Octopus Energy Services has responded to the government’s decision to slash the payments made to solar home owners for their excess electricity by launching its SolarPlus, home solar-plus-battery product.
From pv magazine France
With the French government slashing the rates to be paid for electricity exported by solar households into the grid, Octopus Energy Services is launching a product that combines a battery, solar power, and energy consumption flexibility.
Octopus said its SolarPlus system will enable users to maximize electricity self-consumption and reduce energy bills, which may be much needed after the government announced new net metering rates on March 26.
Energy supplier Octopus said its solar-plus-storage product could shave 90% off home electricity bills, for savings of up to €1,900 ($2,080) and could even offer average bill reductions of 49% – up to €480 – in homes that already have solar-plus-storage systems. The figures are based on homes that consume 6 MWh of electricity annually and have a 6 kW solar array and 6.9 kWh battery.
Crucially, SolarPlus is based on an electricity tariff Octopus guarantees is 3% lower than the standard, regulated sales tariff. Octopus’ rate also offers 428 more off-peak electricity hours per year than the regulated number, via additional off-peak provision between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily from April 1 to October 31. The Octopus tariffs offer a modest annual electricity bill saving of around €15, the company estimated.
An intelligent battery plays a central role in the product, charging from solar generation during sunny weather and during off-peak hours at other times and offering a more attractive €51 annual bill saving.
Solar Plus buys back excess solar electricity generated by users for €0.13/kWh, a tariff that is now three times the state price and fixed for three years. That price could add up to savings of €234 per year.
The system also operates energy-intensive hot water tanks and can save up to €117 per year by benefiting from solar electricity during Octopus’ more generous April-to-October electricity pricing period.
“We strongly believe in this new, controllable solar offering: If used properly, batteries will help relieve the grid during peak demand,” said Guillaume Bodson, deputy CEO of Octopus Energy. “Equipping 600,000 homes would provide the [grid] flexibility equivalent of six nuclear reactors: It’s a real opportunity to make the French energy system more flexible and independent while also easing the burden on French people’s wallets.”
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