How much do solar batteries cost in the UK and are they worth it?
What are the benefits of a solar battery storage system?
There are 4 major advantages to installing a solar battery in your home alongside solar panels.
These are:
1. Store energy for the future
For obvious reasons, solar panels generate for energy during the day than at night.
By installing a solar battery, you will be able to get the most out of your system by storing the electricity generated when your solar panels are at their most effective and utilising it when production rates are lower.
2. Reduce your energy costs
Installing solar panels and a solar battery will significantly reduce your reliance on the national grid for electricity and from the moment of installation, you will see a significant drop in your energy bills.
3. Sell stored energy
Solar panel owners are able to sell any unused energy that they generate back to the national grid. Adding a solar battery into this system makes this an even more profitable venture as you will be able to store the energy and sell it during peak times when demand is at its highest.
4. Become Independent
Generating and storing your own clean, free energy will eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, your reliance on the grid for electricity.
This will protect you against any future price hikes and give you independence when it comes to your energy production.
When should you install a solar battery?
It is possible to install a solar battery without solar panels but combining the two is by far the best way to maximise the benefits of the system.
If you already have solar panels on your property, the installation of a battery alongside is relatively simple and even if you do not currently have either, it is more than possible to install both at the same time, creating a completely renewable home energy system in one step.
How much do they cost?
A solar battery will save you a huge amount of money on electric bills over its lifespan but there is a significant upfront investment required.
Depending on the chemical composite used to make the battery and the capacity it can hold, a typical solar battery will cost somewhere between £1,200 and £6000.
Lithium-ion solar batteries are one of the most cost-effective batteries currently on the market with their costs ranging from around £3,500 for a 3-4kWh battery to around £6,000 for a 12-13.5 kWh battery.
It is worth remembering, however, that the larger the capacity, the more money you will save, as your reliance on the national grid to top up your electricity when the battery runs out will be much lower.
For this reason, it may not be the best financial decision in the long term to opt for a 3-4kWh battery purely for the lower installation costs.
Some systems also come with the option to add additional battery units over time to increase the capacity so if you are on a budget but don’t wish to limit your capacity for many years to come this may be the best way forward.
How long do solar batteries last?
The average lifespan of a solar battery varies depending on type of battery, whether they are over-discharged, and whether or not they have been exposed to extreme weather.
However, in general, a lead-acid based solar battery will last around 5-7 years whilst a lithium-ion battery can last for as much as 12-15 years.
If you are considering installing both a battery and Solar PV panels at the same time, it is worth considering the fact that as solar panels last around 25 years, you will need to factor in the cost of replacing the battery long before the rest of your system.
Are there Government Grants available?
Despite the financial benefits of installing a solar battery in your home, it is still an expensive installation process. Luckily there are several government schemes in place that make the decision more attractive.
Firstly, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to export unused energy generated by solar panels back into the national grid and be paid for it.
With a battery in place, this scheme is even more appealing as you will be able to keep your energy stored until peak hours when you will receive the best possible tariff for the electricity that you sell.
The Home Energy Scotland Loan also provides Scottish homeowners with an interest free loan to facilitate the installation of renewable energy systems.
It is currently possible to get a loan of up to £5,000 for a solar battery storage system, that can be repaid over a 5-10 year period.
Contact Greener Energy Group
For more information on solar batteries or solar PV panels call Greener Energy Group (GEG) today on 03335 77 66 99 or fill out our home suitability survey today.