Solar Battery Storage: Complete UK Guide 2026

Written by Daniel McMurray, Sales Manager

Solar battery storage is essential for getting the most out of your solar system. Rather than sending surplus energy back to the grid during the day, a battery stores it so you can use that electricity later. Whether that’s overnight, in the evening or when your solar panels aren’t producing as much. This means more of the energy your panels generate can be used on your property, helping you get more value from your solar system.

Solar battery storage can also work alongside other technologies, including Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and EV chargers. By storing excess solar energy and making it available when these systems need it, you can make better use of renewable energy across your property, reduce your reliance on electricity from the grid and lowering your energy costs.

In this guide, we explain how solar battery storage works, how much it costs, the potential payback and the key considerations for homeowners, businesses, social landlords and councils across the UK.

 

What is Solar Battery Storage and How Does It Work?

Solar battery storage is a system that stores surplus electricity from solar panels so you can use it later.

Solar panels typically generate the most electricity during daylight hours, when a home or business may not be using all of the energy being produced. Without battery storage, surplus electricity can be exported to the grid.

A battery provides another option. Instead of exporting all of that surplus energy, it can be stored and used later, such as during the evening or at other times when electricity demand is higher.

A typical solar battery storage system includes:

• Battery storage: Stores the electricity for later use.
• Inverter: Converts electricity between the form generated by the solar panels, battery and property.
• Energy management system: Monitors generation, consumption and battery charging to help optimise how energy is used.

A suitably designed battery storage system can also provide backup power during a power cut. However, not every battery system provides whole-home or whole-building backup, so this should be considered when choosing a system.

What are the benefits of solar battery storage?

Solar battery storage can help you:

• Increase the amount of solar energy you use yourself.
• Reduce your reliance on electricity from the grid.
• Reduce the amount of surplus solar electricity exported.
• Take advantage of time-of-use electricity tariffs.
• Improve the financial return from an existing solar PV system.
• Provide backup power where the system is designed for it.

 

Solar Battery Storage Costs

The costs of solar battery storage vary depending on the battery capacity, technology, installation requirements and whether you are installing it alongside new solar PV or retrofitting it to an existing system.

As a general guide, typical costs may look like this:

 

Battery size	Indicative system cost	Indicative installation cost*	Typical use
9kWh	£5,000–£7,000	£1,000	Average households and smaller properties
13kWh	£7,500–£9,500	£1,500	Higher energy usage and properties with EVs or heat pumps
16kWh+	£10,000–£25,000	£2,000+	Larger properties and higher energy demand

 

*Indicative figures only. Actual installation costs vary depending on the property, existing electrical infrastructure, system design and installation requirements.

Battery capacity does not necessarily provide a fixed number of hours of storage. How long a battery lasts depends on the property’s electricity consumption and how the stored energy is being used.

For an accurate solar battery storage cost and system recommendation, contact our team for a tailored assessment.

 

Solar Battery Storage for Businesses

Solar battery storage isn’t just for homes. Businesses can also benefit from storing surplus solar energy and using it when electricity demand or grid prices are higher.

1. Peak Shaving

Businesses can often have periods of significantly higher electricity demand. During these periods, businesses can use stored battery energy instead of drawing as much electricity from the grid.

This can help reduce peak electricity costs, depending on the business’s tariff and charging structure.

2. Demand Charge Reduction

Some commercial electricity tariffs include charges based on a site’s maximum demand, rather than simply the total amount of electricity consumed.

Businesses can use stored energy to manage short-term peaks in demand.

3. Energy Security for Operations

For manufacturing and industrial businesses, an unexpected power outage can result in significant disruption, lost production and equipment downtime.

A suitably designed battery system can provide backup power, helping businesses maintain critical operations during an outage.

4. Improve the Return on Existing Solar PV

Businesses often generate more solar electricity than they can use at certain times, particularly during weekends or periods of low occupancy.

Rather than exporting all surplus electricity, battery storage allows more of the energy generated by the solar PV system to be used on site later.

This can improve solar self-consumption and potentially improve the overall return from an existing solar PV installation.

5. Support ESG and Carbon Reporting

Businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate progress towards their environmental and sustainability targets.

Combining solar PV with battery storage can help businesses make greater use of renewable electricity generated on site, supporting wider carbon reduction and ESG objectives.

