Solar panels are an excellent solution for reducing your energy bills, but with the addition of a solar battery storage system, you can have even more control over your energy usage.
Many homeowners are choosing to invest in solar batteries to boost the efficiency of their existing solar PV systems. By storing excess solar energy, you can use it whenever you need it – at night, on cloudy days, or during power cuts. You can also sell energy back to the grid for even more savings.
But are solar batteries worth the extra cost? Keep reading to see what our renewable energy experts think. We explore cost-saving and environmental benefits, things to consider and what types of batteries are available.
Factors to consider when getting a solar battery
Making your home more sustainable is an exciting journey. But before you jump straight in, it’s important to understand your energy consumption and potential savings.
Your household energy usage
The first and arguably most important thing you should do when deciding whether a solar battery system is worth it for your household is to think about your energy requirements. How much electricity do you use? What time of day is your energy usage highest? Do you live in a particularly gloomy area?
At Going Green Renewables, we can help you understand your household energy usage to find the best energy-saving solution. We’ll happily provide you with an esitmation of your energy bill savings and a free quote for your solar battery installation.
Power outages in your local area
While we are pretty lucky in the UK, some situations, like severe weather, make power outages difficult to handle. According to UK Power, the average power cut can last up to 151 minutes, with 23% of people asked saying they experience power cuts yearly.
With a battery storage system, you can easily combat power outages by utilising stored energy to power your household.
Government incentives
With the government’s plans to become net zero by 2050, many grants and incentives are available to help UK households become more energy efficient. You should keep an eye on the government website for the most up-to-date solar incentives.
Currently, when you make certain energy-saving installations on residential properties, you will benefit from 0% VAT. This recent government scheme is running until 31 March 2027, when VAT will revert back to a reduced rate of 5%.
Types of solar batteries
When deciding on a solar battery for your home system, you have several options to choose from. Each type can affect the cost and performance of your overall solar PV system.
Lead-acid
Lead-acid batteries are an older style of solar battery. They are usually on the cheaper side and have a decent lifespan, making them an affordable and reliable choice for home battery storage installations.
However, they can be bulkier and require regular maintenance to keep them in good order. Lead-acid batteries might be a bit old for your solar system, especially with some of the more modern solutions available.
Lithium-ion batteries
On the flip side, you have lithium-ion batteries. These are modern, lightweight, and long-lasting solar batteries. They offer more storage, faster charging times, and ultimately better performance than their outdated counterparts.
Lithium-ion solar batteries typically cost a little more, but their lifespan and efficiency make them a great investment for people looking to store excess electricity.
Modular
Modular batteries are designed to be connected together to create more flexibility. They are a good choice for properties looking to scale their solar PV system, as they can be combined in various ways to increase the solar battery storage capacity.
AC-coupled
Most solar batteries are DC-coupled, meaning they need an inverter to convert the DC electricity into AC electricity that can be used around your home. An AC-coupled solar battery negates the need for an inverter as it connects directly to the grid. However, they are typically more common in commercial solar installations.
What are the benefits of solar batteries?
Still wondering if a solar battery is the right choice? Take a look at how installing a solar battery can make a real difference to your home.
Energy independence
If you use a lot of energy during peak hours (when most of the population is cooking dinner and washing their clothes) or experience regular power cuts, a solar battery can help you become more energy-independent. By storing solar power during quieter periods, you can reduce your grid electricity consumption.
Lower energy bills
Solar batteries generate most of their electricity during the day, which is usually when people are out of the house. This means some of the valuable green energy your panels make could go to waste, and you might have to rely more on grid electricity during peak hours.
With a solar battery installation, you can save some of the energy your solar panels generate during the day and use it later on. This reduces your reliance on harmful and costly grid energy.
Not only do solar batteries reduce your energy bills, but you can even get paid for unused energy. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme allows you to divert any excess energy back to the grid in exchange for cash.
Environmental benefits
People are becoming more environmentally conscious nowadays – investing in reusable coffee cups, ethical brands and, of course, renewable energy. With a solar battery, you can increase your sustainable energy production and reduce your impact on the environment.
Provides backup power
Depending on the product you choose, solar batteries have a decent storage capacity. This gives you ample backup power to charge your appliances at night, during power outages or when the weather is gloomy.
Increases solar power usage
Solar batteries enable you to use more of the energy your solar panels produce, making the system even more efficient. You can use this extra solar energy at any point during the day (or night) and no longer have to worry about paying for expensive energy.
What are the disadvantages of solar batteries?
Solar batteries can help you save money and improve your carbon footprint. But like any property upgrade, it’s important to weigh up all the factors to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
Upfront solar battery costs
Installing solar batteries comes with some upfront costs, such as materials and installation costs. However, if you’re looking to save more energy and build a more environmentally friendly home, the initial cost is worth it in the long run.
Depending on the size and model you need, solar batteries cost anywhere between a few hundred pounds and a few thousand pounds. You can contact our trusted solar installers to get a better idea of how much your battery storage system might cost.
Space
Solar panels can take up quite a bit of space, whether they’re installed on your roof or mounted in your garden. If you already have panels installed, the battery shouldn’t take up much more space, but you’ll still have to find a suitable location in an accessible cupboard, utility room or garage.
Modern batteries tend to be lighter and more compact, making them a good choice if you have little space to work with.
Battery charging capacity
Over time, solar batteries may lose some of their charge, especially if they aren’t in use. This is known as self-discharge and may result in your battery storing less energy for shorter periods. You should think about your long-term needs when choosing a solar battery, as some models are more efficient than others.
Looking for a replacement battery? Contact us to find out if your solar battery needs fixing or replacing.
Maintenance requirements
While newer batteries, like the lithium-ion system, require less work, some older solar batteries may need the occasional maintenance service. This includes checking their storage capacity and running tests to keep them working for as long as possible. Learn more about the maintenance of solar batteries in our blog.
Thinking of adding a solar battery to your solar panel system? Get in touch
If you’re ready to take your solar investments one step further and install a battery storage system, we are more than happy to help. We support clients with a range of solar installations, offering friendly guidance and support from the moment you reach out to installation and beyond.
I can not recommend Going Green highly enough, great people, great service, great price, excellent system. Andy, Jay and crew installed 5kw PV and 20kw Sunsynk batteries and inverter for me in addition to my existing PV panels. The whole process from quote, DNO application, scheduling, installation, commissioning and after service was flawless and highly professional whilst also being incredibly friendly. Fantastic!
– Nev P.
If you want to upgrade your existing solar PV system and save even more money, get in touch today. We’ll assess your energy needs and provide a free quote.
Want to learn more? Take a look at our blog to find out what you can do with your excess solar energy.