Cost of 24-hour Baseload Solar + Storage
The sun shines everywhere, but not all the time. Combined with batteries,
though, the hybrid system becomes fully dispatchable. Using a simple model we
show how much it would cost to provide a constant 24-hour source of energy
using just solar and batteries. Of course, it depends on a few factors,
especially the total installed cost of solar and batteries and a couple of
other factors listed below.
Use the dropdown menus below to vary the factors:
Assumptions
- Based on a 1MW off-grid system. Connecting a larger system to an
existing grid could significantly lower the cost but complicate the
analysis due to a variety of utility regulations.
- Hourly solar radiation data for Denver Colorado from NREL’s National
Solar Radiation Database.
- All system development and equipment costs need to be allocated to
the three factors listed.
- Controllable loads could be any load that has flexibility about when
it is served.