6. Support EV Fleet Charging

Businesses can also use battery storage to support electric vehicle charging for their EV fleets.

Stored solar energy can be used to help charge vehicles outside of peak solar generation periods, potentially reducing the amount of electricity that needs to be purchased from the grid. Discover our commercial battery storage options here.

 

Social Housing and Councils

Solar battery storage can also play an important role in the decarbonisation of social housing and council-owned buildings.

For social landlords and councils, the benefits extend beyond individual energy savings. Battery storage can form part of a wider strategy covering energy efficiency, renewable generation, fuel poverty and long-term carbon reduction.

1. Reduce Household Energy Costs

Solar PV and battery storage can increase the amount of renewable energy available to social housing residents.

This can help reduce reliance on grid electricity and, depending on the system and household’s energy consumption, reduce energy costs.

2. Support Decarbonisation Targets

Councils and social landlords are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions across their housing portfolios.

Combining solar PV with battery storage can help maximise the use of renewable electricity generated on site and form part of a wider property decarbonisation strategy.

3. Funding and Grant Opportunities

Funding opportunities for social housing and public-sector decarbonisation change regularly.

Some programmes support renewable energy, energy efficiency and wider decarbonisation measures. Each scheme has its own eligibility requirements based on the property and organisation.

It’s important to check the latest eligibility criteria before developing a project or making an application.

4. Greater Resilience

A suitably designed battery system can provide backup power.

This can be particularly valuable in certain supported or sheltered housing environments where maintaining power to essential equipment and services is important.

5. Greater Protection Against Energy Price Changes

Solar PV and battery storage can reduce an organisation’s exposure to grid electricity prices by increasing the amount of energy generated and used on site.

For councils and social landlords managing large property portfolios, this can form part of a longer-term strategy for managing energy costs.

6. Stronger Social Value Case

For public-sector projects, the business case often needs to demonstrate more than financial savings.

Solar PV and battery storage can contribute to wider social value objectives through carbon reduction, improved energy efficiency and, where appropriate, measures designed to help address fuel poverty.

One solution we have been implementing for councils is SolShare. SolShare enables the direct connection of multiple flats to a single rooftop solar PV system. This breaks down the technical and ownership barriers that have historically prevented apartment residents from accessing clean and affordable energy from the sun.

SolShare is the perfect way to reduce energy bills for your residents, improve SAP and EPC ratings and tailor solar allocation to each flat to meet those specific EPC goals. Discover more about SolShare here.

 

Best Solar Batteries in 2026

There are a growing number of solar battery systems available in the UK, with different options suited to residential, commercial and industrial applications. Some of the systems we work with include:

Tesla Powerwall 3

The Tesla Powerwall 3 has a 13.5 kWh usable energy capacity and an integrated solar inverter. You can use it with new solar installations or retrofit it to compatible existing systems.

Its high energy capacity and integrated design make it a popular option for homeowners looking to increase their use of solar energy and reduce their reliance on electricity from the grid.

SolarEdge Batteries

The SolarEdge offers battery storage solutions for residential properties, including the SolarEdge Home Battery – 48V and SolarEdge Home Battery 400V. Available battery capacities are measured in kWh, depending on the configuration.

SolarEdge battery storage integrates with compatible SolarEdge solar PV systems, allowing the battery, inverter and energy management system to work together as part of a single solution. The appropriate equipment also enables backup functionality.

For larger commercial and industrial applications, SolarEdge offers intelligent energy storage solutions such as the CSS-OD 102.4. The CSS-OD 102.4 is a 102.4 kWh-rated commercial energy storage system for indoor or outdoor installation. SolarEdge supplies the system with a pre-assembled battery cabinet and battery inverter that integrates with its PV systems.

This provides businesses with a larger-scale solution for storing solar energy, increasing self-consumption and managing electricity demand.

Victron Energy

Victron Energy offers modular battery storage and energy management solutions that can be configured for a range of residential, commercial and off-grid applications.

Its modular approach makes it particularly suitable for more bespoke energy storage requirements, where flexibility and system configuration are important considerations.

View more here.

Choosing the Right Solar Battery

The best solar battery isn’t necessarily the one with the largest capacity or the lowest price. The right system depends on your electricity consumption, existing solar PV system, available space and what you want the battery to achieve.

