What is battery storage, how will I benefit from it and how many do I need?

What is battery storage, how will I benefit from it and how many do I need?

Battery storage technology is an age-old system that has been developed to complement your solar PV system by storing excess electricity that would otherwise be exported to the grid or if the house power is satisfied the inverter lowers the output to what is required which is also considered a waste of potential production. It's like having a savings account for your energy – any extra power produced during sunny days is stored in batteries and can be used when the sun isn't shining, such as during the evening or on cloudy days.

By integrating solar PV battery storage into your system, you gain several compelling benefits. First and foremost, you'll significantly reduce your reliance on the grid and potentially even become energy independent. This means lower electricity bills and protection against future energy price hikes. The future potential use of battery storage to stabilise the grid and make a passive income from this is very exciting and will, in turn, help the environment. By using stored solar energy instead of drawing from the grid, your reducing carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner planet.

Financially, solar PV battery storage can be a wise investment with a 5kWh battery costing an average £2500. Over time, the savings on your energy bills can help recoup the initial investment, and the value and saleability of your property might increase due to the added sustainability.

In summary, solar PV battery storage has become a key element for our customers in harnessing the full potential of their solar panel production, saving money, increasing energy independence, and making a positive impact on the environment. It's a forward-thinking solution that aligns with your financial, environmental, and energy needs, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for you and the generations to come.

When you have decided battery storage is for you then the next step is to determine the right amount of solar PV battery storage for your home. This involves considering a few key factors to ensure you get the right-sized battery storage system. Here's a simplified guide to help you understand these key factors:

• Your Energy Usage: Take a look at your past electricity bills to see how much energy you use on average. This gives us an idea of the energy we need to store for you. For example, if you use around 20 kWh a day then 10kWh of battery storage would on average be the correct amount. 
• Solar PV System Size: If you already have solar panels or are planning to install them, the size of the system matters. Bigger systems create more energy to store and if the system has been sized correctly this gives us an indication of what battery storage will be required. As a rule of thumb use the below figures as a rough guide to what battery storage commonly goes with each solar PV system:
• 3.6KW Inverter 5-10kWh battery storage
• 5KW Inverter 10kWh battery storage
• 8KW Inverter 10-15kWh battery storage
• 10KW Inverter 15-20kWh battery storage

Please refer to my other blogs to reference what size solar pv you require based on the size of your house as a guide to required battery storage 

When You Use Energy: We'll look at when you use the most energy as this helps us size the required battery storage. If you work from home then there is the ability to utilise solar production in the day meaning you require less storage but if you aren’t able to utilise the production in the day and are high users at night time then you’ll require larger battery storage. 

• Island Mode: If you want to have power during outages, we'll calculate how much battery capacity you need to keep your essential devices running. You should also be aware that island mode doesn’t come as standard and requires additional work to be carried out so the batteries can run in island mode. 
• Budget: Every client has a budget so we also need to consider this when sizing up the battery storage as it’s the highest single item cost in a system. Additional Battery storage can be added at a later date when additional funds are available and it’s a very easy process if considered in the initial installation. 
• Future Plans: Let us know if you have plans to add things like electric vehicles or new appliances. This helps us make sure your system can handle your future energy needs.

If you wish to seek advice then our team of experts will guide you through this process. By working together, we'll help you choose the perfect solar PV battery storage size for your home, ensuring you enjoy the benefits of clean, reliable energy tailored to your lifestyle.