Is it worth getting a solar storage battery?

A solar battery allows you to store electricity produced by your solar panels and use it later or, in some cases, sell it back to the grid to make a few quid – but they're not cheap. Read on to see if it's worth getting a solar storage battery for your home... This is the first incarnation of this guide.

Should you buy a solar battery?

With a battery, you can store solar electricity throughout the day, then send it to the grid during peak times, when it’s most profitable for you. And if you get a smart battery, you can maximise your revenues by importing electricity from the grid when it’s cheap, and exporting it back when it’s expensive.

How much does a solar battery cost?

Solar batteries come with a hefty upfront cost. The actual cost will depend on your home and the size of the battery you want or need, but it can range between £1,000 and £10,000. You'll likely need two batteries during the life of your solar panels. Batteries last around 15 years, while solar panels last about 25 years.

Can you use a battery with a solar panel?

It’s always better to use a battery with solar panels though, as you can save hundreds of pounds, cut your carbon footprint, and lessen the impact of electricity price rises. For more information, check out our guide to home battery storage without solar in the UK. Can you add a solar battery to an existing solar panel system?

How do I choose the right solar battery?

One of the most important parts of choosing the right battery is to select an appropriately sized machine for your solar panel system and home. The size of a solar battery is measured in kWh instead of kW, because they store energy rather than creating it.

How much power does a solar battery have?

Only a handful of solar batteries have 100% usable capacity — most range between 90% and 95%. When shopping for a solar battery, you should always look out for the battery’s usable capacity and factor that into how much electricity your home needs.