get more from your home solar system
How does solar battery storage work?
You’ve invested in solar panels to generate free electricity during daylight hours. But what happens to any power you don’t use straight away?
Solar battery storage can help you keep more of the free electricity your panels produce, reducing your reliance on expensive grid power and cutting your bills even further.
Solar batteries work alongside your existing panels to store excess electricity for later use. Instead of sending unused solar power back to the grid, you can save it to power your home in the evenings or on cloudy days.
This page explains how solar batteries work, their benefits, and how to choose the right system for your home.
What is solar battery storage?
Solar storage batteries connect directly to your home’s solar panels and electrical network. They capture and store any excess electricity your panels generate during sunny periods, making it available when your panels aren’t producing enough power to meet your needs.
These systems consist of three main parts: the battery unit itself, a battery inverter and smart controls. As your solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, it passes through an inverter to become alternating current (AC) power for your home. When you generate more power than you’re using, the excess electricity charges the battery instead of being exported to the grid.
Today’s solar batteries use advanced cells like those in electric vehicles, but they’re optimised for your home, offering excellent performance and longevity. A typical home battery system stores between 5-13.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. To put this in context, an average UK home uses about 8-10 kWh per day, so a fully charged battery can power most homes through the evening and into the night.
Solar battery systems mount safely on your wall, usually in your garage or utility room. They integrate seamlessly with your existing solar setup, automatically storing spare power and releasing it when needed.
When does your battery storage system activate?
Your solar battery system works automatically throughout the day. During peak sunlight hours, when your panels generate more power than you’re using, the excess electricity charges your battery. As the sun sets and your panels produce less power, your battery takes over, supplying stored electricity to keep your appliances running.
The system also provides backup power during grid outages, keeping your essential devices running when the mains supply fails. In winter, when solar generation reduces, your battery can help bridge the gap between shorter generation periods. The smart controller ensures smooth transitions between different power sources, maintaining a reliable electricity supply year-round.
Getting the most from your battery storage
Understanding your energy use patterns will help you maximise the benefits of solar battery storage. Most systems include monitoring apps that show your real-time generation, storage and consumption. This information will help you plan when to use power-hungry appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. Running these appliances during daylight hours, when your panels are generating electricity, will keep your battery charged for evening use.
Many systems offer programmable settings to automate charging and discharging based on your typical use patterns. Some can even check your local weather forecasts to optimise your charging strategy. You can also set your battery to retain some charge for unexpected needs or power cuts for additional peace of mind.
Benefits of solar battery storage
Adding battery storage to your solar system can significantly reduce your electricity bills.
By storing excess solar power instead of exporting it to the grid, you’ll import less expensive electricity during peak evening hours. Many households can cut their grid electricity use by 70%-80%.
Battery storage can increase your energy independence by reducing your exposure to rising electricity prices. Backup power helps keep your lights on and essential appliances running during power cuts.
Using more of your solar generation locally also improves your environmental impact. Every unit of solar electricity you store and use means one less unit generated by fossil fuels. This reduces your carbon footprint while supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy.
Common questions about battery storage
How much does a solar battery system cost?
A solar battery system typically costs upwards of £5,000 plus installation. The exact price will depend on the make and model, storage capacity and the features you choose.
How long do solar batteries last?
Solar battery systems last ten to 15 years on average. Most manufacturers provide warranties that cover ten years or a specific number of charging cycles.
What savings can I expect?
Most households can save between £300-600 each year by reducing their grid electricity imports. At this rate, solar battery systems usually pay for themselves within seven to ten years.
Do solar batteries need much maintenance?
No. These systems need very little maintenance. They monitor their own performance and alert you through the app if any issues arise. Software updates happen automatically to maintain optimal performance.
How do solar batteries perform throughout the year?
Solar batteries work well all year round. While you’ll store less power during winter due to reduced solar generation, the system remains effective. Feed-in tariffs are minimally affected since most stored power is used in the home rather than exported.
How long does installation take?
Installation typically takes one or two days. The process requires no structural changes to your home, and our technicians manage everything to ensure your system works perfectly from the start.
How can we help?
At Electrical Innovations (Derby) Ltd, we supply and install high-quality solar battery systems from leading manufacturers, including the new Tesla Powerwall 3.
Our expert team will assess your current setup and energy use to recommend the right battery solution for your needs. We’ll manage the entire process, from initial survey through to installation and setup.
Contact us today to discuss adding battery storage to your solar system. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions and provide a detailed quote for your ideal setup.
