Are Solar Batteries Worth It? A Complete Guide to Battery Storage

If you’ve been thinking about installing solar panels on your home, there’s a good chance that you may have already heard about solar batteries. But are they actually worth the extra investment? Do you actually need one? And what does a solar battery even do?

A solar battery stores the extra electricity your solar panels generate during the day, so you can use it later when your panels aren’t producing much energy or none at all. Instead of sending all of your unused solar energy back to the grid, you can keep more of it for yourself. This can be particularly useful when many households are using the most electricity, which typically tends to be in the evening.

With energy prices remaining uncertain, more homeowners are searching for ways to make even better use of renewable energy, and battery storage is the perfect solution. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at how solar batteries work, the benefits they can offer, how much they cost, and, most importantly, if they’re worth it.

And if you’re still not sure? Don’t worry. That’s exactly what a free solar consultation is for.

So, What is a Solar Battery?

Put simply, a solar battery stores electricity for you to use later.

Solar panels generate electricity from daylight. If your home isn’t using all of that energy during the day at the time that it’s being produced, the excess can be stored in a battery instead of being exported to the grid. Later on in the evening, once the sun has gone down and your panels aren’t generating, you can draw on that stored energy. This means you get more from the electricity your solar panels produce.

There are several types of battery technology available, although lithium-ion batteries are currently one of the most common choices for residential solar systems. The capacities, power outputs, warranties and performance characteristics vary between different types of batteries, so choosing the right option for your home is super important.

The Benefits of Solar Battery Storage

One of the biggest solar battery benefits is pretty simple: they help you use more of your own solar energy. Instead of exporting unused electricity during the day and then buying electricity from the grid later, you can store some of your solar power that your panels have generated throughout the day and use it later. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

For a lot of households, this gives them greater energy independence and means they rely less on the grid. It can also help to lower your energy bills, depending on your usage, tariff, and how much solar generation you can use yourself. A battery can be particularly useful if your household uses lots of electricity in the evening, when your solar panels aren’t generating a lot of energy.

So, instead of generating plenty of electricity throughout the day but having to buy electricity from the grid later on when you’re actually at home and using electricity for cooking, watching TV, charging devices, etc, you can store some of that energy you’ve produced in the day and use it instead.

This increases your self-consumption, reducing how much electricity you buy and potentially helping to bring down your energy bills. It can also give you a little more control over where your electricity comes from. You’re making your own renewable energy, storing it, and then using it when you actually need it.

Want to find out how much solar energy you could store and use at home? Book your free solar consultation today for tailored advice based on your property and energy needs.

Factors to Consider Before Installing a Solar Battery

While batteries have plenty of potential benefits, they aren’t automatically the right choice for everyone. Adding a battery to your solar system is an extra investment, so you’ll want to think about whether the potential savings and benefits make sense for you.

Another thing to consider is battery lifespan and degradation. Similar to most rechargeable batteries, solar batteries gradually lose some of their storage capacity over time. When you purchase through Skyglo, we provide a 10-year warranty on our batteries for your peace of mind. So, it’s worth checking the details before making a final decision.

Is a Solar Battery Worth it for Your Home?

One of the biggest things to consider is when you use electricity. If your house is empty all day, with electricity being used in the evening once everyone is home, then a battery could be a really useful addition. On the other hand, if you’re at home throughout the day and use most of your solar electricity as it’s being generated, you may not need as much battery storage. 

If you already have solar installed, then the size of your solar PV system also matters. If your panels are regularly generating more electricity than your home needs during the day, you may have more surplus energy you can store. Your electricity tariff, household usage, and whether you already have solar panels will all play a part as well.

That’s why there’s no universal answer to “Are solar batteries worth it?” The right answer depends on your home. A free solar consultation can help you understand how a battery could fit into your home energy set-up and whether it’s likely to be a worthwhile investment for you.

How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost in the UK?

Now for the question everyone wants to ask: How much is this actually going to cost me?

Well, it varies. The prices of solar batteries in the UK can differ quite a bit depending on the battery brand, capacity, technology, installation requirements, and whether you’re adding a battery to an existing solar PV system or installing everything at the same time. The size of the battery is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The bigger the battery capacity is, the more electricity it can store; however, the biggest battery isn't always the best choice. There’s little point paying for significantly more storage than your household can realistically use. 

Thinking about installing solar and purchasing battery storage? Get in touch and book your free solar consultation today.

How Do You Choose the Right Solar Battery?

Choosing the right solar battery for your home isn’t simply about picking the biggest capacity available. Two factors are important when deciding whether a battery will meet your needs. First is the capacity. This is measured in kWh, which tells you how much energy the battery can store. And secondly, the power output, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). This tells you how quickly the battery can deliver that energy to your home. It’s also worth looking closely at the warranty length and terms. Look at how long it’s covered for, what performance is guaranteed and whether there are any limits on how much the battery can be used. 

If you already have solar panels installed, checking compatibility is vital. Your battery needs to work with your existing solar system and inverter, so it’s always important to get professional advice before making a decision.

Book your free solar consultation today to find out how much your home could save.

So, Are Solar Batteries Worth It?

For many homeowners, solar batteries are a smart way to get the most out of their solar panels. From reducing reliance on the grid, storing energy your panels have generated during the day, to possibly lowering energy bills, these are just some of the benefits homeowners can expect when they purchase a solar battery system. However, whether a battery is genuinely worth the investment for your home depends on your budget, energy habits, electricity tariff, and whether you already have a solar system installed.

If you’re curious about whether solar battery storage could be a good fit for your home, why not get some expert advice? Book your free solar consultation today.