Energy optimisation with solar PV, battery storage and a heat pump

1. Build the building data model

Measure PV generation, grid flow, battery status, major loads, heat demand and relevant temperatures. Monthly data can support an initial design; quarter-hourly or real-time data is useful for controls and tuning.

Power in kW matters alongside energy in kWh. A system may generate enough annual energy and still create high import peaks at certain times.

2. Size the components together

PV capacity follows suitable area, grid and future loads. Battery storage follows shiftable electricity rather than total daily use. The heat pump follows heat load and temperature level. Each component changes the value of the others.

Oversizing may prepare for future electrification, but it should be evaluated consciously against export, control and investment.

3. Use seasonal priorities

Summer often favours battery charging, EVs, hot water and export. In the shoulder season the heat pump can absorb surplus effectively. Winter is dominated by heat demand with limited PV output. One fixed rule for the full year is inadequate.

4. Interfaces and fallback states

Devices may communicate through Modbus, local APIs, relays, SG Ready or manufacturer cloud services. Local documented interfaces are often robust, but they are not available on every product.

If the central controller fails, the battery, heat pump and protection devices must continue in safe default modes.

5. Monitor and improve

A dashboard alone is not optimisation. Useful metrics include self-consumption, import, export, peak power, battery losses, heat-pump run time and temperature trends.

When the tariff, vehicle, heating system or PV capacity changes, the rules should be reviewed.

• Monthly plausibility check
• Seasonal comparison
• Alerts for unusual import or device failure
• Documented change history