As the solar market grows, many homes, factories and off-grid areas are looking for more sustainable energy solutions, and solar energy is an option that cannot be ignored. In the European market, including German-speaking and Spanish-speaking regions, the demand for solar energy is increasing as subsidies and electricity prices rise. The combination of a 20kW solar system with battery storage​​​​​ is particularly popular. In this article, we will analyze the design scheme, application scenarios and the value of 20kW Solar System with Battery Storage to users from a professional perspective.

Why choose battery storage?

When discussing the configuration of a 20kW Solar System with Battery Storage, we need to first clarify the two main types of solar systems: On-Grid and Off-Grid systems, as well as Hybrid Systems, which are a combination of the two. These three types of systems differ significantly in terms of operation logic, application scenarios and battery usage.

Grid-connected systems: suitable for areas with stable electricity

A grid-connected system is a model that connects the solar system directly to the public grid. It is characterized by the fact that no battery support is required, and excess solar power can be fed back into the grid, while power is taken from the grid when solar power is insufficient.

Advantages of grid-connected systems:

• Lower cost: No battery support is required, reducing initial investment.
• Utilizes the grid as “energy storage”: excess power can be sold back to the grid for a stable return (some European countries, such as Germany and Spain, offer high rebate subsidies).
• Easy to operate: no need to worry about battery maintenance, simple system structure.

Limitations of grid-connected systems:

• Inoperable during power outages: Even with solar power, it is not possible to supply electricity, which is a major shortcoming in areas with frequent power outages.
• Dependence on grid reliability: grid failure directly affects system operation.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Perfect grid coverage: suitable for urban centers or industrial parks, areas with stable power grids and low probability of power outages.
• Policy support areas: such as Germany, the Netherlands and other countries, through the grid feedback policy to support users to recover costs.

Off-grid system: a completely independent energy solution

Off-grid systems, on the other hand, operate completely independently of the public grid, relying solely on solar panels for power generation and batteries for storage. Electricity is generated for direct use during the day, with excess power stored in batteries and powered by batteries at night or on cloudy days.

Key features of off-grid systems:

• Complete energy independence: the system is not dependent on the grid, allowing users to realize electricity in places without public grid coverage.
• Battery storage is a core component: off-grid systems cannot rely directly on the public grid, so the capacity and performance of the battery storage directly determines the sustainability of the electricity consumption.

Why do off-grid systems need battery storage?

• Ensure power supply at night: solar panels generate power during the day, and batteries store excess power for use at night or on cloudy days.
• To cope with the risk of power cuts: Especially in remote areas of Europe, off-grid systems use battery storage to provide a continuous supply of electricity.
• Enhance energy independence: Battery storage gives the user complete control over their energy use in situations where they cannot rely on the public grid.

Scenarios:

• Remote areas: such as rural, mountainous and island areas in Europe, where the grid is not well developed.
• Areas with unstable grids: In some countries in Eastern Europe or along the Mediterranean coast, off-grid systems can guarantee a stable power supply.

Hybrid systems: the perfect combination of on-grid and off-grid

Hybrid systems combine the characteristics of both on-grid and off-grid systems. On the basis of the grid-connected system, the battery storage function is added, so that the excess power during the day can be stored in the battery as a priority and then fed back to the grid; in the event of a grid failure, the system automatically switches to the off-grid mode and is powered by the battery.

The main advantages of the hybrid system:

• Multiple power supply guarantees: whether during the day, at night or during a power outage, users always have power available.
• Flexible energy management: Power can be deployed intelligently, e.g. using battery power when electricity prices are high, saving costs.
• Grid and Battery Double Backup: Users can enjoy the stability of grid-connection, but also use the battery to realize backup power.

The role of battery storage:

• Electricity price optimization: Use battery power during times of high electricity prices to reduce overall electricity costs.
• Power Outage Emergency: Automatically switch to batteries during power outages to keep homes and businesses running continuously.
• Excess Power Management: Avoid direct waste of excess power during the day with battery storage.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Users sensitive to power outages: e.g. clinics, stores, businesses in European cities.
• Policy support areas: e.g. France, Italy, etc., where hybrid system users can benefit from tariff rebates.
• Energy cost optimization: Suitable for countries with high energy price fluctuations, optimizing costs by regulating battery discharge time.

