Solar Homes To Help UK Grid During Surges

Householders in the UK who use Israeli technology to power their homes are being asked to reduce consumption at times of high demand – and sell stored electricity to the grid.

Thousands of homes with SolarEdge batteries can sign up for the Demand Flexibility Service this winter.

The grid will take power from their batteries when it’s struggling to meet demand, generally between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays.

They’ll be paid a minimum of $3 per kWh – which could add up to as much as $30 for a two-hour top-up. Payments will be made by Amazon eGift vouchers.

SolarEdge says its innovative technology will automatically optimize the battery charge and discharge during each demand event, maximizing homeowners’ benefits while helping to stabilize the grid.

“This is a prime example of the transformational impact that battery storage can have in future grid stabilization and how homeowners can play their part,” said Meir Adest, Chief Product Officer at SolarEdge Technologies.

“SolarEdge is dedicated to improving the ways energy is generated, stored and consumed and we believe that advances in solar and storage technologies are key to unlocking value at both the local and grid level.

“Our innovative technology simplifies the participation in demand response programs in a way that is smarter, more intuitive and more profitable for system owners.”

SolarEdge, a public company since 2015, developed an intelligent inverter solution that changed the way power is harvested and managed in photovoltaic systems.