Background on solar energy storage technology

What are the main solar energy storage technologies?

SINOVOLTAICS introduces and explain the basics of the main solar energy storage technologies, including batteries, pumped hydro and flywheels.

What is solar storage and how does it work?

Solar storage is a system that stores excess electricity produced by solar panels for later use. It works by converting the excess electricity into a form that can be stored, such as chemical energy in batteries. This stored energy can then be used whenever needed, including after the sun has set, acting as an insurance policy for sunshine.

Why is solar thermal energy storage important?

For regions with an abundance of solar energy, solar thermal energy storage technology offers tremendous potential for ensuring energy security, minimizing carbon footprints, and reaching sustainable development goals. Global energy demand soared because of the economy’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

What storage technologies can be combined with solar PV systems?

Apart from the above four storage technologies, there are many more that can be combined with solar PV systems to store excess capacity electricity, such as thermal energy storage (TES) systems, ultra batteries and supercapacitators, to name a few.

When can stored solar energy be used?

When some of the electricity produced by the sun is put into storage, that electricity can be used whenever grid operators need it, including after the sun has set. In this way, storage acts as an insurance policy for sunshine.

Can energy storage systems reduce the cost and optimisation of photovoltaics?

The cost and optimisation of PV can be reduced with the integration of load management and energy storage systems. This review paper sets out the range of energy storage options for photovoltaics including both electrical and thermal energy storage systems.