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Illustrative home battery and inverter installation in a bright modern British garage

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Home Battery Storage

Home Battery Storage

Home Battery Storage

Understand what a home battery can do, how to size it and what needs to be considered before installation. SolaMax designs integrated solar and battery solutions and provides coordinated technical support after handover.

Understand what a home battery can do, how to size it and what needs to be considered before installation. SolaMax designs integrated solar and battery solutions and provides coordinated technical support after handover.

Get Your Free Quote

Get Your Free Quote

How It Works

How It Works

Is Battery Storage Right for Your Home?

Is Battery Storage Right for Your Home?

Energy After Sunset

Consider storing available solar surplus for household use later in the day.

Future Electricity Demand

Assess battery capacity and discharge power alongside future household loads.

Tariff Flexibility

Compatible systems may support scheduled grid charging on suitable tariffs.

Coordinated Support

Plan equipment, installation and technical support as one assessed system.

How Home Battery Storage Works

How Home Battery Storage Works

How Home Battery Storage Works

A home battery stores electrical energy for use at another time. In a typical solar installation, excess generation can charge the battery during daylight, and stored electricity can help run household loads later. Depending on the equipment and tariff, grid charging during lower-cost periods may also be possible. Batteries move electricity between times; they do not generate additional energy.

A home battery stores electrical energy for use at another time. In a typical solar installation, excess generation can charge the battery during daylight, and stored electricity can help run household loads later. Depending on the equipment and tariff, grid charging during lower-cost periods may also be possible. Batteries move electricity between times; they do not generate additional energy.

A sensible decision requires understanding both the energy available and the speed at which it can be delivered. The distinction between capacity and power is often more important than the battery’s headline marketing number.

A sensible decision requires understanding both the energy available and the speed at which it can be delivered. The distinction between capacity and power is often more important than the battery’s headline marketing number.

Illustrative AC-coupled battery configuration
Solar PV — optionalDC generationPV inverter — optionalDC → AC conversionBatteryDC storageBattery inverterBidirectional DC / ACHomeAC household loadsGrid connectionAC import / exportDCACDCACAC distributionand meteringImport / exportCharging: AC → inverter → DC battery. Discharging: DC battery → inverter → AC home.Solar PV — optionalDC generationPV inverter — optionalSolar DC → ACBattery inverterBidirectional DC / ACBatteryDC storageHomeAC household loadsGrid connectionAC import / exportDCAC distribution + meteringDC charge / dischargeAC
This example shows an AC-coupled arrangement. Solar PV is optional and is shown with its own inverter. Other approved designs, including compatible hybrid systems, use different connections. Import, export, scheduling and power limits depend on the specified equipment and grid arrangements. This diagram does not depict backup operation.

Understanding Battery Capacity and Power

Understanding Battery Capacity and Power

Understanding Battery Capacity and Power

kWh

Energy stored

Capacity describes the amount of energy available. Check usable capacity, reserve settings and stated conditions.

kW

Rate of delivery

Power describes how quickly energy can be supplied. Simultaneous appliance demand must be considered against the discharge limit.

Capacity in kWh describes the energy that can be stored. Power in kW describes how quickly the system can charge or discharge. Consider a battery advertised as 10 kWh with a maximum continuous discharge power of 3 kW. It may be capable of supporting moderate household loads for several hours, but a 5 kW instantaneous demand would not be fully covered by that battery alone. Power above the available discharge limit would usually need another source, subject to the system’s controls and electrical design.

Capacity in kWh describes the energy that can be stored. Power in kW describes how quickly the system can charge or discharge. Consider a battery advertised as 10 kWh with a maximum continuous discharge power of 3 kW. It may be capable of supporting moderate household loads for several hours, but a 5 kW instantaneous demand would not be fully covered by that battery alone. Power above the available discharge limit would usually need another source, subject to the system’s controls and electrical design.

Nominal capacity and usable capacity are not necessarily the same. The battery management system can reserve part of its state-of-charge range for protection or longevity. Ask what usable energy is provided by the specified configuration and under which test conditions.

Nominal capacity and usable capacity are not necessarily the same. The battery management system can reserve part of its state-of-charge range for protection or longevity. Ask what usable energy is provided by the specified configuration and under which test conditions.

Choosing the Right Battery Size

Choosing the Right Battery Size

Choosing the Right Battery Size

We consider your evening and overnight consumption, available PV surplus, peak power demand, tariff structure, future electrification plans and available installation space. Oversizing can add cost without improving the value of electricity shifted. Undersizing may limit evening coverage or flexibility for larger loads. The right answer is project-specific.

We consider your evening and overnight consumption, available PV surplus, peak power demand, tariff structure, future electrification plans and available installation space. Oversizing can add cost without improving the value of electricity shifted. Undersizing may limit evening coverage or flexibility for larger loads. The right answer is project-specific.

Illustrative battery sizes, not product recommendations

Illustrative battery capacity, not a product recommendation

Around 5 kWh

Could suit a property with relatively modest evening demand.

Illustrative battery capacity, not a product recommendation

Around 10 kWh

May offer more flexibility for a household with meaningful evening use.

Illustrative battery capacity, not a product recommendation

Around 15–16 kWh

Worth considering where demand, solar generation and operating strategy justify it.

These are prompts for assessment, not universal suitability thresholds. A specific quote must confirm usable capacity, continuous and peak power, installation conditions and manufacturer warranty terms.

QuestionWhy we ask it
How much electricity is used after sunset?Helps estimate useful stored energy
How much solar is likely to be surplus?Determines how often the battery can charge from PV
Which appliances run together?Establishes the power requirement
Is off-peak charging attractive?Changes the operating strategy
Is backup power needed?Requires specific hardware, circuits and switching
Is more capacity planned later?May affect the selected system architecture

Battery Technology and BMS

Battery Technology and BMS

Battery Technology and BMS

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in residential storage. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is one common chemistry, but the relevant choice is a complete certified product and system, not chemistry alone. A battery management system (BMS) monitors operating conditions and helps protect the cells against operating outside specified limits. It does not remove the need for correct design, electrical protection and installation.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in residential storage. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is one common chemistry, but the relevant choice is a complete certified product and system, not chemistry alone. A battery management system (BMS) monitors operating conditions and helps protect the cells against operating outside specified limits. It does not remove the need for correct design, electrical protection and installation.

Charging and Discharging

Charging and Discharging

Charging and Discharging

Some compatible systems support scheduled charging from the mains, which may help on suitable time-of-use tariffs. The benefit depends on the difference between buying electricity at different times, losses, cycling and the tariff contract. Any automatic tariff optimisation should be demonstrated as a supported feature of the specified equipment rather than assumed to work across all brands.

Some compatible systems support scheduled charging from the mains, which may help on suitable time-of-use tariffs. The benefit depends on the difference between buying electricity at different times, losses, cycling and the tariff contract. Any automatic tariff optimisation should be demonstrated as a supported feature of the specified equipment rather than assumed to work across all brands.

Efficiency is not 100%. Charging, discharging and conversion involve losses, so a battery cannot deliver exactly every kilowatt-hour that entered it. Compare stated efficiency figures carefully because tests may cover the battery alone or the entire AC-to-AC system. Capacity can also reduce gradually through ageing and use.

Efficiency is not 100%. Charging, discharging and conversion involve losses, so a battery cannot deliver exactly every kilowatt-hour that entered it. Compare stated efficiency figures carefully because tests may cover the battery alone or the entire AC-to-AC system. Capacity can also reduce gradually through ageing and use.

Hypothetical operating sequence — explanatory only, not measured performance.
01

Charge

Compatible controls may store surplus solar, where installed, or schedule grid charging under a suitable tariff.

02

Store

The system retains energy within its permitted state-of-charge range and reserve settings.

03

Discharge

Stored electricity can meet household demand within the system’s available power and operating limits.

Where Can a Home Battery Be Installed?

Where Can a Home Battery Be Installed?

Where Can a Home Battery Be Installed?

The installation location depends on the specific product and applicable installation guidance. The survey should consider access, structural support, environmental protection, temperature range, ventilation and clearances, fire-safety requirements, cable routes and the relationship to living spaces or escape routes. Some batteries are designed for suitable outdoor locations; others are not. An attractive-looking product should never be located solely for convenience if that conflicts with manufacturer instructions or applicable standards.

The installation location depends on the specific product and applicable installation guidance. The survey should consider access, structural support, environmental protection, temperature range, ventilation and clearances, fire-safety requirements, cable routes and the relationship to living spaces or escape routes. Some batteries are designed for suitable outdoor locations; others are not. An attractive-looking product should never be located solely for convenience if that conflicts with manufacturer instructions or applicable standards.

We confirm the proposed position and installation scope before work begins. A survey may reveal that a preferred location is unsuitable or needs further assessment.

We confirm the proposed position and installation scope before work begins. A survey may reveal that a preferred location is unsuitable or needs further assessment.

Indoor placement

Assess access, structural support, clearances, ventilation and the relationship to living spaces and escape routes. The selected product and safety requirements determine suitability.

