What Is a Home Battery System?

 

A home battery is a rechargeable energy storage system installed within or alongside a residential property.

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Electricity is stored inside the battery and released when it is needed.

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A battery may be charged from:

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• solar panels

• the electricity grid

• another renewable energy source

• a combination of solar and grid electricity

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The system is normally controlled automatically.

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Modern battery management systems can decide when electricity should be stored and when it should be released based on household consumption, solar generation, electricity tariffs and battery charge levels.

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For many homeowners, very little day-to-day involvement is required once the system has been correctly configured.

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Home Battery Storage With Solar Panels

 

One of the most common reasons for installing home battery storage is to increase the amount of solar electricity that can be used within the property.

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Solar panels often produce their highest output during the middle of the day.

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Unfortunately, this is also a time when many households use relatively little electricity.

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Without a battery, surplus solar electricity may be exported to the grid.

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With solar battery storage, some of that surplus electricity can instead be stored and used later.

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For example:

Morning
The home uses electricity from the battery or grid while solar generation begins increasing.

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Daytime
Solar panels power the home and charge the battery with surplus electricity.

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Evening
As solar generation falls, stored electricity can be used to supply the home.

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Overnight
The battery continues supplying electricity until it reaches its configured minimum charge level.

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This allows homeowners to make much greater use of the electricity generated by their own solar panels.

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Solar Panels With Battery Storage

 

Installing solar panels with battery storage at the same time can provide one of the most integrated approaches to domestic renewable energy.

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The solar array, inverter, battery and monitoring equipment can all be designed as part of the same system.

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However, homeowners who already have solar panels should not assume that it is too late to add battery storage.

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A battery can often be retrofitted to an existing solar installation.

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The most appropriate arrangement will depend on the existing inverter, electrical installation, solar system and the type of battery being considered.

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A competent installer should assess the existing installation before recommending the most suitable solution.

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Can You Have a Home Battery Without Solar Panels?

 

Yes.

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A home battery does not necessarily require solar panels.

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Some households use batteries to charge electricity from the grid during lower-cost periods and then use the stored electricity when grid prices are higher.

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This can be particularly attractive for homeowners using electricity tariffs that vary according to the time of day.

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A battery-only installation may therefore provide benefits even where installing solar panels is difficult or impractical.

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However, the financial case depends heavily on:

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• electricity consumption

• tariff structure

• battery capacity

• charging and discharging efficiency

• installation cost

• expected battery life

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Adding solar panels can substantially change the economics because the household gains its own source of electricity generation.

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What Is Home Battery Backup?

 

Home battery backup refers to using stored electricity when the normal electricity supply is unavailable.

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It is important to understand that not every home battery installation automatically provides backup power during a power cut.

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Many conventional solar systems are designed to shut down when the grid fails. This protects engineers who may be working on electricity distribution equipment.

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Providing backup power therefore requires suitable equipment and system design.

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Depending on the installation, backup may supply:

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• selected essential circuits

• lighting

• refrigeration

• communications equipment

• heating controls

• computers

• security equipment

• selected sockets

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Larger systems may be capable of supporting considerably more of the property.

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If solar battery backup is an important reason for installing a system, this should be discussed with the installer at the design stage rather than assumed afterwards.

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How Big Should a Home Battery Be?

 

The right battery size is different for every household.

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Installing the largest battery available is not automatically the best solution.

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Battery capacity should be considered alongside:

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• annual electricity consumption

• daytime and evening energy demand

• solar panel system size

• typical surplus solar generation

• electric vehicle charging

• heat pumps

• air conditioning

• electric cooking

• future home improvements

• electricity tariffs

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A household using relatively little electricity may gain limited benefit from a very large battery.

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Conversely, a property with an electric vehicle, heat pump, air conditioning and substantial evening electricity demand may benefit from significantly greater storage capacity.

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The objective should be to create a balanced system rather than simply install the largest battery that will fit.

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Usable Battery Capacity

 

When comparing home batteries, homeowners should pay attention to usable capacity rather than simply the headline battery size.

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Battery capacity is normally expressed in kilowatt-hours, or kWh.

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However, some batteries may retain a proportion of their total capacity to protect the battery and improve its long-term life.

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The usable capacity therefore represents the amount of stored energy that can normally be accessed by the homeowner.

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This is one reason why two apparently similar batteries may perform differently in real-world use.

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Battery Power Output

 

Capacity and power output are not the same thing.

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Battery capacity determines how much electricity can be stored.

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Power output determines how much electricity the battery can provide at a particular time.

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This distinction becomes particularly important in properties with high-demand appliances.

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Electric ovens, kettles, induction hobs, heat pumps, electric showers, EV chargers and air conditioning can create substantial instantaneous demand.

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A well-designed system therefore considers both how much energy needs to be stored and how quickly that electricity may need to be delivered.

