Already Have Solar Panels? Could a Battery Help You Use More of Your Solar?

If you already have solar panels, you may have noticed a simple problem: your panels generate most of their electricity during the day, while your household may use more electricity in the evening. A home battery can help bridge that gap by storing electricity for later use.

What happens to your solar electricity without a battery?

Your solar panels generate electricity whenever there is enough daylight. Your home uses the electricity it needs at the time, and surplus generation can be exported to the grid.

That can still make solar a valuable investment. But if much of your household's electricity use happens after the sun has gone down, you may be buying electricity from the grid at the same time as exporting some of the electricity your panels generated earlier.

How does a solar battery change the picture?

A battery allows surplus electricity generated by your solar panels to be stored rather than immediately exported. You can then use some of that stored electricity later, such as during the evening or at other times when your solar system is not generating enough for your home's demand.

This can increase the proportion of your solar generation that you use yourself. The potential financial benefit depends on your generation, electricity consumption, tariff, battery size and how the system is operated.

Who could benefit most from adding a battery?

• You regularly generate more solar electricity than you use during the day

• A significant amount of your electricity use happens in the evening

• Your household has relatively high electricity demand

• You have an electric heating system such as an air source heat pump

• You are interested in using a time-of-use electricity tariff

• You want to make greater use of your own solar generation

Can you add a battery to existing solar panels?

In many cases, yes. A battery can be retrofitted to an existing solar installation, but the existing system needs to be assessed first.

The installer should look at your existing inverter and electrical setup, your solar generation, your household electricity use and the compatibility of the proposed battery. The best battery size is not simply determined by the number of solar panels on the roof.

What about using a battery during a power cut?

A standard battery installation does not automatically mean your home will have electricity during a grid outage. If backup power is a priority, the system needs suitable backup functionality and electrical configuration. Ask the installer exactly which circuits would be powered and what the expected backup capability would be.

So, is a solar battery worth it?

It depends on the individual home. A battery can be a useful addition to solar panels, but the right decision comes down to the relationship between your solar generation, electricity consumption, tariff and the cost of the battery system.

Ready to Find Out More?

Already have solar panels and want to know whether a battery could work with your existing system? AJK Energy can assess your current setup, energy use and battery options across Essex and London. Call 01708 693180 and request a free battery assessment.

Solar PV Serving Essex & East London • MCS Certified Solar & Battery Installers • 7 Years of Local Experience • Integrated Solar + Battery Solutions