Battery Buyer's Guide

All GB-Sol solar installations are battery compatible and we offer a range of high quality lithium-ion battery systems, including Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge Home Battery and GivEnergy.

Mains connected battery systems are expensive & sophisticated devices that are relatively new to the market and that are rapidly evolving.  Batteries are smart devices that can manage the ups and downs of both a building’s demand and any power generation on site, including solar power.  As smart devices, the operation of batteries is usually controlled by mobile phone apps and will interact with the customer’s lifestyle and activities, such as car charging, commuting (ie out during prime solar hours), heat pumps, etc.

Most battery manufacturers and installers are very enthusiastic about the positives of batteries.  We think it still early days for batteries and that customers should wait a year or two before committing.

GB-Sol recommend that solar PV installations are fitted with proven solar inverters and that battery installations are delayed where possible for the market to mature.

There are, however, many reasons why customers may wish to have batteries installed at the same time as their solar roof is fitted.   We have added some check points below to help customers be clear on any decision to invest in battery storage at this time.  

Battery location guidance PAS63100

Do the maths

The maths of the costs and savings of a battery storage system are complicated, so be sure you understand them or seek independent advice.  Think of this as a financial investment.

Where can batteries be installed?

Lithium ion batteries are highly flammable in the event of a fire in a building and need to be installed either outdoors or in an uninhabited part of the building, like a garage with external access.  Fire fighters need to be able to work safely in an emergency, so cannot have the risk of a 100kg battery falling down from a loft, or a battery catching fire near emergency escape routes.

Smart tariffs and off-peak charging

Tariffs are likely to change in the payback period.  

Solar export tariffs are now as high as 20p compared with 5p several years ago.  So, battery owners who invested assuming they could only get 5p for surplus solar have overestimated their battery savings by hundreds of pounds a year

With the wrong settings, batteries can lose money instead of saving it.  For example, if you charge at the wrong time, you could be buying expensive energy instead of cheap off peak.

Maintenance

Allow a budget for maintenance.  Batteries are likely to require servicing and maintenance during their life.  A single engineering visit could cost 50% of the annual revenues, resulting in a loss for the year.

Batteries need to be regularly checked (at least monthly) for alarms and other issues such as low charge.  In winter they can go flat in low temperatures, in some cases requiring full replacement at your cost.  Their warranty can be voided if they lose internet connection for a prolonged period.  You might need to pay for a battery engineer to update your system if you change your wifi router, for example.

Environmental benefits of batteries

Sadly, there are no significant environmental benefits to batteries. They are usually over 100kg of steel and rare earth metals that require huge resources & energy to make.  In operation, they give back slightly less energy than they take in.

Alternatives to batteries

Here are some things you can do with your solar surplus, instead of going to the expense of buying a battery:

  • put a timer on your immersion controller to charge around the middle of the day
  • time your car charging to be around the middle of the day, or at night for low cost tariffs
  • get an electric barbecue - it is usually sunny and around the middle of the day when you have solar to spare, so what better way to feel the satisfaction of making your own power?
  • get a small air conditioning unit and power it with solar

Money Saving Expert review of batteries

Here is a useful independent review of the pros and cons of battery storage systems

Money Saving Expert - Battery Review

Why choose GB-Sol?

Excellence in engineering & durability

Our solar slates and solar roof products are manufactured using toughened glass, marine-grade aluminium & stainless steel, and are independently tested & certified.  Our products are more extensively proven than those of any of our competitors, globally.

Decades of unmatched experience

With 30 years of pioneering experience in solar power technology, GB-Sol stands as a beacon of innovation.  We own our own factory and have an extensive portfolio of projects that demonstrate the value of our 25 year warranties.

Complete installation service

We install as well as manufacture, to ensure the quality, longevity and safety of the systems installed.  Our Projects team are very experienced in dealing with both new-build projects and retrofits, in processes that are regularly audited for quality and integrity.  We are well-resourced with installation teams and surveyors across Great Britain to ensure good communication and local support.

Sustainability at heart

We keep our suppliers local wherever possible, minimise waste &  packaging and run our premises on solar power, topped up with a 100% green electricity supply.  We are the top-rated solar panel manufacturer according to Ethical Consumer magazine and have been for many years.

When you choose GB-Sol, you are choosing safety, reliability, durability and sustainability.

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