Maximizing Battery Energy Storage and Solar Efficiency

How Battery Energy Storage (BESS) and Solar Perform Best When Integrated from the Start

Have you considered BESS as a ‘second phase’ option ? Or are you at the start of a renewable journey and not sure how to proceed? What have been the obstacles for you?

Optimal System Sizing: Without BESS, solar PV arrays could potentially be oversized to meet peak demand, resulting in wasted energy during off-peak times. Installing BESS from the start allows for more accurate system sizing, capturing and storing excess energy for later use, which maximises both energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

Delayed Return on Investment (ROI): Renewable energy systems without storage often provide slower ROI because you can only use the energy when it's produced. Adding BESS at the start enables the storage of excess energy, allowing you to reduce grid dependence and speed up payback by using stored energy during peak rate periods.

Here is an example:

We worked with a large logistics client who had planned to install roof-mounted solar PV and add BESS a year later. After reviewing their data, our team found that by installing BESS alongside the solar PV from the start could save them £300K and cut 5 years off their ROI. This insight created a completely new project plan.

We recommend you take a step back and review your energy needs and plans as a whole. Consider the long-term savings and efficiency you can achieve from integrating renewables plus storage right from the start. Consider your energy usage patterns and future load growth before choosing to install solar in isolation purely based on budget.

Installing both Solar PV and BESS together requires a significant investment, and many businesses may prefer to spread out the cost, despite missing out on long term savings. Managing and integrating two systems at once can feel complex. While solar and wind technology is well known, BESS is less understood option, leading to delayed adoption. Many businesses focus on the ROI for the solar PV alone, not realising that integrating BESS can accelerate ROI by enabling energy storage and peak shaving, reducing reliance on grid energy at high-cost times.

There is often a misconception that adding BESS later will be easier or more cost-effective. However, this can lead to higher overall costs due to changes in system design, missed opportunities for efficiency, and the potential need to retrofit existing infrastructure.

We get it. Businesses often delay integrating BESS with solar PV due to concerns about high upfront costs, managing both systems together, and unfamiliarity with BESS benefits. They mistakenly think adding BESS later is easier, though it often raises costs and extends payback time. Uncertainty around energy storage regulations and trading opportunities also adds to the hesitation.

Continu provide clear financial benefits and examples that will address these concerns. Additionally, we offer financing options for eligible projects, allowing you to implement your renewables solution with zero upfront capital expenditure (capex).

Have you considered BESS as a ‘second phase’ option ? Or are you at the start of a renewable journey and not sure how to proceed? What have been the obstacles for you?

Contact us today at info@continuenergy.com to explore how we can help you optimize your energy usage and future-proof your business with BESS.