)

Los almacenamiento de energía pueden ayudar sustancialmente en momentos de máxima demanda, poder usar energía eléctrica horas después de la que se produce, en horas punta, es contribuir positivamente con el medio ambiente y con la economía, por ello, es importante que se incorporen planes y evaluar opciones, no siempre el generador debe llevar la responsabilidad de la seguridad energética, podría darse de otras formas también.

Exíste una gran oportunidad para las industrias en implementar sistemas de almacenamiento de energía, no solo para evitar las tarifas de hora punta, sino también para tener mejor calidad de energía. El almacenamiento de energía permite reacción inmediata al sistema eléctrico interno de una industria y para ello se podrían dise?ar servicios de almacenamiento.