A recent study found that the sunniest place on earth is on a large plain near the Andes Mountains in Chile. There, the plateau can see as much sun as Venus. Even on average, the solar irradiance on the plateau is around 308 watts per square meter. However, whether someone lives in Chile or Chichester, they are likely increasingly looking to the skies as a source of power as traditional fossil fuels continue to be phased out. Whilst solar has been a viable power source for some time, it has only gathered momentum in the past decade.
The growth in solar has been buoyed by the decreasing costs of solar installations, a multitude of government led incentives, and increasing awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy. Plus, there has been the advancements in battery technology.
Battery improvements
Battery technology continues to improve rapidly. One of the key areas where battery technology has evolved is in energy density. Modern lithium-ion batteries have far better energy density than in the past, allowing for longer-lasting batteries in smaller, lighter packages. Another key area of improvement has been in charging speed. Innovations in battery chemistry and thermal management are enabling much faster charging times. In fact, some new technologies allow batteries to reach 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes.
In addition, modern solar batteries have a longer lifespan, are more resistant to degradation, are safer, and often have in-built smart battery management systems (BMS) that can monitor battery health, optimise charging and discharging cycles, and predict potential failures.
A timely enhancement
Enhancements in battery technology is timely. Increasingly volatile extreme weather patterns, data centres required to power the new era of artificial intelligence, population increases in urban areas, and the popularity of electric vehicles are all putting more load on the power grid than ever before.
Not only are enhanced battery technologies being integrated into the grid to store energy from renewable sources such as solar to smooth out supply fluctuations, but those being used in commercial solar power systems allow users to store solar energy for use at night or push excess energy back to the grid. This is helping to level off the grid and mitigate the threat of outages.
Maximising effectiveness
Whether you get 12 hours of sunlight a day or 12 minutes, maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of the solar energy system is imperative. The first key aspect of solar optimisation is to ensure that the angle and direction of the solar panels are adjusted to capture the most sunlight. Then, make sure to use advanced photovoltaic technology to increase the conversion rate of sunlight to electricity. Plus, clean the panels regularly to remove dirt and debris that would otherwise reduce their efficiency.
The latest technology can then be used to monitor and track the performance of solar systems in real time. Plus, there is the aforementioned BMS that can store excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours so it can be used during cloudy periods or at night. Of course, the increased proliferation of smart meters is also helping to enhance the effectiveness and management of solar power systems. By utilising the real-time data on both the energy produced and energy consumed, a business can better understand usage patterns and adjust accordingly to optimise their solar systems.
Building an energy community
Solar power is instrumental to building a greener future for us all. However, an important component to ensure effective solar optimisation is the energy industry itself. Whilst government incentives are welcome, it is also important that suppliers reward customers who embark upon a journey towards a renewable future. Energy suppliers need to do all they can to encourage end users to use their batteries effectively so that any excess energy produced can find its way back to the grid.
It is important that we work together to build a renewable energy community for all. After all, it is a win, win. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, the more that end user businesses can help with energy production, the more consistent energy supply will be. This means suppliers – and in turn the businesses themselves – will not be as exposed to higher prices.
