Skip to main content
BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
December 4, 2022
Solved

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

    Show previous replies
    juliamc
    Rank 20
    juliamc
    Rank 20
    December 4, 2022

    Also you could charge up when the grid is running on wind power then use it when it’s a high carbon time. All you get is a warm feeling no cash benefit, but that’s something!

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
      Super User
      December 4, 2022

      I have been testing things out as you might have seen @juliamc 😁

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        juliamc
        Rank 20
        juliamc
        Rank 20
        November 3, 2023

        Rooky question as I still am in the process of deciding what to get pv and battery-wise: How can you get the battery to charge during low cost periods, then discharge at peak cost periods? Is this something that can be programmed into the system ? Does it depend on whatever app or inverter you have ?

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
        Super User
        November 3, 2023

        Rooky question as I still am in the process of deciding what to get pv and battery-wise: How can you get the battery to charge during low cost periods, then discharge at peak cost periods? Is this something that can be programmed into the system ? Does it depend on whatever app or inverter you have ?

        Yes, my inverter (LuxPower) has settings which can automatically charge either at set times or at the lowest cost times (if you use a ToU tariff).

        Since I started a month or so ago, my stats tell me that I’ve saved 45% compared to a standard tariff and these are always the greenest slots too

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          juliamc
          Rank 20
          juliamc
          Rank 20
          November 3, 2023

          That sounds perfect. How about switching to use the battery during peak hours rather than draw from the grid ? Can that be programmed in ?

           I’m wondering if solar is really going to make much of a dent in my electricity bill as most of the heat pump usage is in the winter months when the solar is a bit pathetic. Battery storage seems a better bet.

            BPLightlog
            Super User
            BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
            Super User
            November 3, 2023

            That sounds perfect. How about switching to use the battery during peak hours rather than draw from the grid ? Can that be programmed in ?

             I’m wondering if solar is really going to make much of a dent in my electricity bill as most of the heat pump usage is in the winter months when the solar is a bit pathetic. Battery storage seems a better bet.

            Battery certainly makes better use of solar. 
            You can usually programme the inverter to feed the property (which should include the heat pump) before anything else and you can set ‘Charge Priority’ if you don’t want the battery to discharge at certain times which would ‘save’ its energy for peak if that’s what you want

            Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
              juliamc
              Rank 20
              juliamc
              Rank 20
              November 3, 2023

              Thanks again BP - I have another question!!!

              Assuming a 4kWp array, if I charged the car at the peak solar hours, using my PodPoint charger at 7kWh, I’d still be drawing the extra power from the grid. Rather than change my charger (seems extravagant) could I use a granny charger instead ?

              BPLightlog
              Super User
              BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
              Super User
              November 3, 2023

              Thanks again BP - I have another question!!!

              Assuming a 4kWp array, if I charged the car at the peak solar hours, using my PodPoint charger at 7kWh, I’d still be drawing the extra power from the grid. Rather than change my charger (seems extravagant) could I use a granny charger instead ?

              Assuming no batteries, then you could or simply restrict the charge level (presuming you can) from your charger. You would need to calculate if the EV would be charged enough by when you need it

              Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
              juliamc
              Rank 20
              juliamc
              Rank 20
              November 3, 2023

              Unfortunately the PodPoint doesn’t allow that, as far as I know….. it’s all or nothing ☹️

              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

              OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd