Battery Storage Installation
Store your electricity and use it when you need it
A battery storage system allows you to store electricity and use it later, rather than relying entirely on the grid at the time you need power.
For homeowners with solar panels, battery storage can be particularly useful. Instead of sending surplus solar electricity to the grid during the day, you can store more of that energy and use it during the evening and overnight when your solar panels aren't generating. Battery storage can also work alongside smart and off-peak electricity tariffs, allowing a suitably configured system to charge when electricity is cheaper and discharge when prices are higher.
At Underwood Electrical, we design and install battery storage systems for homes and businesses across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, with every system designed around the property's energy usage, existing electrical installation and individual requirements.
What is Battery Storage?
A battery energy storage system stores electrical energy so that it can be used at a later time. For a typical home with solar panels, the process looks something like this:
Solar panels generate electricity → your home uses what it needs → surplus electricity charges the battery → stored electricity is used later.
During the day, your solar panels may generate more electricity than your home is using. Without battery storage, the excess may be exported to the grid.
With a battery, more of that energy can be stored for use later in the day, such as when you're cooking, watching television, running appliances or charging an electric vehicle.
Modern battery systems can also intelligently manage when energy is stored and used, depending on your system configuration, electricity tariff and energy requirements.
What are the benefits of battery storage?
1. Make better use of your solar energy
One of the main reasons homeowners add a battery to their solar PV system is to make greater use of the electricity they generate themselves.
Solar generation is often highest during the daytime, while household electricity consumption can continue into the evening. Battery storage helps bridge that gap by storing surplus generation for later use.
2. Reduce your reliance on the electricity grid
Using stored energy means you don't always need to buy electricity from your supplier when your solar panels aren't generating.
This can increase your level of energy independence and reduce the amount of electricity you need to import from the grid.
3. Take advantage of smart and off-peak tariffs
Battery storage isn't necessarily limited to storing solar energy.
Depending on the battery, tariff and system configuration, a battery can be charged from the grid during cheaper periods and then used when electricity is more expensive.
This is one reason battery storage can be worth considering even if you don't currently have solar panels.
Underwood Electrical can help you consider how battery storage could work alongside your electricity tariff as part of the system design. Our existing battery installations can be configured for compatibility with off-peak tariffs.
4. Greater control over your energy
Modern battery systems come with intelligent energy management and monitoring.
Depending on the system selected, you can monitor energy generation, consumption, battery charging and discharging through an app or monitoring platform.
This gives you a much clearer picture of how your home is using electricity and allows the system to be configured around your priorities.
5. Backup power during a power cut
Some battery storage systems can provide backup power if there is a grid outage.
However, not every battery installation automatically provides backup power, and the amount of your home that can be powered during an outage depends on the system design, battery capacity, backup equipment and your electrical loads.
For example, a system may be designed to keep essential circuits operating, or it may be capable of providing whole-home backup.
This is something we can discuss when designing your system. Tesla, for example, offers different Powerwall configurations depending on whether backup power is required.
Can I have battery storage without solar panels?
Yes.
Although battery storage and solar PV work extremely well together, you don't necessarily need solar panels to benefit from a home battery.
A battery can potentially be charged from the electricity grid during cheaper periods and then used later when electricity is more expensive.
This can be particularly interesting for households using time-of-use or other variable electricity tariffs.
Whether this makes financial sense for you will depend on your electricity usage, tariff, battery size, installation costs and how the system is operated.
That's why we recommend a bespoke assessment rather than assuming that the same battery system will suit every home.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to add battery storage to an existing solar PV installation.
The best solution will depend on your existing solar panels, inverter, electrical installation and the type of battery system being considered.
For an existing solar PV system, an AC-coupled battery system can be an option because the battery can be added without necessarily replacing the existing solar inverter.
Other installations may benefit from a different configuration.
We'll assess your existing system as part of the design process and recommend the most appropriate solution.
How big a battery do I need?
There's no single battery size that's right for every property.
A battery that is too small may not provide enough storage to make the most of your available solar generation or tariff. A battery that is unnecessarily large may increase the initial cost without providing a proportionate benefit.
We consider factors such as:
- - Your annual electricity consumption
- - How much electricity you use during the day and evening
- - Your existing or proposed solar PV system
- - The amount of surplus solar you typically generate
- - Your electricity tariff
- - Whether you have an electric vehicle
- - Whether you have or plan to install a heat pump
- - Whether backup power is important to you
- - Your available installation space
- - Your future energy requirements
The result is a battery system designed around your actual energy usage, rather than simply choosing the biggest battery available.
Battery storage for homes with EVs and heat pumps
Battery storage can become even more useful as household electricity consumption increases.
