Is a home PV battery storage worthwhile in 2023?  

The advantages of buying a PV energy storage system

There are a few reasons why it makes sense to buy an energy storage system to complement your PV system:

• Increase self-consumption:  
  With a PV storage system, you can use your electricity generated by the photovoltaic more effectively. For example, surplus electricity produced during the day can be stored and used in the evening when less solar energy is available. 
  
  
• Greater independence:
  By consuming more of the power you produce yourself, you can cover more of your needs. This reduces your dependence on large electricity suppliers. Consequently, you are less affected by rising electricity prices or fluctuations in electricity prices. In addition, you can contribute to relieving the public grids and be more independent in the event of a blackout, as long as the system of your electricity storage unit allows it.
  
  
• Reduction of electricity costs: 
  By using your solar power more effectively and being less affected by price increases, you have the opportunity to significantly reduce your electricity costs.
  
  
• Sustainability: 
  By storing your PV electricity, you can use it more efficiently and obtain more energy from sustainable sources. In this way, you make an important contribution to energy transition.

What does an electricity storage system cost in 2023 and how is the economic efficiency of solar storage systems calculated?

The price of an energy storage system can vary and depends, among other things, on the usable storage capacity, the storage size, the technology and the depth of discharge, but also on the individual conditions on site. Since we want to offer you an offer that is tailored to your individual needs, we have developed a PV storage calculator (contact us for more information on this) that will help you find an energy storage system of the right size. Subsequently, you will benefit from the individual support of one of our partners and receive a customised offer including an estimation of costs.

Economic efficiency of electricity storage systems:

The following factors are included in the calculation of the economic efficiency:

• Initial costs of the solar energy storage system
• Cost of purchasing electricity from the grid
• Average power consumption 
• Savings from self-consumption of self-produced solar power
• Possible income from feeding surplus solar power into the grid or selling it to other people in your neighborhood

When is it worth buying an electricity storage system?

A photovoltaic energy storage system is always worthwhile if you produce more electricity with your PV system during the day than you consume, as this allows you to increase your own consumption. For example, if you are not at home during the day and your electricity consumption is correspondingly low, you can use a PV storage unit to store the electricity you do not use. When you finally need it, e.g. in the evening, you can fall back on your PV electricity.

For private use at home, our hybrid home storage unit KJUUBE, the KJUUBE Light and the stackable KJUUBE Light S are particularly worthwhile. They allow you to make your home completely energy-independent even in the event of a blackout. In addition, you can expand the KJUUBE Light S at any time thanks to its modular expandability. The KJUUBE Light, on the other hand, is the ideal home storage unit for simple applications where no energy management is required.

Which PV battery storage should I buy for my home?

Which photovoltaic energy storage system is right for you depends on a number of factors, such as your consumption profile or the areas of application. What storage size and capacity do I need? What types of storage are there? You will find the answers in the following sections.

What types of storage are there?

The following storage systems are currently being increasingly used:

• Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide (NMC): Particularly suitable for electric vehicles thanks to fast charging capability, high energy density and small space requirements.
• Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries: Particularly suitable for home storage due to low heat generation, high safety and increased space requirements. LiFePO4 batteries also score in terms of sustainability, as they do not require heavy metals or rare raw materials. neoom therefore relies on this high-quality technology for its home storage units.

Read more about the best battery technology battery technology in our article.

PV battery storage: single-phase or three-phase?

When it comes to buying an electricity storage system, you can choose between a single-phase and a three-phase storage system.

Storage capacity: What size do I need for my PV storage unit?

To calculate the storage capacity, we consider, among other things, the area of the PV system and the annual electricity consumption. 

What is the difference between AC and DC?

AC stands for alternating current and DC for direct current. In principle, PV modules generate direct current, which is also stored as such in the energy storage system. However, since alternating current flows in the household, an inverter is needed to convert the PV current.

Electricity storage with emergency power or backup power function

In the event of a power failure, electricity storage units with an emergency power or backup power function (emergency generating unit) offer greater supply security and less dependence on the public power grid. The aim is to ensure that as many appliances as possible can continue to run in the event of a power grid failure. But is there a difference between emergency power and backup power (an emergency generating unit)?

Is there a difference between emergency power and backup power?

In everyday life, the terms emergency power and backup power are often mixed up because the systems are very similar. The most important difference is merely that in the event of a power failure, only the most important consumers can be supplied by means of emergency power, whereas in the backup power system, all consumers in the entire house continue to be supplied with electricity. We will also merge the terms from now on.

What is backup power?

In the event of a power failure, the backup power system provides a comprehensive power supply for the entire house. The following additional advantages go hand in hand with it:

• Three-phase power supply: standard consumers are supplied with power in every room. This means that you can, for example, charge your mobile phone, watch TV or turn on the lights as normal.
• Three-phase capability: Appliances that consume large amounts of electricity, such as a heat pump, are also supplied with electricity.
• Island-capable: The system continues to run in grid backup mode and provides power to the consumers and charges the electricity storage unit via the internal PV system when the sun is shining.
• Black start capability: The power supply restarts when the sun shines, even if the battery modules were completely discharged.

Which PV battery storage systems are subsidised?

For photovoltaic systems and solar storage units, there are some nationwide, but also state-specific subsidies. In general, however, energy storage systems are only subsidised in combination with PV systems.

Nationwide PV & energy storage subsidies

• "raus aus Öl und Gas" 2023/2024: This promotion is designed to make it easier for private individuals and businesses to switch from a fossil fuel heating system to a sustainable heating system. Since April 2022, the campaign also offers the possibility to apply for a solar bonus of up to €1500 if a solar system is installed in connection with boiler replacement. For more information, visit www.oesterreich.gv.at.

• Market premium for photovoltaic electricity fed into the grid (Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz - "EAG" (Austrian Renewable Energy Expansion Act): The market premium subsidises fed-in PV electricity and is applicable for 
  • New PV installations/extensions with more than 10 kWp
  • Bids in the 2022 and 2023 incentive calls, which have a maximum value of 9.33 cents/kWh
  • PV systems in the area: buildings, infrastructure & open land
    
    
• Investment subsidies under the EAG: In 2023, there are again additional funding calls based on the EAG. Subsidies are available for the installation and expansion of PV systems and the associated purchase of energy storage systems. The following funding calls exist for 2023:
  • 1st funding call was possible until April 6, 2023.
  • 2nd funding call: June 14 to June 28, 2023
  • 3rd funding call: August 23 to September 6, 2023
  • 4th funding call: October 9 to October 23, 2023.

Learn more about the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG) here. You can also find more information about applying for the PV and energy storage investment grant here.

• Energy storage systems promotion campaign 2023: Energy storage systems for existing electricity generation plants for renewable energy are subsidised. The subsidy is limited exclusively to the installation of new and the expansion of existing energy storage systems. The amount for the energy storage subsidy is 200 euros per kWh of usable storage capacity. To apply for the subsidy, you must register on the online platform for private individuals or businesses.

State-specific PV & electricity storage subsidies

There are also some subsidies in the field of energy storage and photovoltaics at state level. You can read more about the subsidies in the individual federal states here.

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