Configuration Scenario Cases

Depending on the usage scenarios and user needs, the following are three different cases

Detailed Introduction and Expansion of Three Scenarios for Battery Storage

The following is a comprehensive analysis of three typical 20kW solar system configuration scenarios, including economic configuration, enhanced storage configuration and hybrid configuration. Key parameters are shown in tables to help users quickly understand their design logic and application scenarios.

Scenario 1: Economical Configuration (38.4kWh Li Battery)

Applicable people:

Small and medium-sized families or single stores with limited budgets but a need for stability.

System design and logic:

1. Solar panels and power matching:

• Each solar panel has a power of 555W, total power of 36 ≈ 20kW, making full use of sunshine resources in most of Europe.
• Configured to meet an average daily power generation demand of 80kWh (assuming 4 hours of sunshine).

2. Battery capacity calculation:

• The energy storage configuration is 38.4kWh, which can provide about 30.72kWh of effective power based on 80% deep discharge of the battery, suitable for the basic power supply demand at night.

Application Scenario:

Small and medium-sized residences or single stores, especially suitable for southern European (e.g., Italy, Spain) regions with good sunlight conditions, limited user budgets and medium demand for power stability.

Scenario 2: Enhanced storage configuration (57.6kWh Li battery)

Applicable people: European rural or off-grid villa users, requiring higher endurance and backup power support.

System design and logic:

1. Larger battery capacity:

• Compared with the 38.4kWh battery, the 57.6kWh lithium battery can store more power, suitable for areas with short sunshine hours in winter, ensuring the stability of power supply at night and standby.

2. Power generation calculation:

• Assuming 6 hours of sunshine, the daily power generation = 20kW x 6 hours x 85% efficiency ≈ 102kWh, which can provide power support for higher electricity-using loads.

Application scenarios:

Particularly suitable for rural areas or off-grid cottage areas in Northern or Central Europe (e.g. Germany, France), which can provide stable power for multiple households, small farms or agricultural irrigation.

Scenario 3: Hybrid Configuration (45kWh Li Battery)

Target group: Urban users with high requirements for power reliability, such as SMEs, clinics or households with high electricity consumption.

Components Specifications

Solar Panel 20kW monocrystalline solar panel

Hybrid inverter Maxbo customized model, supports automatic switching between grid-connected and off-grid

Battery storage 45kWh Li-ion batteries for night time and power failure.

Other components Aluminum bracket, cables, custom connectors

Program features:

1. Hybrid system design:

• Hybrid inverter allows the system to be powered by batteries during power outages, while utilizing solar power to generate electricity and feeding excess power back into the grid (suitable for countries with energy rebate policies, such as Germany and the Netherlands).

2. Battery capacity calculation:

• 45kWh Li-ion battery configuration supports daily power requirements while providing short-term backup power.

Application Scenarios:

SMEs, clinics or home users in urban areas who are sensitive to power interruptions and want to save money on their electricity bills.

Table comparing the characteristics of the three options

Summary and Recommendations

All three solutions have been carefully designed to suit the electricity needs of users in different parts of Europe. If you need more specific advice, we encourage you to visit our website, Maxbo Solar, where we will provide you with customized solar solutions, whether for domestic, commercial or industrial applications

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The core value of battery storage: expanding and analyzing

1. Energy independence:

Empowering users to be more proactive.

In today’s energy market, power shortages and price fluctuations are becoming a challenge for more and more households and businesses. Battery storage helps users achieve energy independence from reliance on the public grid by storing excess electricity generated by solar power.

Energy price volatility

• State of the European market:

Europe has experienced a significant increase in energy prices in recent years, especially against the backdrop of tight natural gas supplies, and electricity price volatility has had a particularly significant impact on ordinary households and small and medium-sized businesses.

