Considering a solar battery for your home or business in the UK? The question “are solar batteries worth it” is increasingly common as more people seek to maximise their solar power investment, reduce electricity bills, and become more energy independent.
This article explores whether adding a solar battery is a financially and environmentally sound decision for UK homeowners, landlords, and commercial properties, especially those with rubber roofs common in industrial or commercial buildings.
Are Solar Batteries a Good Investment in the UK?
Yes, solar batteries allow you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and use it later, such as during the evening or at night.
With rising energy prices and ongoing changes to the UK’s energy market, batteries are becoming an attractive option, but their value depends on several factors.
One key factor to consider is the size of your solar battery relative to your energy consumption. According to Ofgem, a typical UK home uses around 3,600 kWh of electricity per year.
Storing solar energy on-site reduces your reliance on the grid and allows you to avoid buying electricity at peak times when prices are highest.
It’s also worth noting that most modern solar batteries have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, depending on usage and brand.
While that lifespan may vary, it’s typically long enough to provide a strong return on investment, especially when paired with the right system size and usage pattern.
Future Heat, a trusted solar panel installer in Tyne and Wear and the wider North East, offers tailored solar battery solutions designed to maximise your energy savings. Request a free solar battery quote today.
How Much Electricity Can Solar Batteries Store and Save?
Below is a table showing estimated storage capacity of popular solar battery sizes and potential annual savings on electricity costs for UK homeowners, based on average electricity prices (£0.34/kWh as of 2025 according to UK government statistics):
| Battery Size (kWh) | Estimated Usable Storage (kWh) | Approx. % of Average UK Home Use Stored | Estimated Annual Savings (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kWh | 3.6 | ~10% | £120 |
| 8 kWh | 7.2 | ~20% | £245 |
| 12 kWh | 10.8 | ~30% | £365 |
| 16 kWh | 14.4 | ~40% | £485 |
Note: Savings vary depending on your energy consumption patterns, solar panel system size, and electricity tariffs.
Using a larger battery can store more solar energy, reducing grid dependency, especially during winter months when solar generation is lower but demand remains.
How Do Solar Batteries Compare to Grid Electricity Prices and Self-Consumption Rates?
With average UK electricity prices rising rapidly, up 54% over the last two years (BEIS Energy Price Statistics), the value of storing your solar power increases.
Solar batteries improve self-consumption rates, meaning more of your solar-generated electricity is used onsite rather than exported at low SEG rates.
Typical homes without batteries use about 30% of solar generation directly; batteries can increase this to over 70%, significantly cutting grid electricity purchases.
Additionally, pairing solar batteries with efficient heating systems such as a combi boiler or integrating with home appliances (learn more about what appliances can be powered by solar panels) further boosts savings.
Can Solar Batteries Work Effectively All Year Round in the UK?
Solar batteries paired with panels can store surplus energy even during the darker winter months, though the amount of energy generated decreases due to shorter daylight and weather conditions.
Efficient battery sizing and complementary strategies (such as horizontal vs vertical solar panel installation to optimise sun exposure) can help maximise winter performance.
Understanding how many solar panels you need and the ideal solar battery size is critical.
What UK Government Incentives Support Solar Battery Installations?
The UK government encourages solar adoption, including battery storage, through various schemes:
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), energy suppliers pay you for excess electricity your solar panels export back to the grid, usually around 5p/kWh.
While this offers some return, the rate is significantly lower than what you pay to import electricity from the grid (currently around 34p/kWh).
This price gap is where solar batteries show their value. Instead of selling your excess solar power for pennies, a battery allows you to store and use that electricity later, effectively replacing expensive grid usage.
This maximises your solar ROI and significantly enhances the financial case for battery storage, making it clear that for many, a solar battery is absolutely worth it.
ECO4 Scheme:
The UK’s ECO4 Scheme provides funding for home energy improvements, and in some cases, this includes solar battery storage when installed alongside solar panels and other energy-efficient upgrades.
This means eligible homeowners could significantly reduce or eliminate the upfront cost of installing a battery.
By lowering the financial barrier, ECO4 support can dramatically improve the payback period and overall return on investment, making solar batteries much more financially viable and therefore, more worth it for qualifying households.
Zero VAT on solar batteries
From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027, the UK government has applied a 0% VAT rate on the supply and installation of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential properties, including solar panels and batteries installed together (Solar Energy UK).
This means that if you’re installing a solar battery at the same time as your solar PV system, the entire installation is zero-rated for VAT, saving you thousands of pounds compared to the previous 5–20% VAT charges.
However, there’s an important caveat:
- Standalone battery installations (i.e. battery-only retrofits) do not currently qualify for the 0% VAT rate.
- Batteries are not yet listed individually as Energy Saving Materials by the government.
- Industry bodies like Solar Energy UK are lobbying to change this, arguing that tax relief should apply to all residential storage, regardless of when it’s installed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
AYes, many solar battery systems can be retrofitted to existing solar panel installations, but compatibility depends on your inverter and system setup.
Solar batteries require minimal maintenance, though annual checks for performance and safety are recommended.
Yes, using solar batteries reduces reliance on fossil fuels by increasing self-consumption of clean solar energy, lowering overall carbon footprints.
Our Verdict
In the UK, solar batteries offer homeowners, landlords, and commercial businesses a way to increase energy independence, save money, and support the transition to renewable energy.
Whether your property has a traditional pitched roof or a commercial rubber roof, careful assessment of battery size, solar panel capacity, and energy usage patterns is essential to maximise benefits.
Government incentives and rising electricity costs make solar battery installations more financially attractive than ever.
Myles Robinson is a seasoned expert in the boiler and home improvement industry, with over a decade of experience. He is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, actively promoting energy-efficient heating solutions to help households reduce their carbon footprint. By combining industry expertise with a dedication to environmental responsibility, Myles continues to lead efforts in transforming home heating practices towards a more sustainable future.
