Can I Add a Battery to my Solar System?

Are you thinking about boosting your solar setup with a battery? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll explore the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of integrating a battery with your existing solar system.

Whether you’re looking to keep the lights on during a power outage, want to reduce your electricity bills, or simply aspire to be more energy-independent, adding a battery to your solar system could be the game changer you’re looking for. Let’s get into it.

Key Takeaways

• Benefits of adding battery to solar system
• How to add a battery to my solar system
• Upgrade to solar

Benefits of Adding a Battery to a Solar System

Adding a solar battery to a solar energy system offers several benefits that can improve its overall performance and functionality. These include:

• A battery backup – During power outages or periods of low solar generation, the battery stores excess energy produced by the solar system. This stored energy can then power essential appliances and devices, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity.
• Utility grid independence – Even during grid failures or disruptions, the solar system can operate autonomously. This independence grants homeowners peace of mind, knowing that they can still rely on their solar system for electricity, regardless of external factors.
• Store excess solar power – Often, a solar system generates more electricity than what is immediately consumed. In these cases, the excess energy can be stored in the battery for later use. This stored energy can be used during periods of low solar generation, effectively maximising the system’s overall efficiency.
• Better energy efficiency – Stored energy can be strategically used during peak demand hours when electricity rates are higher. By drawing on the battery during these periods, homeowners can reduce their reliance on grid electricity, resulting in significant cost savings.

How to Add a Battery to Your Solar System

Adding a battery to your solar system can be a smart and practical decision, as it allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use during the night or on cloudy days. This not only helps to maximise the efficiency of your solar system but also provides you with a continuous and reliable power supply. But, how do you do it? All it takes is the right equipment and some careful planning.

DC-Coupled Systems

In DC-coupled solutions, your inverter will be replaced by one that works with both a battery and solar system – these are called hybrid inverters.

The solar panels are directly connected to the battery bank and charge it by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. This approach is generally more efficient as there are fewer conversion losses since the electricity does not need to be converted to alternating current (AC) before being stored.

However, DC-coupled solutions are typically more expensive and complex to install as they require specialised equipment to handle the higher voltage DC power.

AC-Coupled Systems

On the other hand, AC-coupled battery solutions use two solar inverters – your standard one and another separate inverter, often referred to as a ‘storage inverter’, which is responsible for charging the battery.

This system involves converting the electricity from the solar panels into AC before it is stored in the battery. This allows for more flexibility as the solar panels can be connected to the existing AC electrical system of the property.

AC-coupled solutions are generally less expensive and easier to install as they do not require the use of specialised equipment. However, they are slightly less efficient than DC-coupled solutions due to the additional conversion from DC to AC.

Upgrade To Solar With Grant Store

Interested in cheaper electricity? Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current system or invest in going solar for the first time, trust our experts to help.

With years of experience, we are here to answer all of your questions, from the cost of solar batteries to the size of the system you need. And, when you’ve made your decision, our installers will get everything up and running without a hitch.

Give our friendly team a call today, and we can get you started on your journey to a more sustainable future. We can even help you secure funding via the latest UK solar grants.