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BPLightlog
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BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
December 4, 2022
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Storage Batteries - How do you manage your system over the winter months?

  • December 4, 2022
  • 19 replies
  • 615 views

I have seen that a number of users have storage batteries installed. Given that winter often brings minimal charging via solar PV and most batteries have a cut off level (Li-ion around 10%) how do you manage your system over the winter months?

I began by raising the lower threshold above 10% but have recently been charging overnight about once every week but we’re still trying to understand the best way to make use of and maintain it all. 

    Best answer by Simon1D

    Updated on 15/01/24 by Emmanuelle_OVO: 

    OVO’s grid balancing scheme Power Move is now available for all eligible customers!

     

     

     

    If you pay that same for overnight electricity as day time electricity you're wasting money by charging overnight. You lose at least 10% on the charge/discharge so it's only worth charging from the grid if you have a cheap rate.

    An occasional exception to this would be if you’re eligible for one of these peak usage-shifting schemes.

    (If Ovo don’t invite you to use theirs, Loop Energy is running one that’s open to all - albeit subject to them creaming off 20% and only paying you in Amaz*n vouchers, so not for me.)

    Well worth using your battery (I don’t have one) to shift that load: shifted units effectively cost minus £1.90 /kWh for someone on the standard capped tariff.

    Simon

    19 replies

    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    December 4, 2022

    We're on a fixed rate so there's no point charging the battery overnight. We just leave the system running the same way as in the summer, charging from any spare solar. We haven't had a full battery since early October but we usually manage to get some charge.

    Our minimum charge is 10% and that stays constant through the year.

    1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
      R
      Rank 2
      rodman
      Rank 2
      December 4, 2022

      I have seen that a number of users have storage batteries installed. Given that winter often brings minimal charging via solar PV and most batteries have a cut off level (Li-ion around 10%) how do you manage your system over the winter months?

      I began by raising the lower threshold above 10% but have recently been charging overnight about once every week but we’re still trying to understand the best way to make use of and maintain it all. 

      Hi, I assume your on a tarrife like Econamy 7 that gives you a cheaper night rate?

      To give an informed reply it would be good to know what capacity your storage batteries are? Secondly what are you using the energy from thos batteries to power?

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
      Super User
      December 4, 2022

      I have seen that a number of users have storage batteries installed. …

      Hi, To give an informed reply it would be good to know what capacity your storage batteries are? Secondly what are you using the energy from thos batteries to power?

      Hi @rodman I was simply interested in what others do but our batteries are now 9.6kWh and we only power the home .. no EV or other attachments. 
      Edit: we don’t have E7 or similar
       

      @M.isterW I found that if our system doesn’t charge for a day or so the system drops below 10% (starting from a low level)

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      R
      Rank 2
      rodman
      Rank 2
      December 4, 2022

      I have seen that a number of users have storage batteries installed. …

      Hi, To give an informed reply it would be good to know what capacity your storage batteries are? Secondly what are you using the energy from thos batteries to power?

      Hi @rodman I was simply interested in what others do but our batteries are now 9.6kWh and we only power the home .. no EV or other attachments. 
      Edit: we don’t have E7 or similar
       

      @M.isterW I found that if our system doesn’t charge for a day or so the system drops below 10% (starting from a low level)

      Hi, MisterW above has given you the best answer.

      M.isterW
      Rank 6
      M.isterW
      Rank 6
      December 4, 2022

      If you pay that same for overnight electricity as day time electricity you're wasting money by charging overnight. You lose at least 10% on the charge/discharge so it's only worth charging from the grid if you have a cheap rate.

      1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
      Super User
      December 4, 2022

      If you pay that same for overnight electricity as day time electricity you're wasting money by charging overnight. You lose at least 10% on the charge/discharge so it's only worth charging from the grid if you have a cheap rate.

      Hence my question. My batteries drop to 9 or 8% if I leave things as in summer and don’t charge from the grid as winter doesn’t charge enough .. unless I change the lower discharge level to 11 or 12%

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      M.isterW
      Rank 6
      M.isterW
      Rank 6
      December 4, 2022

      Don't you get any charge in winter?

       

      Our inverter keeps the batteries at around 10 or 11%. It normally discharges and charges a tiny amount each day just to keep the battery at around 10%. Maybe you need to check your inverter settings.

      1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
      Super User
      December 4, 2022

      Don't you get any charge in winter?

       

      Our inverter keeps the batteries at around 10 or 11%. It normally discharges and charges a tiny amount each day just to keep the battery at around 10%. Maybe you need to check your inverter settings.

      Not much. 
      The inverter is fine and if critical will initiate a charge from the grid but as I said to begin with, I wondered what others do. 
      If your inverter manages things, that suggests that it does top up when needed

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      S
      Rank 2
      Simon1DSolved
      Rank 2
      December 4, 2022

      Updated on 15/01/24 by Emmanuelle_OVO: 

      OVO’s grid balancing scheme Power Move is now available for all eligible customers!

       

       

       

      If you pay that same for overnight electricity as day time electricity you're wasting money by charging overnight. You lose at least 10% on the charge/discharge so it's only worth charging from the grid if you have a cheap rate.

      An occasional exception to this would be if you’re eligible for one of these peak usage-shifting schemes.

      (If Ovo don’t invite you to use theirs, Loop Energy is running one that’s open to all - albeit subject to them creaming off 20% and only paying you in Amaz*n vouchers, so not for me.)

      Well worth using your battery (I don’t have one) to shift that load: shifted units effectively cost minus £1.90 /kWh for someone on the standard capped tariff.

      Simon

      Simon
        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
        Super User
        December 4, 2022

        If you pay that same for overnight electricity as day time electricity you're wasting money by charging overnight. You lose at least 10% on the charge/discharge so it's only worth charging from the grid if you have a cheap rate.

        An occasional exception to this would be if you’re eligible for one of these peak usage-shifting schemes.

        (If Ovo don’t invite you to use theirs, Loop Energy is running one that’s open to all - albeit subject to them creaming off 20% and only paying you in Amaz*n vouchers, so not for me.)

        Well worth using your battery (I don’t have one) to shift that load: shifted units effectively cost minus £1.90 /kWh for someone on the standard capped tariff.

        Simon

        Yes thanks @Simon1D   I’m using the Hugo version so do this.  They only ask for 25% reduction and the reward is cash .. although I’m not sure if there’s any payout until the end of the event

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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