Exploring the synergies between hot water cylinders and Solar PV ‘The Thermal Battery’ explores the potential to store the energy generated from Solar PV systems locally, using hot water storage as the mechanism. Making use of the excess electricity and maximising consumer investment. After all the energy produced by the consumer is more valuable than the payback they receive. Given that 40% of homes in the UK already have a hot water cylinder, solar PV offers real potential for significant cost savings.

Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs, HWA said:

“HWA statistics show that, homeowners could save between £90 and £240 per annum and meet around 50% of their hot water energy requirements if they were to divert their excess solar energy using the products currently on the market which homeowners can connect to their immersion heater.”

He added:

There are over 900,000 homes in the UK with solar PV installed. But while these consumers should be delighted with the energy they are generating and the associated savings, research has found that the vast majority of these people are actually dissatisfied because, as they are out at work when the energy is being generated, they cannot consume all of the surplus energy and therefore do not see the true benefits.

“Diverting this energy to a hot water cylinder, which may ordinarily be fuelled by a boiler, will save significantly on gas bills. Further, projected increases to electric demand, especially with presumed levels of electric vehicle deployment (which is estimated to add at least 10% to UK power demand), will place a strain on the grid. BY 2050, EV electricity demand could rise to 40 – 45 terawatt hours (TWh) per year. Allowing households with solar PV to opt to sell their excess electricity to the grid or store it for when needed will reduce pressure on the grid, whilst saving consumers money.”

You can read the Hot Water Associations report, The Thermal Battery, here.