Can solar PV be used for energy storage?

Solar PV itself generates electricity when exposed to sunlight, but it doesn't inherently store energy. However, solar PV systems can be integrated with energy storage solutions to store excess electricity generated during sunny periods for later use when sunlight is unavailable, such as during the night or on cloudy days.

Common energy storage technologies used in conjunction with solar PV include batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), pumped hydro storage, and thermal energy storage systems. These storage solutions allow solar energy to be stored when production exceeds demand and then discharged when demand exceeds production, thus enabling a more consistent and reliable power supply from solar PV systems.