Getting a solar battery with your solar panels is an important decision that can significantly impact your energy independence and how you use the solar energy you generate. Here’s a condensed version of the considerations:

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Advantages of Solar Batteries:

 

• They allow you to store surplus solar energy instead of exporting it back to the grid. This can be especially beneficial if you're not home during the day to use the energy as it's produced, ensuring you can use it when you need it, such as in the evenings.

• With battery storage, you can enhance your self-consumption of solar energy, leading to greater savings on your energy bills.

• They provide increased protection from power outages, depending on the type of system you have installed.

• Solar batteries can help you further reduce your reliance on the grid, making your home more sustainable and less affected by energy price fluctuations.

 

Financial Considerations:

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• The cost of a solar battery typically averages around £4,500 in the UK, with a lifespan of 10–15 years.

• Without a battery, you might not utilize all the power your panels produce, potentially losing around 50% of it by feeding it back into the grid.

• The savings from using a solar battery, in conjunction with a solar panel system, can be substantial. For example, a typical three-bedroom home could save around £669 per year, considering both the reduced need to buy electricity and the potential earnings from exporting surplus through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

• However, it generally takes about 20 years to break even on a solar battery, given their current costs and the fact that you may need to replace the battery within the solar panel system's lifespan.

 

Technical Considerations:

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• Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most popular choice due to their efficiency, longer lifespan, and compact size, despite being more expensive.

• The right choice between AC-coupled (like the Powervault 3) and DC-coupled (such as Tesla Powerwall 2.0) systems will depend on whether you already have solar panels installed and whether you want the ability to use your solar electricity during power cuts.

 

Popularity and Trend:

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• Solar batteries are becoming more popular as more UK households adopt solar panels. While only a small proportion of solar households currently have a battery, interest is growing.

 

Given these factors, whether a solar battery is worth the investment for you will depend on your specific circumstances, including your energy consumption patterns, financial situation, and long-term sustainability goals. If reducing dependence on the grid and maximising the use of solar energy are priorities for you, and you are comfortable with the long-term return on investment, a solar battery could be a valuable addition to your solar setup.

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For a personalised assessment and to get the best deal for your specific needs, comparing quotes from multiple providers is recommended to ensure you get a high-quality solar battery at a competitive price​​​​.

 

Do I need a solar battery to sell excess energy ive generated back to the energy companies through a SEG scheme?

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No, you do not need a solar battery to sell excess energy back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. The SEG scheme allows you to export surplus energy generated by your solar panels back to the electricity grid, and you will be compensated by your energy supplier.

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Here are a few points to consider regarding solar batteries and the SEG:

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Without a Solar Battery:

• Your solar system is connected directly to the grid.

• When your system generates more electricity than your home needs, the excess is automatically fed back into the grid.

• Your energy supplier pays you for this excess electricity at the agreed SEG tariff rate.

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With a Solar Battery:

• You can store the excess energy produced during peak sunlight hours.

• You can use the stored energy during times when the solar panels are not generating electricity, like during the night or on cloudy days.

• A battery can provide increased energy independence and resilience.

• You can still export energy to the grid, but it allows you more control over when you export, potentially taking advantage of higher tariff rates if they vary throughout the day.

 

It's worth noting that the cost of solar batteries is an additional investment on top of the solar panels. While batteries offer increased flexibility and can maximise the personal use of your solar energy, they are not required for participation in the SEG scheme. Whether a solar battery is a good investment for you will depend on your energy usage patterns, the size of your solar PV system, the cost of the battery, and the specifics of your energy supplier’s SEG tariff.

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