So, how does battery storage help you save more? One of the most common questions we hear is: “Should I add a battery to my solar PV system?” The short answer is yes – if your goal is to maximise self‑consumption and minimise reliance on the grid. Here’s why battery storage can make all the difference, using our recent Wigan installation as a real‑world example.
How Does Battery Storage Help You Save More – Why add a battery?
Solar panels produce electricity when the sun is shining, but many households use the majority of their energy in the evening. Without a battery, excess solar electricity is exported back to the grid for a small payment under the Smart Export Guarantee. With a battery, that surplus is stored and used later, effectively replacing expensive grid electricity.
The GreenMatch guide notes that adding a battery can reduce a homeowner’s electricity bills by as much as 70 %. When paired with a typical 4 kW Solar PV array, annual savings can reach £485–£1,110, especially when homeowners shift high‑consumption activities (washing, dishwashing, EV charging) to times when the battery is charged.
Octopus offer a tariff which allows more control over your battery. When you live, the app can charge and discharge your battery to generate extra income to reduce your bills further, effectively energy trading within peak and off-peak times. Combined with solar, you can sell the excess energy back to the grid for an additional income.
Understanding kW vs kWh
It’s common to confuse kilowatts (kW) with kilowatt‑hours (kWh). A kilowatt measures power – the rate at which electricity is produced or used – while a kilowatt‑hour measures energy – the amount of electricity stored or consumed over time. In our Wigan project, the 4.5 kW array can produce up to 4.5 kilowatts at its peak, while the 10.52 kWh battery can store that amount of energy. On a sunny summer day it could fully charge, providing enough power to run key appliances through the evening and into the next morning.
How Does Battery Storage Help You Save More – Benefits of battery storage
- Greater self‑consumption – You use more of your own solar electricity instead of exporting it. Every unit you consume is a unit you don’t have to buy from the grid.
- Time‑of‑use optimisation – If you’re on an Economy 7 or other time‑of‑use tariff, you can charge the battery during cheap off‑peak periods and discharge during expensive peak times.
- Backup power – Certain battery systems can provide limited backup during power cuts. This feature can keep lights, broadband and critical devices running during grid outages.
- Protection against rising energy prices – With energy costs predicted to rise again, maximising your self‑generated electricity shields you from price hikes.
- Future‑proofing – A battery enables you to integrate an electric vehicle charger or heat pump later, making the most of your solar investment.
- Octopus Go Intelligent Tariff – Having a battery with the Octopus Go Intelligent Tariff can increase your savings. Octopus Go Intelligent can control your battery, charging it in off-peak moments and then selling it back to the grid at peak, generating an income. If you partner this with Solar, you can save even more.
Is a battery right for everyone?
Battery storage is most beneficial when you have:
- A solar array that frequently produces more than you use during the day.
- High evening electricity use or plans to buy an electric vehicle.
- A time‑of‑use tariff that offers cheaper electricity at off‑peak times.
If your daytime consumption matches your solar generation, a battery may take longer to pay for itself. Our team can analyse your usage patterns to recommend the correct battery size and chemistry.
Ready to explore battery storage?
Flux Solar Energy installs a range of battery systems, from compact units for smaller homes to large‑capacity batteries like the 21.04 kWh unit fitted in Horwich.
So, How Does Battery Storage Help You Save More? If you want to learn more, drop us an email and we’d be more than happy to help. Contact us to discuss your goals, and we’ll design a package that delivers the best return on your investment.
