Integration with solar

While a home battery can work independently, it is most effective when integrated with a solar PV system. This combination allows you to store the free, renewable electricity you generate during the day for use at night, rather than exporting it to the grid.

Why combine solar and batteries?

Without a battery, a typical UK household with solar panels only uses about 25% to 30% of the electricity they generate. The rest is sent back to the grid.

By adding a battery, you can increase your “self-consumption” to 70% or even 80%. This significantly reduces your electricity bills because you are buying much less power from your supplier at peak rates.

How the system works

  1. Generation: Your solar panels produce DC electricity from sunlight.
  2. Conversion: A hybrid inverter (or a separate battery inverter) manages the flow of electricity.
  3. Priority 1 (The Home): Electricity is first sent to power any appliances currently running in your home.
  4. Priority 2 (The Battery): Any excess electricity is diverted to charge the battery.
  5. Priority 3 (The Grid): If the home’s needs are met and the battery is full, the remaining power is exported to the grid (earning you money via SEG).
  6. Discharge: When the sun goes down and generation stops, the battery discharges to power the home.

Retrofitting vs New Installation

  • New Installation: We recommend using a Hybrid Inverter. This single unit manages both the solar panels and the battery, making the system more efficient and easier to monitor.
  • Retrofit: If you already have solar panels, you can add a battery using an AC-coupled inverter. This connects to your home’s existing wiring and doesn’t require you to replace your current solar inverter.

Sizing for Solar

When integrating with solar, your battery should ideally be sized to match your daily excess generation.

  • Too small: Your battery will fill up by midday, and you’ll export the afternoon’s sun to the grid.
  • Too large: Your solar panels may not be able to fully charge the battery during the winter months, although you can still charge from the grid.

Energy Management: Most solar-battery systems come with a smartphone app. You can see in real-time how much you are generating, how much is in the battery, and whether you are importing or exporting to the grid.