UK Solar and Battery Storage: How Home Battery Systems Cut Energy Costs
According to Octopus Energy, one of Britain’s biggest energy suppliers, household energy bill hikes are to be anticipated in the next four years. The overall estimated increase is about 20%.
And the culprits? Volatilities in wholesale electricity price and increasing costs induced by government policies. Unfortunately, these aggravating factors are often beyond the common folk’s control
But there are some ways that can help you cut energy costs. One of which is the adoption of solar panels combined with solar energy storage systems. It is estimated that the use of this clean energy solution can slash reliance on the grid and cut bills by up to £1,000+ annually.
What is a Solar and Battery Energy Storage System?
A solar and battery energy storage system features two components combined in one:
Photovoltaic panels that capture energy from the sun during daytime.
A battery unit that stores the excess solar energy captured by the panels.
With this setup, you can easily obtain, store, and utilize solar energy more efficiently, which reduces grid reliance and drives down energy costs.
How Solar Panels Generate Free Power
PV panels use silicon cells to convert its captured sunlight directly into direct current (DC) electricity. Then, an inverter transforms this DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the form of electric current that powers most household appliances.
During sunny hours, solar irradiation is at the peak. The PV panels can supply all of a home’s energy needs, which allows you to provide free electricity for your appliances.
The Role of a Battery Energy Storage System
Meanwhile, a battery energy storage system or BESS, can store excess solar power that the home does not use immediately. A BESS unit often uses lithium-ion technology for longevity and reliability.
Home BESS are usually compact models with a storage range from 1 to 16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in capacity. Now, larger and scalable battery systems which are used in commercial or industrial establishments usually come at a range of 5 to 1000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or more, which provide significant storage capabilities to accommodate higher energy demands for high-volume production.
How Solar and Battery Storage Work Together
Once these two components are integrated in a single setup, they operate together to maximize solar energy utilization and storage.
When sunlight hits the photovoltaic panels, the panels and inverters perform DC-AC conversion. Then, the system first supplies electricity directly to household loads.
Then, if the panels generate more electricity than the home requires, the surplus charges the battery instead of flowing to the grid. This stored energy becomes available after sunset or during periods of low solar production, which enables the household to use more of its own solar power and reduce grid consumption during expensive peak hours.
How Home Battery Storage Systems Actually Cut Your Energy Costs?
With a home battery storage system, you can control when and how to use electricity for your household. With its seamless power management and storage mechanism, you can cut energy costs significantly.
Maximise Self-Consumption
Batteries let you utilize a much larger share of solar energy generation directly for household demand, instead of exporting the excess to the grid at a lower rate.
In the United Kingdom, households that use solar panels only typically manage 30 to 40% electricity self-consumption. With the augmentation of a battery, you can push this figure to up to 70%, which means that most of the solar power generated stays onsite that can power your appliances and heating water.
Avoid Peak-Time Prices
Electricity prices are moderately volatile. They have irregular patterns but it is common for their values to spike during evening hours when demand is highest. Hence, it is advisable to charge from the grid when rates are low overnight, or opt for a battery that enables you to charge from your solar panels during the day. Then, you can discharge the stored PV energy during expensive periods.
Access Time-of-Use Tariffs and Smart Export Guarantees
Most solar energy batteries have built-in systems that are integrated to tariffs that reflect real-time market prices. With this feature, you can schedule battery charging and discharging to capitalize on price fluctuations. In general, you must buy electricity when it is cheap and export your stored solar power when rates climb.
Note as well of Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) schemes that can pay you for exporting surplus back to the grid. With this approach, you can deliver extra income whenever your battery is in stand by or needed for home use.
Backup Power During Outages
Battery storage systems can provide reliable backup during power outages (due to weather disturbances or electric faults) as they can easily discharge their stored energy for immediate use. This safeguards you from the costs associated with the adverse impacts of power loss, such as food spoilage or production disruptions.
Hedge Against Future Energy Price Rises
With a battery storage system, you can store and use electricity on your own. This enables you to insulate yourself from future price hikes. Long-term savings accumulate as you rely less on the grid, which provides a hedge against sudden market changes and energy inflation.
Costs and Typical Savings
A system with solar panels alone can save a typical semi-detached UK household at an amount of around £600 to £1,000 annually. Over 25 years, the total savings can climb to up to £38,000 Now, adding a home battery can boost annual savings by around £200–£400, which can potentially exceed £50,000 over the system’s lifetime.
What kind of product or solution are you interested in?
Home Battery Storage UK Trends to Consider
Energy cost inflation is almost inevitable in the coming years. Before the storm hits, it is high time to hedge yourself from this anticipated spike. You may invest in a solar and battery storage system that offers clear and measurable cost benefits for your household. This system can capture, store, and utilize solar energy to achieve less reliance on the grid and drive down household energy bills.
EcoFlow offers smart, cutting-edge, and cost-effective battery storage solutions for homes. One of which is EcoFlow PowerOcean, an advanced battery storage system that connects seamlessly to PV systems. It offers up to 6000 charging cycles, anti-overcharging technology, and built-in heating pads for constant and stable temperature. This storage system has a capacity of 5 kWh per pack, which is expandable to up to 45 kWh capacity.
To learn more about the latest solar and battery storage technologies, get a free consultation with EcoFlow.
FAQ
Is it worth getting battery storage with solar panels?
Yes, it is worth it to invest in battery storage with solar panels, as it stores excess PV energy generated during the day for use during peak times or at night. This enhances energy independence and can lead to savings on electricity bills.
How long can solar power be stored in a battery?
Solar power can typically be stored in a battery for at least 8 hours to a few days, depending on the battery's capacity. Under normal usage conditions, lithium-ion batteries can maintain their charge efficiency for up to several days.
Can a solar battery last all night?
Most solar batteries can last all night in an average household. A typical solar battery system is designed to last between 8 to 14 hours, but it still depends on how many appliances it will be powering through the night.
