Summary and reflection of the special report on photovoltaic energy storage

Should photovoltaic energy storage be a priority?

When photovoltaic (PV) systems take a larger share of generation capacity i.e. increase in penetration, increasing system flexibility should thus become a priority for policy and decision makers. Electrical energy storage (EES) may provide improvements and services to power systems, so the use of storage will be popular.

Can energy storage systems reduce the cost and optimisation of photovoltaics?

The cost and optimisation of PV can be reduced with the integration of load management and energy storage systems. This review paper sets out the range of energy storage options for photovoltaics including both electrical and thermal energy storage systems.

What is solar energy storage (EES)?

Photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity and electrical energy storage (EES) for worldwide and several countries are studied. Critical challenges with solar cell technologies, solar forecasting methods and PV-EES system operation are reviewed. The EES requirements and a selection of EES for PV system are provided.

What are the social and technological implications of solar photovoltaic (PV)?

Social and technological implications to the power sector and consumers with high penetration of PV and EES are discussed. In order to mitigate energy crisis and to meet carbon-emission reduction targets, the use of electrical energy produced by solar photovoltaic (PV) is inevitable.

What are the energy storage options for photovoltaics?

This review paper sets out the range of energy storage options for photovoltaics including both electrical and thermal energy storage systems. The integration of PV and energy storage in smart buildings and outlines the role of energy storage for PV in the context of future energy storage options.

Should energy storage be integrated with large scale PV power plants?

As a solution, the integration of energy storage within large scale PV power plants can help to comply with these challenging grid code requirements 1. Accordingly, ES technologies can be expected to be essential for the interconnection of new large scale PV power plants.