Your own power, long after sunset.
A battery holds what your panels make by day, so the evening runs on electricity you made yourself.
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How a battery changes your evening
Most homes use the most electricity between five and ten at night, after the panels have stopped. A battery moves your daytime power into that window.
Without a battery, the surplus you make at two in the afternoon is sold to the grid for a few pence, and at seven you buy it back at full price. With a battery, that afternoon power cooks dinner, runs the washing machine and charges the phones, and you buy far less back.
We size the battery to your evenings, using the 12 months of bills from the survey. It is large enough to carry the house through the night and small enough that you are not paying for capacity you never fill.
Smart tariffs, in plain terms
A battery also lets you buy cheap overnight power and use it in the day. We set this up for you.
- A cheaper overnight rate
- Several suppliers offer a low rate for a few hours overnight. The battery charges on it, then runs the house in the morning before the sun is up.
- Payment for what you export
- Under the Smart Export Guarantee your supplier pays for surplus power. We register you and choose the tariff that suits your household.
- Scheduling done for you
- We set the battery to charge and discharge at the right times before handover, and show you how to change it if your routine changes.
- Checked at year one
- At the twelve-month review we compare what the tariff actually did with the forecast, and move you if a better option has appeared.
Adding a battery to panels you already have
If your panels went up a few years ago, a battery can change what they are worth to you.
Older systems were often designed around export payments that no longer exist, so a large share of what they make leaves the house. A battery keeps it.
At the survey we check your inverter, your consumer unit and your current export arrangement, and tell you whether a battery pays its way on your roof.
- Your inverter: some take a battery directly, others need a separate unit
- Where the battery goes: garage, utility room or loft, agreed with you
- Your export tariff, and whether it should change
- Any work the consumer unit needs
What a battery does in a power cut
The two are often confused, so this is the difference.
- A standard battery switches off
- In a power cut, a normal solar and battery system shuts down to protect engineers working on the lines. The battery holds its charge but does not power the house.
- Backup needs extra equipment
- A backup-capable system adds a changeover device and a protected circuit. The lights, the fridge, the boiler controls and the router keep running.
- It is part of Independence
- Backup for key circuits is included in our Independence system. Ask at the survey if you want it with a smaller system.
- Your home stays on the grid
- A battery lowers what you buy. It does not take you off the grid, and we will not tell you it does.
Questions about batteries
Do I need a battery?
Not always. If someone is home in the day, solar alone can work well. If your home is empty by day and busy in the evening, a battery usually makes a big difference. Your plan shows both options.
How long does a battery last?
Home batteries are designed for well over a decade of daily use and carry a manufacturer warranty. The warranty terms for the battery in your system are set out in your plan before you sign.
Where does the battery go?
Usually the garage, a utility room or the loft, near the consumer unit if possible. We agree the spot with you at the survey.
Can I add a battery later?
Yes. Every Essential system uses a hybrid inverter, so a battery can be added without replacing it.
How much does a system cost?
It depends on your roof, your usage and whether you add a battery, which is why we price after the survey. Your price is then fixed in writing in your Home Energy Plan.
See what your roof could do.
- 1
Tell us about your home
Five short questions. It takes about a minute.
- 2
We call you
Your project lead rings within one working day to arrange a time.
- 3
Survey and plan
We visit, design your system and send your written Home Energy Plan. There is no obligation to go ahead.
Book your free home survey
Thank you. We will call you within one working day.
Your project lead will ring to arrange your survey. It helps to have a recent electricity bill to hand.
We install for homeowners.
Solar needs the owner's agreement. If you rent, we are happy to speak with your landlord.