How to benefit from integrated solar and energy storage

Why is solar storage important?

Solar storage is important because it allows solar energy to contribute to the electricity supply even when the sun isn’t shining. It also helps smooth out variations in solar energy flow on the grid, which are caused by changes in sunlight shining onto photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems.

Why is combining solar energy and storage beneficial?

The reason solar energy and storage technologies should be coupled is that solar energy is not always produced at the time energy is needed most. The AES Lawai Solar Project in Kauai, Hawaii demonstrates this, with a 100 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system paired with a solar photovoltaic system.

What are the benefits of energy storage?

One of the major benefits of energy storage for solar energy is the ability to control when power is exported to (or drawn from) the grid. Energy storage can store excess solar energy during the day and send it to the grid when needed, such as in the evening.

What is energy storage?

Energy storage is a system that can help more effectively integrate solar into the energy landscape. Sometimes it is co-located with, or placed next to, a solar energy system, and sometimes it stands alone.

Where can energy storage be placed?

Sometimes energy storage is co-located with, or placed next to, a solar energy system, and sometimes the storage system stands alone, but in either configuration, it can help more effectively integrate solar into the energy landscape.

How can energy storage help stabilize the electric grid?

Energy storage can help stabilize the electric grid as larger amounts of variable renewable energy resources like solar are deployed.\nSmall-scale solar coupled with storage can also power critical building loads during grid outages, enhancing community resilience.