It’s important to consider the complete system, including:

• Battery capacity and usable energy
• Inverter compatibility
• Energy efficiency
• Backup power requirements
• Installation requirements
• Warranty and expected lifespan
• Integration with existing solar PV
• Future requirements such as EV charging

At Kembla, we can assess your energy requirements and recommend a battery storage solution that is appropriate for your property, whether you’re a homeowner, business or organisation.

 

Grants and Funding for Solar Battery Storage

There are various incentives and funding programmes that may help reduce the cost of solar PV and battery storage. However, eligibility and availability can change, particularly for government-funded schemes.

Homeowners

0% VAT: Energy-saving materials, including qualifying battery storage installed with or alongside qualifying systems, can benefit from the UK’s 0% VAT rules subject to the relevant conditions. The current relief is scheduled to run until 31 March 2027.

ECO4: The Energy Company Obligation can support energy efficiency improvements for eligible households. Battery storage eligibility depends on the wider measures being installed and the requirements of the specific scheme.

Warm Homes: Local Grant: Funding can be available for eligible households to improve energy efficiency and install clean heating or renewable technologies, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.

Home Upgrade Grant: Previous rounds of the Home Upgrade Grant have supported energy efficiency improvements for eligible off-gas-grid homes. Availability and eligibility should be checked against the latest government guidance.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): The SEG is not a grant, but a mechanism through which eligible electricity suppliers pay for electricity exported to the grid. Battery storage can help increase self-consumption, potentially reducing the amount of electricity exported.

 

Businesses

Capital allowances: Depending on the technology, installation and circumstances, businesses may be able to claim qualifying expenditure against taxable profits. Professional tax advice should be obtained before making a claim.

Funding programmes: Local and sector-specific funding programmes may support renewable energy, energy efficiency or decarbonisation projects. Eligibility varies considerably, so businesses should check current schemes relevant to their location and sector.

For many commercial battery storage projects, the business case is primarily based on energy savings, solar self-consumption, peak demand management and tariff optimisation rather than grant funding.

 

Social Housing and Councils

ECO4: ECO4 can support eligible energy efficiency measures in qualifying homes, including some social housing, subject to scheme requirements.

Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund: This programme is designed to support social landlords with improving the energy performance of social housing and reducing energy bills for residents, subject to the current funding round and eligibility criteria.

Local and regional funding: Councils may also have access to local or regional funding programmes supporting energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

Funding schemes and eligibility criteria can change, so always check the latest government guidance before planning a project or making an application.

 

Solar Battery Storage FAQs

Is solar battery storage worth it?

Solar battery storage can be worthwhile where a property generates significant surplus solar electricity or has high electricity demand outside solar generation hours. The potential return depends on factors including the battery cost, energy usage, electricity tariffs, solar generation and export rates.

How much does a solar battery cost?

Solar battery storage costs vary depending on battery capacity, brand, installation requirements and whether the battery is being installed alongside new solar PV or retrofitted to an existing system. Indicative costs can range from around £5,000 for smaller systems to £25,000 or more for larger installations.

Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?

In many cases, yes. You can often retrofit battery storage to an existing solar PV system, although an installer should first assess compatibility and the existing electrical installation.

How long does a solar battery last?

The lifespan of a solar battery depends on the technology, usage, charging cycles and manufacturer. Battery warranties commonly provide a specified period of performance or number of cycles, so this should be considered when comparing systems.

Can a solar battery power my home during a power cut?

Some battery systems can provide backup power, but this is not a standard feature of every installation. You may need additional equipment, and the installer must design the system specifically for backup operation.

Can businesses benefit from battery storage without solar panels?

Yes. Commercial battery storage can potentially be used to manage electricity demand, optimise tariffs and reduce peak demand even where solar PV is not installed. The business case will depend on the site’s electricity profile and tariff structure.

Do solar batteries qualify for grants?

There is no single nationwide grant available to every property for solar battery storage. Funding providers set eligibility according to the property, applicant, wider measures and specific programme requirements.

 

Explore Solar Battery Storage Options Today

Whether you’re looking to add battery storage to your home, improve the performance of an existing commercial solar PV system or develop a larger-scale solution for social housing, our team can help you assess the options.

We can review your existing solar PV system, energy consumption and objectives before recommending a suitable battery storage solution.

Get in touch with our team today:

📍 Midlands: 01543 713026
📍 South: 02392 400547

Or click Get a Quote below to receive an instant estimate for your business.

 

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