If you have an electric vehicle, for example, you may be using considerably more electricity than a typical household. A battery can form part of a wider home energy system alongside solar PV and EV charging.
Similarly, households using an air source heat pump may have different electricity consumption patterns that need to be considered when sizing a battery and solar PV system.
Underwood Electrical can look at your wider energy requirements and design a system around how your home actually uses electricity.
Battery Storage from Underwood Electrical
We provide professionally designed and installed battery storage systems for homeowners and businesses throughout Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.
We currently install leading battery technologies including:
Tesla Powerwall 3
Tesla Powerwall is a home battery system designed to store energy from solar or the grid for use when you need it.
Powerwall 3 has an integrated solar inverter and can be installed as part of a new solar and battery system or, depending on the existing installation, added to an existing solar setup. Tesla also offers backup functionality where the appropriate configuration and equipment are installed. Tesla
SigEnergy SigenStor
The SigEnergy SigenStor is a modular energy storage system designed to combine several energy functions within a single system.
Underwood Electrical is a certified SigEnergy installer and can design and install SigenStor systems for suitable domestic and commercial applications.
Not sure which battery is right for you?
That's exactly what our design process is for. We can look at your existing or proposed solar system, energy consumption, tariff and future requirements before recommending a suitable solution.
What Battery Storage Solutions Are Available?
Underwood Electrical specialises in certified installations for both Battery Storage and Solar PV systems.
Two of the leading products on the market — Tesla and SigEnergy — are available for professional installation by our team.
This includes the Tesla Powerwall 3 and the SigEnergy SigenStor 5‑in‑One.
Discover how Underwood Electrical can help you reduce your energy bills and become more energy independent today.
How much does battery storage cost?
The cost of a battery storage installation depends on the battery capacity, inverter requirements, electrical work, system configuration and whether the battery is being installed alongside solar PV.
As a guide, Underwood Electrical currently advertises battery storage installations from £2,795, including a 5.2 kWh battery, AC-coupled inverter, installation and MCS certification, subject to site survey and system suitability.
For a more accurate price, we recommend a site survey and a bespoke system design.
Is battery storage worth it?
For many households, battery storage can be a worthwhile investment, particularly where there is:
- - Existing or planned solar PV
- - Significant evening electricity usage
- - A suitable off-peak or time-of-use tariff
- - An electric vehicle
- - A heat pump
- - A desire to increase energy independence
- - A requirement for backup power
However, the financial benefit varies considerably from property to property.
Rather than promising a fixed saving, we look at your individual electricity consumption, generation, tariff and proposed system to establish whether battery storage makes sense for you.
A properly sized battery is usually more important than simply choosing the largest battery available.
Why choose Underwood Electrical?
When you're investing in battery storage, the installation is just as important as the battery itself.
Underwood Electrical provides:
MCS Certified Installation
We are MCS certified for Solar PV and Battery Storage installations.
Experienced Electrical Installers
Underwood Electrical has been established since 2005 and provides electrical and renewable energy installations across the region.
Bespoke System Design
We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Your system is designed around your property and energy requirements.
Leading Battery Technology
We install systems from recognised manufacturers including Tesla and SigEnergy.
Local Installation Team
We work throughout Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and surrounding areas.
Honest Advice
Our aim is to recommend a system that is appropriate for your home and your energy requirements, rather than simply selling you the largest system possible.
Battery Storage FAQs
Do I need solar panels to have a home battery?
No. A battery can be charged from the grid as well as from solar, depending on the system and tariff.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
In many cases, yes. We'll assess your existing solar installation and recommend a compatible configuration.
How long does a battery last?
Battery lifespan depends on the technology, usage and operating conditions. The manufacturer's warranty and specifications should be considered when comparing systems.
Will a battery work during a power cut?
Only if the system has been designed and installed with suitable backup functionality. Not every battery installation provides backup power, so this should be discussed during the design stage.
Can I charge my battery using cheap electricity?
Some battery systems can be configured to charge from the grid during cheaper tariff periods. The exact functionality depends on the battery, electricity supplier, tariff and system configuration.
Can a battery charge my electric car?
Battery storage can form part of a wider solar and EV charging system, although the best configuration will depend on the equipment and your energy requirements.
Is battery storage VAT free?
Certain energy-saving products and installations in Great Britain can qualify for 0% VAT when the eligibility requirements are met. Your installer is responsible for applying the correct VAT treatment to the installation.
Get a Free Battery Storage Design
Thinking about adding battery storage to your home or business?
We'll consider your electricity usage, existing solar PV system, tariff and future energy requirements before recommending a solution.
Request your free battery storage design and quotation today.
Call 01782 703255 Request a Free Design
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We offer free estimates for electrical additions or replacements.
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