Maximising energy efficiency during peak solar season
As the UK entered its peak solar season, between April and September, homeowners and businesses began to see the significant benefits of integrating solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels with advanced battery storage systems. The period characterised by high solar generation offers a prime opportunity for households to optimise their energy consumption and explore lucrative energy trading opportunities.
Recent data highlights the rapid growth in solar capacity across the UK, with the total installed capacity reaching 15.8 GW by March 2024. This expansion, which includes nearly 1.5 million installations, is primarily driven by domestic systems. 2023 alone saw 191,524 new PV systems added, of which 172,000 were residential installations. This boom is not just limited to solar panels; domestic battery storage has surged by 700% year-over-year as of March, spurred by favourable economic policies like the zero VAT on storage systems introduced in February 2024.
The financial potential of these systems is substantial, especially for homeowners who can sell excess energy back to the grid. Emerging energy markets, managed by entities such as National Grid, offer various services that reward flexibility, such as the Balancing Mechanism and frequency response. With National Grid projecting balancing costs for the summer to reach £1.32 billion, the demand for energy storage solutions that can participate in these markets is expected to grow.
However, the complexity of these markets can be a barrier for small-scale assets. Levelise has successfully navigated this challenge, building a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) of over 5,000 residential batteries. Through its AI-powered Levelise Hub, the company has generated over £1.5 million in customer revenue by effectively leveraging its energy storage systems. The Levelise Hub’s sophisticated algorithms continuously optimise each household’s energy production and consumption, ensuring maximum financial returns and energy efficiency.
As the energy market evolves, Levelise is preparing to enable its customers to trade their flexibility in wholesale power markets, further enhancing the economic benefits of solar and battery systems. With all household electricity set to be settled on a half-hourly basis by 2026, the demand for intelligent energy solutions like the Levelise Hub is expected to rise sharply. This transition will likely drive further advancements in smart home technology, integrating smart appliances, hot water tanks, heat pumps, and EV charging into a more efficient and responsive home energy management system.
As Ivan Castro, Operations Director at Levelise, points out, “With the VAT cut, domestic solar and storage make greater economic sense than ever. We are seeing a significant surge in rooftop PV and household storage installations. The key now is to make those assets work smarter and harder, and over the next two years, major changes to the energy market will present even greater opportunities.”
The peak solar season in the UK is more than just a period of high solar generation; it is a time for homeowners to optimise their energy systems and participate in the evolving energy markets. With tools like the Levelise Hub, households can maximise their financial returns, contribute to grid stability, and support the broader transition to a decarbonised energy system.
