Solar battery storage in the UK: a complete 2026 guide
A solar battery stores the electricity your panels make during the day so you can use it in the evening, instead of exporting it to the grid for a low price. In the UK, a fully installed solar battery typically costs £3,600–£5,800 for 5–20 kWh.
Free savings calculatorLive tariff prices for your postcode, saving and monthly finance for every battery.Calculate →How solar battery storage works
Your panels power your home first. Any spare electricity charges the battery rather than going to the grid. When the sun goes down, the battery powers your home until it's empty, and only then do you buy from the grid.
In winter, when solar output is low, the same battery can charge on a cheap overnight tariff instead, so it keeps saving money all year.
Adding a battery to existing solar panels
You don't need new panels. A hybrid or AC-coupled battery system can be added to most existing solar installations, including older ones on feed-in tariffs. Your installer checks your current inverter and fuse board before fitting.
What size solar battery do I need?
A common rule of thumb is about 1–1.5 kWh of battery per kWp of solar. A typical 4 kWp roof suits a 5–10 kWh battery. With an EV, heat pump or a cheap overnight tariff, 10–20 kWh lets you store more.
Solar battery prices, fully installed
Our fixed online prices include the battery, inverter and MCS-certified installation: Fox ESS from about £3,660, EP Cube from about £3,770, Hinen from about £4,210 and Duracell Dura 16 at about £4,700. See the Compare page for every system side by side.
Exporting stored solar power
Some tariffs, such as Octopus Flux, pay a high rate for electricity you export in the early evening. A battery lets you save solar power and sell it at the best time. Our savings calculator shows the effect for your postcode.
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