Technical Report; Half-Hourly Data in Relation to Solar Installations and Battery Sizing

Abstract

This technical report investigates the relationship between Half-Hourly (HH) data and its impact on solar installations and battery sizing. The report highlights various strategies for leveraging HH data to optimize solar PV system design and battery capacities. Moreover, it underscores the benefits of these practices, such as improved system performance, energy efficiency, and better financial returns on investment.

Introduction

The ever-growing focus on renewable sources of energy has spurred the widespread adoption of solar systems worldwide. One critical aspect of the design and implementation of solar systems is determining the right PV size and the precise battery storage capacity. Accurate sizing holds the key to better performance, efficient storage management, and minimum energy wastage.

HH data offers detailed energy consumption information, recording electrical consumption in half-hour intervals over a 24-hour period. Technical analysis of this data assists in designing a solar system to align more closely with consumption patterns. Consequently, these insights lead to a balanced system performance, avoiding battery undersizing or oversizing, and ensuring an increased return on investment.

Methodology

1. Analyze Half-Hourly Data: Obtain the HH data from the customer's on-site meter or utility provider. Assess energy consumption patterns, noting peak periods and identifying the energy demand throughout the year.
2. Optimize Solar Installation Sizing: Based on the energy consumption pattern, design a solar installation that can cater to peak demand periods and balance excess solar generation. Consider adjusting the solar array size or panel orientation to capture more sunlight during peak consumption times.
3. Battery Sizing: Determine the appropriate battery capacity to minimize waste, maximize system efficiency, and reduce grid dependency. By comparing the solar production and consumption during different time intervals, calculate the surplus solar energy that should be stored in the battery system for later use.
4. Demand Response: Assess the customer's consumption during peak demand hours and devise strategies to shift energy use to off-peak hours or tap into stored battery energy to alleviate peak demand pressure on the grid.
5. Simulating System Performance: Using specific software tools like PVSol, simulate the solar PV system's performance by overlaying the HH data with solar output patterns over the entire year. This simulation provides a comprehensive understanding of energy consumption and generation patterns, facilitating further optimization.

Results and Benefits

By effectively utilizing HH data for solar installation and battery sizing, the following benefits can be achieved:

1. Optimized System Performance: A well-balanced solar installation caters to high consumption periods while ensuring excess generation is minimal. Overall, this design helps align the solar panels' output with consumption, reducing energy wastage and leading to better system performance.
2. Energy Efficiency: Properly sized batteries store excess solar energy for periods of high energy demand or low solar generation. Using HH data for sizing also ensures batteries neither go undercharged nor overcharged, prolonging their lifespan and enhancing system efficiency.
3. Reduced Energy Costs: Efficiently meeting the customer's energy demands with solar generation helps minimize grid dependency and lower energy costs. A well-sized battery system further reduces grid energy reliance.
4. Higher Return on Investment (ROI): Properly designed and sized solar installations and battery systems maximize energy efficiency, enhance performance, and minimize energy costs, ultimately leading to a better return on investment for the end-users.

Conclusion

Insightful examination of Half-Hourly (HH) data plays a decisive role in accurately sizing solar installations and battery storage systems. By leveraging this granular data throughout the planning, implementation, and optimization processes, stakeholders can attain higher efficiency levels, maximize system performance, and achieve enhanced financial returns on their investment. The broader adoption of the HH data analysis methodology holds the key to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

MBC Renewables Ltd work with consumers, installers, EPCs and investors to deliver profitable renewable energy assets. For more information visit www.mbcrenewables.com