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Peak Shaving Battery ROI Calculator

Commercial batteries cut demand charges by discharging during peak hours.

$
$
%

Payback years

2.9

Net cost after ITC

$154,000

Annual savings

$54,000

How the math works

Net cost = system − ITC. Payback = net / annual savings.

$220k × (1 − 30%) = $154k net. $4,500 × 12 = $54k/yr. 2.9 yr payback.

How to Use

  1. Enter battery capacity kWh.
  2. Enter battery system cost.
  3. Enter avoided demand charges monthly.
  4. Enter ITC tax credit %.
  5. Enter life years.
  6. Read payback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Demand charges?

Commercial utility bills often include: (1) Energy charge $/kWh, (2) Demand charge $/kW (based on peak 15-min demand in billing period). Demand charges: $5-40/kW-month. 500 kW peak building: $2,500-20,000/month demand charges alone. 30-50% of total bill often. Batteries discharge to cut peak demand → slash demand charge.

Battery sizing?

Size for peak duration. Most commercial peaks: 2-5 hour duration afternoons. Battery kWh = peak kW reduction × hours needed. 200 kW peak reduction × 3 hours = 600 kWh battery. Cost: $300-600/kWh installed for LFP chemistry. 600 kWh battery: $180-360k. Payback 4-10 years typical with demand savings + ITC + incentives.

ITC eligibility?

IRA 2022: standalone storage eligible for 30% ITC (first time). Previously required solar pairing. Bonus ITC: domestic content +10%, energy community +10%, low-income +10-20%. Up to 70% total ITC possible. Transferable: sell to other taxpayer (80-95¢ on dollar). Direct pay for non-profits. ITC applied to total project cost (battery + inverter + install + engineering).

Performance guarantees?

Battery warranties: 70-80% capacity retention at year 10. Software-managed: real-time dispatch to avoid exceeding 15-min peak. Typical: 80-95% peak demand reduction on well-sized system. O&M: $2-6/kWh/year. Remote monitoring + dispatch: $1-3/kWh/year vendor service. 15-20 year battery life with LFP chemistry.

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