In the face of steadily rising energy costs, more and more medium-sized businesses are looking for ways to reduce their operating costs in the long term. The German photovoltaic specialist KOSTAL is responding to this trend with a new system solution that is specifically tailored to the requirements of commercial enterprises. The aim: to optimise the self-consumption of self-generated solar power as efficiently as possible, even in power ranges well above 30 kWp.
 

A technological alliance: PIKO CI and PLENTICORE G3

At the heart of this new commercial initiative lies the technological synergy between two specialised inverter series. Whilst the tried-and-tested PIKO CI commercial inverter takes on the primary task of converting the vast amount of energy generated by industrial roofs, the PLENTICORE G3 acts as an intelligent universal inverter for energy management and battery control.

The PIKO CI is available in three compact sizes with outputs of 30, 50 and 100 kW. It is designed for modern, high-performance solar modules and handles module currents of up to 20 A per string. With up to eight MPP trackers, it also enables a flexible system design that makes optimum use of even complex roof structures with varying pitches or shading.
 

Powerful storage: up to 230 kWh capacity

Limited storage capacity has often been a critical issue for commercial PV systems in the past. KOSTAL is setting new standards in this area with its new HELIVOR HV energy storage system. The system has a modular design and can be scaled from 6.4 kWh up to an impressive 230.4 kWh.
This is made possible by the use of a so-called Combiner Box, which allows up to eight storage towers to be operated in parallel. For businesses, this means a massive increase in self-sufficiency: at peak times, this combination can reduce electricity procurement costs by 80 per cent or more. The storage system impresses not only with its capacity but also with its power output. When combined with the PLENTICORE G3, the system achieves a true 20 kW charging and discharging power. This is crucial for being able to buffer even high-power industrial loads from the battery at short notice.
 

Making clever use of tax benefits

Beyond the technical specifications, KOSTAL provides a compelling argument for finance departments: the tax aspect. In Germany, investment in such a system can be used as a genuine ‘liquidity booster’. Through the combination of:

• straight-line depreciation (AfA)
• special depreciation allowances under Section 7g of the German Income Tax Act (EStG)
• and the investment allowance (IAB)

companies can claim up to 70 per cent of the total investment costs as a tax deduction in the very first year. This immediately reduces the tax burden and significantly improves cash flow in the year of purchase.
 

Focus on safety and installation

The solution offers numerous benefits for both installers and operators alike. The PIKO CI features an integrated Smart AC Switch. For systems up to 135 kW, no additional external coupling switches are therefore generally required, which reduces installation costs.
The safety package is also comprehensive: an integrated and replaceable Type 2 (AC/DC) surge protector, as well as state-of-the-art arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection, safeguard the building and the investment. Configuration is carried out using a modern app or software tool.
 

Monitoring: Real-time energy flows

To monitor the system’s performance, KOSTAL relies on the Smart Energy Meter. This continuously measures electricity consumption and feed-in. The data is visualised in the KOSTAL Solar Portal or the Solar App. This gives businesses a constant overview of their generation, the charge status of the storage units and their current consumption.

The system is also already equipped to meet the requirements of the modern electricity grid. It supports the connection of load control units and remote control receivers and complies with the requirements of Section 14a of the German Energy Act (EnWG) regarding controllability by the grid operator.

With the combination of PIKO CI, PLENTICORE G3 and the HELIVOR storage system, KOSTAL offers a scalable, comprehensive solution that combines technical performance with significant tax benefits. For commercial enterprises, the path to energy independence is thus more cost-effective than ever before.