Are Solar Batteries Worth It With Solar Panels?

When solar battery storage makes sense

• You export a large amount of excess solar energy at a low SEG rate (under 10p per kWh).
• Nobody is home during the day, so much of your solar electricity is exported rather than used in the home.
• You’re on a time-of-use energy tariff that allows you to charge a battery overnight using cheaper electricity.
• You have an EV to charge, allowing you to store lower-cost electricity overnight for daytime EV charging.

When solar battery storage may not make sense

• You already self-consume 60%+ of your solar generation, meaning there is little excess electricity to store.
• You receive a strong SEG export rate (15p+ per kWh), making exporting your surplus solar energy relatively valuable.
• Your solar PV system is under 3kWp, so there may not be enough excess solar generation to justify the cost of battery storage.

0% VAT on solar battery storage

Since February 2024, battery storage systems installed alongside solar panels or retrofitted to existing solar PV systems can qualify for 0% VAT, reducing the upfront cost of adding battery storage to your home.