How did home photovoltaic power plants with batteries perform during the July outage?
Home photovoltaic power plants performed very well during the July blackout. There was sunny weather that day, so most systems with battery storage had enough energy for basic household operation. However, it’s important to remember that the goal of these systems is not to enable unlimited consumption – for example, doing laundry all day or running air conditioning at full blast. The generated energy needs to be used efficiently because it’s uncertain when the grid will be restored or whether weather changes might significantly limit production. The backup principle is simple – the system switches to so-called backup mode, either manually or automatically through smart controls. The Infigy system optimizes energy consumption in which the transition to backup mode is handled by an inverter. It then ensures that non-essential appliances don’t unnecessarily drain the battery.
Did widespread home voltaics cause the blackout, help prevent it, or are they part of the solution?
According to official information from ČEPS, photovoltaic power plants had no direct influence on July’s outage. The cause was purely a technical failure on line V411. This was a mechanical failure, not a problem caused by decentralized energy production. More generally though, households equipped with battery storage can help stabilize the rest of the distribution network in such cases. By blocking energy consumption from the grid or switching to island mode, they reduce pressure on the infrastructure and contribute to faster restoration of balance.
What impact do home systems have compared to large solar power plants?
We don’t have precise figures for a direct comparison of the impact of home systems versus large installations (e.g., corporate, or municipal). Generally, however, the two forms of production complement each other. Home systems are beneficial especially from the perspective of decentralization and relieving the distribution network. Thanks to them, it’s possible to produce and consume energy directly at the point of need, which increases efficiency and reduces transmission losses. Large power plants, on the other hand, offer more stable output and play a key role in the overall balance. The combination of both types of production – together with smart control and storage – is key to resilient and flexible energy systems of the future.
So, do you think they help diversify energy sources instead of creating more problems than solutions?
Home photovoltaic power plants significantly contribute to the diversification of energy sources in the Czech Republic. This is a renewable, local, and ecological energy source that is independent of fossil fuels. Thanks to energy being consumed directly at the point of production, there is lower load on the transmission system, higher household self-sufficiency, and smaller distribution losses. They’re also an efficient use of roof space that reduces the need to acquire and fill land, which is another ecological advantage. However, it’s crucial that these sources are smartly controlled. All renewable sources have variable output – for example, photovoltaics depend on sunlight. Thanks to platforms like Infigy, it’s possible to synchronize consumption with production so that as much energy as possible is used while the the sun is shining. That’s the way to ensure stability of the entire system while getting the most out of the energy that’s generated.
Jiří Šizling is co-owner of Infigy
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