Shell Energy launches seasonal solar-battery storage tariff
Shell has become the latest energy supplier to launch a flexible tariff, allowing householders to potentially earn money back for helping to balance supply and demand for the power grid.
The company yesterday announced a “first of its kind” scheme designed to harness the benefits of integrating solar panels with battery storage systems in the home.
The Solar Storage tariff is being launched initially as a trial by Shell Energy Retail alongside the energy giant’s battery storage business sonnen. The service allows homeowners to earn solar bill-credits on excess electricity generated in the summer, which can then be used to reduce bills in the winter.
Customers with solar panels and a sonnenBatterie – which start at around £6,500 fully installed – operating in their homes who sign up to the new tariff could earn up to a maximum of £150 in solar credits over the summer to claim back on their winter bills, Shell said.
The vouchers would come in addition to estimated savings from operating a home solar power and storage system that would result even without the new tariff, the company explained.
A typical UK home with solar installed uses around a third of the power produced by its PV panels, and Shell claims installing a sonnen battery alongside a solar PV system would allow customers to cover around 75 per cent of their annual electricity usage with onsite solar generation, with the Solar Storage tariff then opening up opportunities for further savings.
Shell estimates its tariff and accompanying battery system is suitable for around 825,000 UK homes which currently have, or are considering having, solar panels installed.
Colin Crooks, CEO of Shell Energy Retail, said he hoped the new offering could accelerate the uptake of home battery and solar systems that can help reduce pressure on the UK grid, cut consumer energy bills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
