Yotta Energy Replaces Ballast Blocks with Battery Storage
Yotta Energy, an energy storage startup, has introduced the Yotta Block, an innovative evolution of its SolarLEAF battery. This new solution is designed to replace traditional ballast blocks in solar arrays, providing one kilowatt of battery storage without requiring additional storage space.
According to Yotta CEO Jordan Harris, one significant challenge faced by the company’s founders was determining the optimal location for battery installation. “Where you want to put them doesn’t always overlap with where you’re able to put them; that becomes a significant challenge that adds costs and complexity,” he explained in an interview with pv magazine USA.
The idea to co-locate batteries with rooftop solar led to the development of the Yotta Block, which matches the dimensions and weight of a standard ballast block. By swapping in the Yotta Block, existing space is utilized more effectively, adding energy storage capabilities without the need for extra room. Furthermore, the Yotta Block is compatible with all major racking systems.
Harris noted that the installation cost and time for the Yotta Block are effectively negligible compared to a ballast block since it does not occupy additional space or add extra weight. The lithium-iron phosphate blocks are priced at $900 per kilowatt-hour per unit, and companies can purchase them directly from Yotta or through distributors such as Greentech Renewables.
While the price may initially seem high, Harris encourages commercial and industrial developers to consider the broader project costs. “Hardware is only one part of the project, but soft costs in the small and medium C&I market can be considerable,” he stated, adding that these soft costs can account for 30% to 40% of total project expenses. By standardizing solutions that deploy everything on the roof, soft costs can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
This approach leads to standardized equipment and installation processes, meaning that no additional infrastructure upgrades are required to incorporate Yotta Blocks. The plug-and-play feature, along with reduced size and fewer parts, makes them competitive against other storage solutions, particularly for large companies managing multiple buildings.
For businesses overseeing hundreds or thousands of properties, it is impractical to make technology decisions on a project-by-project basis. “In those situations, companies want to make a single tech decision that standardizes everything as much as possible and deploy it across their entire footprint,” Harris explained, mentioning an upcoming project with an American dollar store corporation that aims to implement solar and storage solutions across its operations.
While the layout of solar arrays may vary, the fundamental components remain the same. “The installation and maintenance teams are already familiar with ballast blocks and have established processes for their installation,” Harris said. “Our batteries integrate seamlessly, greatly streamlining the process, which results in cost savings and enhanced economic viability.”
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