Photovoltaic plus energy storage sector

For solar-plus-storage—the pairing of solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage technologies—NREL researchers study and quantify the unique economic and grid benefits reaped by distributed and utility-scale systems. Much of NREL's current energy storage research is informing solar-plus-storage analysis.

Energy storage has become an increasingly common component of utility-scale solar energy systems in the United States. Much of NREL's analysis for this market segment focuses on the grid impacts of solar-plus-storage systems, though costs and benefits are also frequently considered.

Among these alternatives, the integrated photovoltaic energy storage system, a novel energy solution combining solar energy harnessing and storage capabilities, garners significant attention compared to the traditional separated photovoltaic energy storage system.

Solar-plus-storage shifts some of the solar system's output to evening and night hours and provides other grid benefits. NREL employs a variety of analysis approaches to understand the factors that influence solar-plus-storage deployment and how solar-plus-storage will affect energy systems.

Amid rising global concerns over energy security and the exacerbation of climate change, the new energy industry continues to present opportunities. Due to supportive policies, China's photovoltaic industry has achieved notable success globally after developing for many years.

Just as PV systems can be installed in small-to-medium-sized installations to serve residential and commercial buildings, so too can energy storage systems—often in the form of lithium-ion batteries.