Virtual batteries are capable of storing surplus energy sales, much like a balance, which can be applied in any month or even to another property.
In this way, 100% of the excess energy produced by solar panels is utilized. Their combined use can, in many cases, reduce electricity bills to zero, making them the perfect combination for saving energy.
Virtual photovoltaic batteries can be utilized in both new projects and existing installations. However, it’s crucial to understand how they work before deciding whether to purchase them.
Virtual battery operation with solar panels
The solar panels will produce electricity during daylight hours; some of it will be used for the building’s own consumption, while the remaining portion, known as surplus energy, will be available for use elsewhere.
These surpluses are transferred to the electricity grid to offset the electricity bill. However, those that cannot be offset are stored in the virtual battery.
That stored surplus kilowatt is essentially money, which is converted into a digitally stored balance. This means it can be used whenever the user wants and on any property they choose, as long as they are the owner.
When is it worth hiring a virtual drum kit?
Although a virtual battery service in a self-consumption system may always seem like a good idea, the truth is that it’s not always a good idea to purchase it; it depends on each case.
On the one hand, we indicate three cases where it is interesting to hire this service:
- For users who have seasonal consumption, meaning their electricity bills are lower some months than others.
- For owners with second or third homes, provided that the owner is the same.
- For self-consumption projects that generate a significant surplus, however, it is recommended not to oversize the installation, but to self-consume at least 80% of the photovoltaic generation.
On the contrary, there are some cases in which adding virtual batteries to solar panels is not a good idea:
- When the user is a beneficiary of the electric social bonus
- When surplus levels are very low
- If you have a good energy purchase and sale price
- In isolated solar panel installations, that is, disconnected from the electrical grid
Companies offering the virtual photovoltaic battery
The use of these virtual piggy banks is relatively new in the self-consumption sector, so not many companies currently offer this service. Some of the retailers that provide this service and their main features are:
- EDP: Surplus sales are applied to the next bill
- Próxima Energía: The purchase and sale of surpluses are indexed, and they charge a €9.7 commission for their service.
- Iberdrola: In the regulated market, it has indexed prices, while in the free market, it charges €0.15/kWh and pays €0.09/kWh
- Holaluz: calculates a fixed monthly rate based on energy consumption and production.
- Factor energía: The purchase and sale price of surpluses is indexed, and they charge a commission of €0.03/kWh for their service.
- Octopus: The price of photovoltaic surpluses is €0.11/kWh
