Battery storage
Use your own energy after dark.
A home battery stores electricity from your solar panels, or from cheap off-peak tariffs, so you can use it when you need it. Compare approved installers for battery-only or solar-and-battery systems.
Why pair a battery with solar
Without storage, much of a typical home's solar generation is exported during the day while you buy electricity back in the evening. A battery shifts that energy to when you actually use it, increasing self-consumption.
Batteries without solar
Batteries can also charge from the grid on cheap overnight tariffs and discharge at peak times. Whether that stacks up depends on your tariff, usage and the battery's cost, so ask installers to model it honestly.
Capacity, power and cycles
Capacity (kWh) is how much a battery stores; power (kW) is how fast it can deliver it. Most homes install 5 to 15 kWh. Warranties are usually expressed in years and in total energy throughput or cycles.
Costs
What affects the price
We don't publish a single price because there isn't one. These are the things that move your quotes up or down.
- 01
Capacity
Larger batteries cost more. Oversizing wastes money; undersizing limits benefit. Installers should size to your usage.
- 02
Chemistry and brand
Most modern home batteries are lithium iron phosphate. Brands differ in warranty, efficiency and app quality.
- 03
Hybrid or AC-coupled
Retrofitting to existing solar often uses an AC-coupled battery; new systems may use a hybrid inverter.
- 04
Backup capability
Powering circuits during an outage needs extra hardware and configuration.
- 05
Location and mounting
Garage, utility room or external wall affect installation complexity and any enclosure needs.
- 06
Electrical upgrades
Some installs require consumer unit changes or additional protection devices.
At the survey
What a good installer will check
Every approved installer surveys before quoting. Expect them to look at these.
- Your half-hourly or typical usage pattern
- Existing solar system and inverter compatibility
- Suitable, ventilated, accessible location
- Tariff options and expected charging strategy
- Consumer unit capacity and protection
- Grid notification requirements for export
- Whether backup during outages is wanted and feasible
- Fire safety guidance for the chosen location
Questions
Common questions
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