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From solar energy to a self-sufficient business

When the sun is shining, we charge the battery. And when the sun goes down, we use the energy we’ve stored on the battery. "We’re now largely self-sufficient and don’t waste any green electricity.

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The challenge

Much of the solar energy generated was not being used straight away.

The Lohuis family runs a poultry farm that has about 30,000 broiler breeders. With an annual energy consumption of 140,000 kWh, energy costs had become a significant factor. 

To enable the farm to generate more of its own energy, 624 solar panels were installed. Although they generated a lot of renewable energy, it wasn’t always used straight away. Even though the ventilation systems in the sheds run day and night. So, the challenge was clear: to use more of its own energy and become less dependent on the grid.

BESTWATT’S APPROACH

186 kWh lithium-ion battery + 624 solar panels.

During our initial discussions with the family, we looked at the business’s energy consumption, the existing solar panel system and possibilities to use its own energy more. To get a good idea of how the new system works in practice, the Lohuis family visited another business owner who was already using a BestWatt energy storage system. 

Based on these discussions and the energy needs of the business, a battery system was chosen that integrates seamlessly with the existing system and the day-to-day operations of the business.

BestWatt’s proposal

Install a lithium-ion battery

Store surplus solar energy

Integrate BestWatt’s solution with the existing solar panel system

The result

The business is now using more of its own energy and feeding less back into the grid.

Armed with the new battery, the Lohuis family is able to store a bigger percentage of the solar energy they generate themselves and use this power when they need it. So, less energy is wasted and the sheds have a stable energy supply 24/7.

Thanks to the combination of solar panels and energy storage, the business is now using more of the energy it generates itself. The business is also storing and reusing a significant amount of energy every year, making it less and less dependent on the grid.

"BestWatt has taken care of absolutely everything for us, from the purchase right up to the present day. "The product is new to us and there’s a lot we don’t know about it yet. So, it’s reassuring to know that there’s always someone on hand to help us think things through."

This personal support gave the Lohuis family the confidence it needed to invest in energy storage. The chosen solution is efficient and future-proof and has enabled them to get more out of their own energy and maximise their investment.