As businesses across South Africa look for reliable and affordable energy alternatives, renewable solutions are evolving rapidly. While solar power has already transformed how companies source electricity, combining solar photovoltaic (PV) generation with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is now unlocking even greater value.

In our previous BESS 101 guide, we explained the basics of battery energy storage. In this second instalment, we explore how solar and battery storage work together to deliver more predictable, cost-effective renewable energy through energy wheeling and power purchase agreements (PPAs).

How Solar and Batteries Work Together

Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, when the sun is shining. Without storage, this electricity must be used immediately or exported to the grid. Battery storage changes this dynamic by acting like a large energy reservoir. When solar generation is high, excess electricity is stored in the battery. When demand rises later in the day, or when solar generation drops, the battery releases that stored energy back into the system.

In simple terms, solar panels collect energy and the battery stores it for when it’s needed most. At projects like Naos-1, this pairing allows solar energy to be generated during the day and dispatched later, improving how renewable energy aligns with real-world electricity demand.

Why Solar + Battery Energy Matters for Businesses

The addition of battery storage significantly enhances the value of solar energy.

The table below highlights the key differences between a PV-only energy solution and a solar-plus-battery system:

On their own, solar projects already provide businesses with access to lower-cost renewable electricity through energy wheeling. However, adding battery storage enhances the value of that energy in several important ways:

• • Lower Tariffs: One of the most significant advantages of PV+BESS systems is their ability to deliver highly competitive energy tariffs. By storing solar energy and dispatching it at optimal times, the combined system produces a blended tariff that can be lower than wind energy tariffs currently available in the market. This creates meaningful cost advantages for businesses seeking long-term, predictable renewable energy procurement.
  • Greater Savings Than PV Alone: Battery storage also improves how efficiently solar energy can be used. Instead of not using excess solar generation or exporting it at lower value periods, the system stores energy and deploys it strategically. The result is 10–20% higher savings compared to PV-only energy procurement.
  • More Predictable Energy Supply: A key challenge in renewable energy is variability. Solar generation depends on daylight conditions, while wind output fluctuates depending on weather patterns. By combining solar with battery storage, the energy output becomes partially dispatchable. This means stored energy can be released when needed, smoothing generation patterns and making supply more predictable.
  • Protection Against Tariff Risk: South Africa’s electricity landscape continues to evolve, particularly with Eskom’s Retail Tariff Plan (RTP) introducing changes to how electricity costs are structured. Storage solutions help mitigate this risk by reducing the impact of tariff volatility and lost savings under different retail tariff structures.

Simplifying Renewable Energy Procurement

While battery technology can seem complex, the process for businesses accessing PV+BESS energy is straightforward. As a leading renewable energy company, SOLA manages the full lifecycle of these projects, from development and construction to energy delivery and operations.

Through a power purchase agreement, businesses can purchase renewable electricity generated from SOLA’s solar plants and delivered through energy wheeling via the national grid. Importantly, this means businesses do not need to install infrastructure on their own sites to benefit from solar and battery energy. Instead, they receive renewable electricity through their existing grid connection.

This model makes renewable energy accessible to companies across sectors, whether they operate in commercial, retail, manufacturing, or other energy-intensive industries.

Managing the Energy Storage Lifecycle

Battery storage systems are designed for long-term reliability and safety. Modern lithium-ion systems typically operate for 7-10 years, supported by advanced battery management systems that monitor performance and optimise charging cycles. These systems can be augmented with new and better batteries as the technology evolves.

At SOLA, battery storage forms part of an integrated energy solution. Our engineering and operational teams oversee the design, monitoring, and lifecycle management of each system to ensure safe, efficient operation throughout its lifespan. This end-to-end management ensures that businesses receive consistent energy delivery without needing to manage the complexity of storage technology themselves.

The Next Step in Renewable Energy

The transition to renewable energy is about more than sustainability – it is about managing market risk. Project Naos demonstrates that the technology and the financial structures are now in place to support 24/7 industrial operations.

By choosing a wheeled PV+BESS solution from SOLA, you are partnering with a team that understands the full lifecycle of energy storage, from the design and dispatch of the batteries to the intricacies of the national grid.

Would you like us to prepare a detailed proposal for a wheeled solar-plus-battery solution tailored to your facility’s load profile? Contact our team to start the technical assessment.