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Tesla Powerwall and Other Home Batteries

 

The Tesla Powerwall has helped make home battery storage widely recognised among homeowners.

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However, it is only one of a growing number of domestic battery systems available in the UK.

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Homeowners searching for a Tesla home battery should compare the wider market before deciding which system is best suited to their property.

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Different battery systems may vary in:

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• usable capacity

• power output

• installation requirements

• backup capability

• monitoring software

• compatibility with solar systems

• expandability

• warranty

• physical dimensions

• appearance

• price

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Brand recognition is useful, but the most suitable battery is ultimately the one that works effectively with the property, solar system and household energy requirements.

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Can Home Batteries Be Expanded Later?

 

Some battery systems are modular.

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This allows additional battery capacity to be added in the future if household electricity consumption increases.

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This can be useful where homeowners expect future changes such as:

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• purchasing an electric vehicle

• installing a heat pump

• adding air conditioning

• building an extension

• creating a home office

• increasing solar panel capacity

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However, expansion possibilities vary between manufacturers and battery systems.

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If future expansion is likely, it is sensible to discuss this before choosing the initial battery installation.

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Where Can a Home Battery Be Installed?

 

Home batteries can potentially be installed in a number of locations depending on the product and property.

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Possible locations may include:

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• garages

• utility rooms

• plant rooms

• external walls

• purpose-designed enclosures

• suitable outbuildings

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Location should not be chosen purely for convenience.

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The installer will need to consider matters including ventilation, temperature, access, electrical connections, manufacturer requirements and fire safety.

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The battery also needs to be positioned somewhere that allows safe servicing and maintenance.

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Home Battery Systems and Electric Vehicles

 

Battery storage can form part of a much wider home energy system.

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For households with electric vehicles, solar panels and battery storage can work together to reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid.

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A typical system might include:

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Solar panels generating electricity.

Home battery storage retaining surplus generation.

Smart energy controls deciding how electricity should be distributed.

EV charging using solar or stored energy where possible.

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The design becomes even more interesting when other electrical systems are added, including heat pumps and air conditioning.

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Rather than considering each product separately, homeowners can increasingly design the property around a coordinated energy system.

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Home Batteries and Air Conditioning

 

Solar generation and air conditioning can complement one another particularly well because cooling demand is often highest during sunny weather.

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During the day, solar panels may directly contribute towards running air conditioning.

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Surplus electricity can potentially charge the home battery for use later.

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This allows homeowners to think beyond simply reducing electricity bills and consider how locally generated electricity can improve comfort within the home.

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Are Home Batteries Worth It?

 

Whether a home battery represents good value depends on the individual property and how electricity is used.

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Battery storage may be particularly attractive where:

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• the property already has solar panels

• substantial solar electricity is exported during the day

• electricity consumption is high in the evening

• the household uses a variable electricity tariff

• greater energy independence is important

• backup electricity is required

• an EV or heat pump is being considered

• the homeowner wants to maximise self-consumption of renewable energy

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The financial calculation should consider the complete system rather than looking only at the battery price.

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Battery Storage as Part of a Green Home

 

The most effective home energy improvements are often those designed together.

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A property might eventually incorporate:

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• solar photovoltaic panels

• home battery storage

• electric vehicle charging

• heat pump heating

• solar-assisted hot water

• air conditioning

• heat recovery ventilation

• improved insulation

• smart energy controls

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Considering these technologies together can help avoid installing one system today that makes another improvement more difficult tomorrow.

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For homeowners planning significant investment in their property, a whole-house approach can therefore be particularly valuable.

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Choosing a Home Battery Installer

 

Battery storage involves considerably more than simply fixing a battery to a wall.

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The installer should understand the property's electrical demand, existing solar equipment and future energy requirements.

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Before appointing an installer, homeowners should ask about:

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• proposed battery capacity

• usable capacity

• maximum power output

• expected battery life

• warranty

• backup capability

• monitoring software

• solar compatibility

• future expansion

• installation location

• electrical protection

• certification

• ongoing technical support

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A good installer should be able to explain why a particular battery system has been recommended rather than simply offering whichever product they normally sell.

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Get Quotes for Home Battery Storage

 

Home battery systems can help households make better use of solar electricity, reduce reliance on grid energy and create a more flexible home energy system.

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The right solution depends on the property, electricity consumption and the technologies already installed or being considered.

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APN Solar can help homeowners explore solar panels, solar battery storage and integrated home energy systems and connect with experienced installers covering their area.

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Whether you are adding battery storage to an existing solar installation or planning a completely new solar and battery system, obtaining appropriate advice at the beginning can help ensure the system is correctly sized for both your current and future needs.

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Planning solar or home battery storage?

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Explore your options, compare solutions and request quotations from experienced solar and battery installers through the APN network.