Households with existing solar panels will already understand the benefits and savings of solar-generated electricity. However, you will also know that whilst modern solar panels are very efficient even in low don’t operate at night, and if you are out during the day a portion of your solar-generated electricity is being exported to the grid. so you could be saving even more by incorporating battery storage into your existing solar panel system!
A few years ago, there were some significant supply-chain issues with battery modules for the solar industry, which meant that batteries were either not available for new solar installations, and where they were available the costs were sometimes prohibitive. This meant a large number of solar panel systems were installed without battery storage when this could have been a substantial benefit.
Why would I add Battery Storage to my existing Solar Panel System?
Solar panels work very well without a battery system, and in some cases adding a battery may not be the right option. However, for most people, adding battery storage to a solar panel system can make a big difference to the potential savings.
Without a battery as part of the system, solar panels will generate electricity during daylight hours, and this electricity can go one of two ways. Firstly, the electricity can be used immediately in the home – the electricity flows from the panels, through the inverter and is used to power whatever appliances are demanding energy at that particular moment in time. The second option, is that if there is no demand for the generated electricity in the home, the energy is exported to the grid, and you will receive a payment for that electricity based on the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff offered by your energy supplier.
The benefits of adding battery storage to a solar panel system…
Retro-fitting a battery to the system adds a third option. The electricity generated by the panels can be stored, allowing it to be used at a later time. Meaning the free, clean, renewable electricity can be used at night, during peak times, or to charge an EV overnight. This means less energy imported from the grid, and more savings! Plus, if you still generate more electricity than you can use or can be stored in the battery, it can still be exported as before!
Can a battery be added to my existing solar panel system?
Yes, in the majority of cases it is quite easy to add a battery to an existing solar panel system. As we already mentioned, there have been supply issues with batteries in the past, meaning there are a number of systems that people are now looking to upgrade. Here at SolarTherm UK we often add battery storage to existing solar panel systems and have a range of options available. Occasionally there may need to be some adaptations made to an existing system, but this will depend on the configuration and type of inverter fitted – our team will be able to advise the best solution.
We are able to provide savings predictions and quotes based on adding a battery to your existing system to give you an idea of the potential savings and return on investment. Just fill in our quote form below and one of our team will be in touch to help.
How much space do I need to add batteries to my system?
This depends on the size of your system and how much battery capacity you require. However, the batteries rarely take up enough space for this to be pose a problem for installation. There are a range of options available, and with some battery models having weatherproof ratings, they can be wall-mounted outside the property.
How long to solar batteries last?
The usage pattern determines the lifespan of any battery. Solar panel storage batteries are designed for frequent charging and discharging for numerous charge cycles. However, like all batteries, they experience some level of degradation. Typically, solar batteries come with a guarantee of a performance level over a specific number of years. For instance, a battery may be guaranteed to maintain at least 80% of its original capacity over a period of 10 years.
How do I find out if I can fit a battery to my existing solar panel system?
If you already have solar panels and are considering fitting a battery to your system, get in touch with us using our form below, our live chat, or give us a call on 01268 552868 and one of our expert team can find the best solution for you.
