According to the company, the Fronius hybrid inverter can be used when there is no immediate demand for self-generated solar power by storing the energy for use at a later time. This means that stored electricity could also be used during the night, for example.

Further key advantages include increased self-consumption along with a more independent power supply. In addition, the power supply is maintained in the event of a grid failure.

Fronius reports that the storage unit can be easily expanded - and the battery retrofitted - at any time. By harnessing innovative communication channels such as web server, WLAN and Ethernet, system operators have an overview of their PV system performance constantly at hand. The device will be available in 2014.

It follows other announcements by companies looking to address the Energy Storage space. CentroSolar are also working on a product able to store PV-derived power.

There are more storage technologies than one may imagine. Batteries are the primary format, but other technologies are being developed...