Maximise Energy Savings with Huawei’s Smart Solar Battery System And Off-Peak Electricity
Thinking of getting solar PV panels but sure about battery storage? Or already have the panels and considering adding a storage battery? This smart way of using a solar battery is a game-changer, and might just convince you that solar battery storage is well worth it.
Smart Meters, Cheaper Electricity and Solar Battery Storage
In today’s dynamic energy market, managing your electricity consumption efficiently can lead to significant savings. By leveraging off-peak night-time rates and integrating renewable energy sources, homeowners can reduce energy bills while enhancing sustainability. Huawei’s smart battery system exemplifies how modern technology, when paired with a smart energy tariff, can transform your energy usage into a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.
Understanding Off-Peak Electricity Rates
Most energy suppliers offer variable tariffs that reward customers for using electricity during off-peak hours. During the night, when overall demand is low, energy is cheaper. A smart meter plays a crucial role in this process by providing real-time data on your electricity consumption. With the right tariff—often called a low night-rate tariff—consumers can take advantage of these lower rates to charge energy storage systems, reducing the cost of powering their daily routines.
Example from Electric Ireland of low night rate unit price:
| RATE | HOURS | RATE (per kWh) |
| Day | 08:00 – 23:00 | 30.53c |
| Night | 23:00 – 08:00 | 15.05c |
| Night Boost | 02:00 – 04:00 | 8.84c |
How Huawei’s Smart Battery System Works
Huawei’s smart battery system is designed to optimise energy usage by aligning with the natural cycle of electricity demand and renewable energy production. Here’s how it functions:
🌙 Automated Charging: The battery is programmed to charge during the night when energy prices are at their lowest. This ensures that you are storing energy at the most cost-effective rate.
🧠 Smart Integration: Once charged, the battery provides power during high-demand periods, such as your morning routine, effectively lowering your reliance on expensive grid electricity.
☀️ Renewable Support: During the day, solar panels generate additional energy, which can recharge the battery. This integrated approach maximises self-consumption of renewable energy while further reducing grid dependency.
🔂 Continuous Cycle: The system is designed to repeat this cycle—charging at night, using stored power during peak hours, and recharging with solar energy—ensuring a consistent and efficient energy management strategy.
The Energy Cycle: Optimising Charging and Consumption
The process can be summarised in a simple, yet highly effective cycle:
🔋 Night-Time Charging:
Step: The battery charges during off-peak hours using a low night-rate tariff.
Benefit: You take advantage of reduced electricity costs.
☕️ Morning Usage:
Step: The charged battery powers your morning routines, such as heating, lighting, and appliances.
Benefit: Using stored energy in the morning reduces reliance on expensive peak-rate electricity.
☀️ Daytime Solar Recharge:
Step: Solar panels generate energy throughout the day, recharging the battery.
Benefit: This enhances energy independence and further cuts electricity bills.
💡 Evening Consumption:
Step: The battery supplies power during the evening, a time when energy demand typically increases.
Benefit: Evening consumption from stored energy mitigates high energy costs during peak periods.
🔄 Cycle Repetition:
Step: The battery is recharged again at the lower night rate, preparing it for the next day’s cycle.
Benefit: This continuous loop maximises energy savings and optimises the return on investment.
Key Components and Considerations
Implementing this energy-saving strategy effectively requires a few essential components and considerations:
🕑 Smart Meter: Most homes in Ireland now have a smart meter. A smart meter can send your electricity usage back to your supplier in real time. This allows for more detailed tariffs with lower rates for off-peak and night time energy usage.
⚡️Low Night-Rate Tariff: Verify with your energy supplier that you have access to a tariff that offers lower rates during off-peak hours. Some electricity suppliers offer exceptionally low rates for energy usage in set periods of the early hours.
☀️ Solar Panel Integration: An Energlaze smart solar panel system is fully integrated. It utilises Huawei’s award winning solar technology to seamlessly connect all the parts of the system. This helps with ease of installation and configuration, while maximising generation.
🛠️ System Configuration: The Huawei smart battery system is designed for easy configuration, allowing users to automate the charging process based on real-time energy rates.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
By adopting this strategy, users can enjoy a range of advantages:
💶 Reduced Electricity Bills: Charging during off-peak hours means paying less for stored energy, which in turn reduces the cost of running your household during peak times.
🗓️ Shorter Payback Period: With significant savings on electricity bills, the investment in a smart battery system and solar panels is recouped faster.
📈 Enhanced Energy Independence: Lower dependence on grid power increases energy security and can protect against price fluctuations.
🌍 Environmental Impact: Maximising the use of renewable energy not only lowers costs but also contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions, supporting a greener future.
The End Result
Leveraging a cheaper night-time rate for electricity through Huawei’s smart battery system is a forward-thinking strategy for both economic and environmental benefits. By aligning energy storage with low-cost periods and integrating renewable energy sources, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid, lower energy bills, and enjoy a shorter payback period. This smart, cyclical approach to energy management represents the future of home energy systems—efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.
If you would like a free no obligation quote contact Energlaze today. Our solar experts would be happy to provide you with advice on the best system for your needs and how to maximise SEAI grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a solar battery usually installed in the home?
The most common place in Irish homes is beside the inverter in the attic.
Are solar storage batteries safe?
Yes. The Huawei Luna2000 battery is very safe. This is thanks to Lithium iron phosphate (LiFe battery) technology that shuts down cells to prevent issues.
The batteries are also have an IP65 rating. And the batteries can operate perfectly in temperatures ranging from –20°C to +55°C.
What temperatures range can the batteries operate at?
The Huawei Luna2000 battery can operate perfectly in temperatures ranging from –20°C to +55°C.
What is the warranty on the battery?
The Huawei Luna2000 battery has a 10 year warranty (and an extra 5 years extension can be purchased). Lifespan is approximately 15 years
The warranty on solar panels is 25 years and the inverter is 10 years.
How long do solar batteries last?
The Huawei Luna2000 has been fully tested to last for 15+ years based on a full charge/discharge cycle. During installation Energlaze will configure the system to charge the battery to 90%. This is to prolong the lifespan and performance of the battery, guaranteeing more cycles.
If my solar battery is full what happens to the extra energy?
If your solar storage battery is full then excess energy will be exported back to the grid. This will credited back to your account by your energy supplier under the Microgeneration Support Scheme.
Will my solar battery work with my electric vehicle?
Yes. All aspects of the solar PV system work in tandem with each other as a fully integrated system. And like in the example above, using cheap night rate energy to charge the solar battery to run your electric vehicle can save you lots in cost.
How big is the solar battery?
A 5kWh system is 670 mm x 600 mm x 150 mm and weighs 63.8 kg.
Can I choose to add solar battery storage at a later time?
Yes. The Huawei smart solar system is designed to be flexible. You can chose to add battery storage to the system at a later date.
And also you can easily add to existing storage capacity as the system is modular.
How much does a solar battery storage system cost?
Energlaze offer a free, no obligation survey and quote.
Click here, complete the form and one of our solar experts will be in touch to discuss your all your solar needs.