• Advantages of battery storage:

When electricity prices are at their peak, users can save money on their electricity bills by drawing power from their batteries, reducing the need to draw power from the grid. This independence is particularly evident in areas where solar energy is abundant (e.g. Italy, Spain).

Reduced reliance on external grids

• Remote or rural areas often face inadequate grid coverage. In such environments, battery storage systems allow users to eliminate their dependence on the public grid by efficiently utilizing local solar energy resources, guaranteeing round-the-clock power supply.
• For agricultural users, battery storage can provide stable power during critical processes such as irrigation and cold storage, avoiding losses caused by power outages.

2. Increased Reliability:

Ensuring Uninterrupted Power at Critical Times

Power reliability is a major concern for home and business users, especially at night, during power outages, or at peak times. The battery storage system ensures continuity of power supply by reserving solar power during the day.

Securing power at night

While solar power is generated during the day, the need for electricity at night is equally important. Battery storage stores excess power during the day to provide reliable power output at night.

• Case scenario: During the European winter, when daylight hours are shorter but heating and lighting needs are higher for domestic and commercial users, battery storage can bridge the power gap during this time.

Coping with Grid Outages

As climate change leads to more extreme weather (e.g., storms, heat, etc.), the reliability of the power grid decreases. For critical areas that rely on electricity (e.g., healthcare, data centers, factories), power outages can lead to severe economic or life loss.

• Battery storage, as a backup power source, can immediately take over the load and ensure continuous operation of critical equipment, especially in hospitals, data centers, and other locations.

Relieving the pressure of peak power consumption

During times of peak power usage, the grid is often at risk of overloading, which can lead to interruptions in power supply. Battery storage systems can release power during peak hours, providing a stable supply to users while helping to reduce the burden on the grid.

• In large industrialized countries such as Germany, many small and medium-sized enterprises have reduced their peak electricity bills through solar battery storage.

3. Environmentally friendly:

Advancing sustainable development goals

The promotion of battery storage not only optimizes energy management, but also plays a significant role in environmental protection and carbon reduction. By efficiently utilizing solar energy resources, it supports users in achieving a lower carbon footprint.

Reduce Energy Waste

Solar energy is an intermittent source of energy that often generates excess power during midday or when the sun is at its peak. Without battery storage, this excess power can go to waste.

• Battery storage systems can store this excess power and utilize it in the evening or on cloudy days, thus maximizing the use of the resource.
• Example: In rural areas such as Italy or Spain, many households use battery storage to store excess electricity during the day to provide heating or hot water at night.

Reducing dependence on fossil fuels

Traditional fossil fuel power generation is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By combining solar + battery storage, users can reduce the need to draw power from the grid, thus indirectly reducing reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

• Policy support: The European Green Deal aims to achieve at least a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and battery storage is an important tool to help users achieve this goal.

Driving Renewable Energy Uptake

Battery storage improves the feasibility of solar power generation, solves the shortcomings of unstable traditional renewable energy, and provides technical support to promote the popularization of renewable energy. Especially in some areas of Europe where the climate is volatile, the stability of battery storage enhances users’ confidence in solar energy.

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Summarize

The combination of a 20kW solar system with battery storage is a key option for achieving green energy independence and is particularly suited to the diverse needs of European users.

As a one-stop solar solution provider, we are always oriented to customer needs and provide efficient and reliable solar systems for the European market. Our strengths include:

• Tailor-made solutions: optimized design according to customer needs.
• Quality product supply: All modules are CE and TUV certified with superior performance.
• Professional after-sales service: 6-year warranty for batteries and 5-year warranty for inverters.

Whether you are a home user or a commercial organization, we can provide cost-effective solutions to help you achieve energy independence. From economical configurations to high storage solutions to flexible hybrid systems, we offer professional solutions for different budgets and scenarios.

If you are interested in solar energy systems, please feel free to visit our website or submit your requirements.

Email: info@maxbo-solar.com

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