A battery for a three-bedroom property tends to cost around £4,500, which, combined with the costs of a solar panel system, can be a barrier for many. However, solar batteries are worth it if you want to reduce your reliance on grid electricity because they allow you to store the electricity generated by your solar panels.
Solar batteries come with a hefty upfront cost. The actual cost will depend on your home and the size of the battery you want or need, but it can range between £1,000 and £10,000. You'll likely need two batteries during the life of your solar panels. Batteries last around 15 years, while solar panels last about 25 years.
Key takeaway: in general, lithium-ion batteries are considered the gold standard for domestic use and the most cost effective. The lifespan, efficiency and cost of the solar batteries largely depend on the materials being used in them. For instance, lithium-ion batteries can discharge 70% – 90% of the total storage.
This should reduce your energy bills – and your carbon footprint. For example, if you're not at home during the day to use the energy your solar panels are generating, having a battery will enable you to store (and later use) energy from your solar panels. A solar battery means you can take advantage of cheaper electricity.
If you’re always home during the day, when your solar panels produce the most electricity, using a solar storage battery to store electricity to use later is an excellent way to get more out of your solar panels. Plus, it’ll help you cut your energy bills while helping to save the planet.
The cost of home battery systems depends on the battery size or capacity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the brand of solar or hybrid inverter used. Average household batteries cost anywhere from $ 5,000 for a small 5kWh battery (fully installed) to $15,000 or more for a sizeable 12kWh battery.