Summary of SolaSave solutions

7.1 DC solutions (retrofit)

Growatt:

  • 2.7kWh Lithium-ion, 1kW DC/DC converter
  • 4.9kWh Lithium-ion, 2kW DC/DC converter
  • 4.9kWh Lithium-ion, 3kW ‘dual’ tracking DC/DC converter (available Autumn 2016)

Goodwe:

  • 2.0kWh Lithium-ion, 2.5kW DC/DC converter

These are intended for DC retrofit and require a separate (existing) PV inverter. Although we recommend an AC solution (see below) for retrofit, the above options are a very popular choice as they offer a competitive option for Lithium-ion. To be considered only if the PV installation is suitable and you are on a low feed-in-tariff.

7.2 DC solutions (new PV installs)

Goodwe:

  • 2.0kWh Lithium-ion, 3.6kW hybrid inverter
  • 4.0kWh Lithium-ion, 3.6kW hybrid inverter
  • 5.8kWh Lithium-ion, 3.6kW hybrid inverter

7.3 AC solutions (retrofit & new PV installs)

PowerVault:

  • 3.0kWh Lead-acid, 800W battery inverter
  • 4.0kWh Lead-acid, 800W battery inverter
  • 2.0kWh Lithium-ion, 800W battery inverter
  • 4.0kWh Lithium-ion, 800W battery inverter
  • 6.0kWh Lithium-ion, 800W battery inverter

SMA/Tesla

  • 6.4kWh Lithium-ion, 2.5kW battery inverter (available Autumn 2016)

7.4 Choosing a battery system to match your PV

SolaSave will be happy to conduct a site survey, discuss your load profile and existing/new solar PV installation and advise on a suitable battery storage solution for you. As a very rough guide, the table below will show you at a glance what size system may suit your PV system depending on your relative load profile: - 

Choosing a battery system existing PV
Table 2 – Choosing a battery system for existing PV (rough)

Load profiles:-

Low                         -               House generally empty during the day, minimum appliances running
Medium                 -               Retired couple, moderate use of TV, laptop computer during the day
High                        -               Working from home all day, computers and other appliances in regular use

Note, this is for retrofit AC coupled batteries, for a retrofit DC on a dual PV inverter; select according to the size of the largest string (refer to Figure 8 above and accompanying notes).