Enhancing homes with existing solar PV with retrofitted battery storage
DISCOVER THE PROJECT AT A GLANCE
"The Government should fit solar panels and storage batteries in every home to help with the cost of electricity. They should install them for all pensioners and also the poorest families. The systems are a big help. I am absolutely thrilled with the battery storage system."
Project participant
PERFORMANCE AND BENEFITS
SELF-GENERATION: THE KEY TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES
RESIDENT FEEDBACK
The feedback from residents is a testament to the project's success and was overwhelmingly positive. Many noted their increased awareness of energy usage and the financial benefits of the battery system. Comments included praise for the system's discreetness and silence and the significant savings on electricity bills. The residents particularly appreciated the ability to use the app to monitor and adjust energy consumption behaviours, highlighting their confidence and satisfaction with the system.
During the interviews with the residents, there were many positive comments about the project, including:
"I am over the moon with the AlphaESS battery energy storage. It is discrete, silent, and it is out of the way. I would increase the storage capacity if it were an option."
Mark Hale, AlphaESS UK Managing Director, commented, "AlphaESS UK was delighted to be part of this trial and comprehensive report. The overall feedback from residents should provide food for thought for the government and utility companies. A similar trial in Devon without solar PV demonstrated savings by taking advantage of charging the batteries at off-peak periods."
Challenges and Recommendations
Berneslai Homes' in-house electricians underwent additional training to ensure the CT clamps were correctly installed. Berneslai Home’s electrical team, supported by AlphaESS UK’s dedicated product and technical advisers, promptly addressed any issues that arose during the installation process. The challenges faced during the project, such as the need for additional training and the importance of prompt issue resolution, were valuable lessons that can guide future projects. Recommendations for future projects included considering larger capacity batteries for homes with higher energy needs and ensuring robust resident engagement and education on system use.
With the participant's age group, some residents required technology training and ongoing support. The training included familiarising the residents with the Alpha ESS monitoring portal and mobile app, as well as providing them with the necessary knowledge to understand and interpret the system's performance data. Once the savings became clear, they quickly became familiar with managing the system, and the ongoing support ensured their continued confidence and satisfaction with the system.
The Smart Solar in Barnsley project successfully demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of installing Alpha ESS SMILE-B3 batteries at scale by using existing in-house teams. This approach proved to be cost-effective and efficient, highlighting the potential for social landlords to undertake similar renewable energy projects without relying on external contractors. The project's success paves the way for future projects to replicate these results and further contribute to the adoption of renewable energy solutions across individual homes and community energy projects.
Enhancing battery system monitoring is crucial for performance assessment and early issue detection. Regular checks by an in-house or external energy team can ensure systems remain online and function correctly. Resident engagement is also vital; providing comprehensive advice and follow-up visits can help residents maximise their system's benefits. Using AlphaCloud monitoring can further support this engagement.
The "Smart Solar in Barnsley" initiative should pave the way for additional community renewable energy and battery energy storage projects and support for individuals. Seeing the appetite across social housing to provide residents with clean, affordable energy solutions is encouraging. We’re sure many others will explore this initiative as a marker for sustainable home energy and as an essential enabler in the UK’s net-zero aspirations.
*All figures are averages taken from the data from the NEA Report; visit Energise Barnsley to learn more about the innovative project and view the full report.
