Allowing easy, flexible installation and monitoring of electricity data, high-efficiency battery storage systems will contribute to optimal energy use inside the home.

Kyocera Corporation (President: Goro Yamaguchi), Energetik Solartechnologie-Vertriebs GmbH (Managing Directors: Mr. Thomas Stork, Mr. Frank Rohland) and Solare Datensysteme GmbH (CEO: Dr. Frank Schlichting) today announced that the companies have teamed up to offer an energy storage solution for residential use in Germany. The new solution, which includes Kyocera’s battery storage system and Solare Datensysteme’s energy monitoring software and hardware, can be combined with solar power generating systems to realize power generation and power storage at home, thus contributing to energy independence and reduced utility costs. Energetik will begin sales in May 2015.

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Schematic of electricity flow combining a solar power generating system and new battery storage system

In Germany, the expansion of renewable energy in recent years has caused concerns for instability in the electricity grid. Furthermore, in response to decreasing feed-in-tariffs for renewable energy and rising electricity costs, there is a growing demand for storage systems to facilitate the self-consumption of electricity created by solar power generating systems.

The storage system features a multi inverter which achieves a high charging efficiency of 97% while realizing a cost advantage for customers. Because the inverter and battery box are separated into two compact units, they can be installed easily and flexibly in homes. In addition, Solare Datensysteme’s monitoring software and hardware, Solar-Log™^*1, provides comprehensive data on the state of electricity usage, allowing users to further optimize energy use in their homes.

“With the growing use of solar energy, self-consumption is becoming increasingly important in order to reduce burden on the electricity grid,” said Nobuo Kitamura, senior executive officer and general manager of the Corporate Solar Energy Group at Kyocera. “As a pioneer in the solar industry with over four decades of experience, and the number one supplier of residential lithium-ion battery storage systems in Japan^*2, Kyocera aims to further promote renewable energy by offering a comprehensive solution combining solar power generation and energy storage.”

Frank Rohland, Managing Director of Energetik, stated, “Since 1995, Energetik has been providing photovoltaic components in Germany with the strong belief that renewable energy will become more important in the future. Based on our expertise in this market, we will collaborate with Kyocera to offer high-quality storage batteries available all-in-one with Kyocera’s solar modules and inverters, which reduce reliance on the electricity grid and can also be utilized without grid connection.”

“An intelligent energy management solution more than ever is the key factor for a responsible and sustainable global energy supply for everyone,” emphasizes Dr. Frank Schlichting, chief executive officer of Solare Datensysteme. “As a leader in the field of energy monitoring, power control and self-consumption management for more than 10 years, Solare Datensysteme is proud of contributing to the realization of this mission.”

Features

1. Available in two sizes
4.8kWh and 7.2kWh batteries will be available, allowing customers to select the appropriate size for efficiently charging and consuming energy depending on their power usage.

2. Achieves high charging efficiency of 97% with multi inverter
The storage system features a multi inverter which incorporates functions of the solar power inverter and battery inverter. Because the energy created by solar power can be directly charged to the storage batteries, there is less electricity loss from conversion, thus improving the charging efficiency while reducing equipment costs.

3. Enables easy and flexible installation
By separating the inverter and battery box instead of integrating them into a single unit, the equipment is easier to carry and installation location is more flexible due to its compact size.

4. Allows access to comprehensive electricity data
Solar-Log tracks and provides data on electricity such as the amount of power consumption, electricity generated from solar power, energy charged to and discharged from the batteries, and current battery capacity. Users can check the data via computers, tablets and smartphones to further optimize their use of power.

*1 Solar-Log is a registered trademark of Solare Datensysteme GmbH.
*2 Largest supplier of lithium-ion storage battery systems for residential use in Japan. Based on research by Kyocera (as of March 12, 2015).