Outdoor placement

Some batteries are designed for suitable outdoor locations; others are not. Confirm environmental protection, operating temperature, access and the proposed position.

Battery Compatibility

Battery Compatibility

Battery Compatibility

Compatibility involves battery voltage, inverter firmware, communication arrangements, BMS support and approved combinations. Our normal focus is on properly designed new solar-plus-battery projects. An existing third-party system should never be described as compatible until assessed and accepted for a specific proposal.

Compatibility involves battery voltage, inverter firmware, communication arrangements, BMS support and approved combinations. Our normal focus is on properly designed new solar-plus-battery projects. An existing third-party system should never be described as compatible until assessed and accepted for a specific proposal.

If your objective is to increase the use of electricity generated on your roof, compare the complete Solar + Battery offering. If your objective is to use daytime generation directly, see Solar Panels. Interested in future vehicle charging? See EV Charging.

If your objective is to increase the use of electricity generated on your roof, compare the complete Solar + Battery offering. If your objective is to use daytime generation directly, see Solar Panels. Interested in future vehicle charging? See EV Charging.

Do batteries provide backup power?

Do batteries provide backup power?

Do batteries provide backup power?

Not all do. A standard grid-connected battery may stop exporting power during a grid outage unless backup hardware and a suitable installation configuration are provided. If backup is specified, we assess the required circuits, available discharge power, switching, battery reserve and how solar generation can or cannot operate during an outage. A large-capacity battery can still have a limited backup power rating.

Not all do. A standard grid-connected battery may stop exporting power during a grid outage unless backup hardware and a suitable installation configuration are provided. If backup is specified, we assess the required circuits, available discharge power, switching, battery reserve and how solar generation can or cannot operate during an outage. A large-capacity battery can still have a limited backup power rating.

Costs and Financial Considerations

Costs and Financial Considerations

Costs and Financial Considerations

Price is affected by usable capacity, power capability, inverter integration, electrical protection, installation location and optional backup arrangements. Battery warranties can differ in years, energy throughput, retained-capacity thresholds and exclusions. A longer headline term does not necessarily mean broader coverage. SolaMax explains the particular equipment warranty and our service coordination arrangements in the written proposal. See Service & Warranty.

Price is affected by usable capacity, power capability, inverter integration, electrical protection, installation location and optional backup arrangements. Battery warranties can differ in years, energy throughput, retained-capacity thresholds and exclusions. A longer headline term does not necessarily mean broader coverage. SolaMax explains the particular equipment warranty and our service coordination arrangements in the written proposal. See Service & Warranty.

Why SolaMax

Why SolaMax

SolaMax

Complete project management

One coordinated journey from quotation to commissioning.

One coordinated journey from quotation to commissioning.

Engineering-led system design

System sizing, compatibility and operating assumptions are considered together.

System sizing, compatibility and operating assumptions are considered together.

Own technical servicing

A central contact for technical questions after handover.

A central contact for technical questions after handover.

Whole-system warranty coordination

Clear support across the installed arrangement under the agreed terms.

Clear support across the installed arrangement under the agreed terms.

Installation and Support Process

Installation and Support Process

Installation and Support Process

SolaMax coordinates your project from assessment and quotation through installation and handover, then remains your central contact for technical and warranty-related enquiries under the agreed terms.

SolaMax coordinates your project from assessment and quotation through installation and handover, then remains your central contact for technical and warranty-related enquiries under the agreed terms.

SolaMax coordinates your project from assessment and quotation through installation and handover, then remains your central contact for technical and warranty-related enquiries under the agreed terms.

1. Initial conversation.

We ask about your property, electricity use, budget and future requirements.

2. Assessment and design.

We consider household demand, battery capacity and power, compatibility and installation conditions.

3. Written proposal.

You receive a stated equipment specification, installation scope, assumptions and commercial terms.

4. Coordinated installation.

SolaMax manages the project and coordinates appropriate installation specialists.

5. Commissioning and handover.

We explain how to operate and monitor the agreed system and provide the applicable documentation.

6. Service after installation.

SolaMax remains your central contact for technical and warranty-related enquiries under the agreed terms.

Battery Storage FAQs

Battery Storage FAQs

Battery Storage FAQs

It depends on your evening energy use, reserve setting, conversion losses and continuous discharge power. A figure in kWh alone cannot answer whether it will run all the appliances you expect.

Get Your Free Battery Storage Quote

Get Your Free Battery Storage Quote

Get Your Free Battery Storage Quote

Tell us about your property, existing energy use and what you want to achieve. We will help evaluate an appropriate integrated solar and battery design.

Discuss your battery storage project

Discuss your battery storage project

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