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?

Do you need a solar battery?

Solar batteries can also work to store electricity bought from the grid without installing solar panels. You might be wondering why you need to do this, but it may be useful in the future when time-of-use tariffs become more widely available in the UK.

Can you use solar panels without battery storage?

If battery storage isn’t in the cards for now, don’t worry! You can still use your solar panels to power your home without battery storage. In fact, a majority of home solar systems aren’t connected to battery storage. Here’s how it works: Early morning and evening are times with lower solar production, but higher energy needs.

Is it worth getting a solar battery with solar panels?

Getting a solar battery with solar panels is worth it to maximize your panels’ electricity. However, it might not be so worth it if you’re purely looking for financial benefit, and you’ll need two within the typical lifespan of your solar panel system. That means a typical break-even point of around 24 years

Why should you buy a solar battery?

You'll be able to use more of the electricity you generate. This should reduce your energy bills – and your carbon footprint. For example, if you're not at home during the day to use the energy your solar panels are generating, having a battery will enable you to store (and later use) energy from your solar panels.

Do I need a solar battery storage system?

However, if you already have solar panels, you’ll need an AC (alternating current) battery. This is much easier to retrofit to an existing system, as it’s connected via the electricity meter, but it also requires an additional inverter. You should always seek professional help when choosing and installing a solar battery storage system.