Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar and Battery Systems : A Comprehensive Analysis of Key Parameters

Abstract: Sweden has experienced a significant increase in installed solar power capacity between 2010 and 2020, driven by decreasing installation costs, government subsidies and widespread public interest. However, Sweden's geographical distribution of electricity generation and consumption presents challenges for the national grid. Recent instability in the electricity supply due to the war in Ukraine has prompted increased interest in residential battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a means to enhance energy resilience and reduce electricity bills. The rapid growth of the European residential BESS market is expected to continue, driven by the need for flexibility and energy-shifting services in response to increasing renewable energy production. BESS can provide economic benefits to households with installed PV systems through peak shaving, allowing them to store excess electricity during periods of high production and use it during peak demand. This thesis investigates photovoltaic (PV) and BESS performance and profitability for Swedish households under various conditions. The study considers parameters such as system costs, energy prices, grid tariffs and dynamic battery management strategies to investigate the profitability of the systems. The research aims to provide guidelines for households to maximize the benefits of their PV and BESS installations and minimize their dependence on the grid. The effectiveness and practicality of the developed method are demonstrated through verification in two real-world installations. The study’s findings demonstrate that electricity prices, household consumption and roof orientation highly influence the profitability of PV systems. If future electricity prices align with present forecasts, installations on north-facing roofs will not be profitable under any circumstances investigated in this study. A distinct correlation is also discernible between larger loads and improved economic viability for PV and BESS installations, while a smaller battery capacity results in higher economic viability. This reveals that BESS profitability currently is limited due to high installation costs. However, the potential for future BESS profitability is shown if battery costs are reduced and more advanced battery dispatch strategies are developed.