Batteries & Inverters

We always recommend a battery storage add-on for our systems, but we do advise that you consider a few factors before you take the leap:

• Energy usage: If you use most of your energy when the sun is down, you’ll benefit greatly from a solar battery. Solar panels work at peak level during the daytime, so while you’re out and about, your battery can store this generated energy for you to use when you need.

• Cost: It’s always worth considering if your lifestyle will make the initial cost of a solar battery worthwhile. For instance, if you work away a lot, you may not reap the rewards compared to someone who spends a lot of time at home.

• Space: One of the many benefits of solar batteries is that they are compact in size and able to be stored in colder environments, including a garage or loft. If you don’t have this type of space readily available, there’s always the option of a freestanding waterproof cabinet to shelter the battery outside your home. Some batteries are also available in ‘stackable’ systems that’ll help you save space.

There’s no need to buy more batteries than your system can charge. If you do decide that you want more storage space, you’ll have the choice of buying one or two larger batteries or lots of little ones. We recommend several smaller batteries as if one needs replacing, the cost will be much less than it would to replace a large battery.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most used battery in domestic solar energy systems, and here’s why:

• Low cost: They have become the most cost-effective solution for home energy storage with the increase in electric vehicle production, bringing the price down by 97% over 30 years.

• Low maintenance: Even the most affordable Lithium-ion batteries will last for over 6000 charges when paired with a good battery management system.

• High battery energy density: They can hold more energy than a lead acid battery.

• High depth of discharge or efficiency: They can store more energy before they need to recharge.

• Long lifespan: At Wickes Solar, we guarantee that our Lithium-ion batteries will last for at least 12 years. Keeping you online for over a decade.

Lithium-ion batteries generally last between 5 and 15 years with battery management making all the difference. On average, they’ll have 6000 lifecycles, meaning they’ll last for 10 years with just 3,650 charges. As your battery will often charge more than once a day, over 10 years you’re more likely to get 6000 charges.

Battery storage can be retrofitted to most solar energy systems, but you’ll need to consider what your inverter is able to charge.

In theory, yes, but most domestic installations don’t consist of enough panels to provide energy for an entire night. You likely won’t have the room to house the number of solar panels you’d need to provide a battery with enough energy for an entire night. However, an SEG will allow you to charge your batteries at night; You just need to remember that it would still take 8 hours to generate enough energy to run the average family home, and most nighttime tariffs are only 4 hours.

With battery-only systems becoming increasingly popular, many energy companies offer a selection of cheap SEGs. This means that your battery is charged overnight when energy costs are low, allowing you to use this power at peak hours without paying a premium. While this is beneficial, we still recommend installing solar panels as this process becomes even cheaper when you can generate energy yourself.

Fortunately, Lithium-ion storage systems don’t require much maintenance, but as the chemicals inside get older they’ll naturally start to degrade. There are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your battery:

• Don’t over or undercharge: Battery management software will take care of this, but it’s important to check the monitoring app regularly.

• Monthly visual checks: All the cables and connections need to be regularly checked to ensure they’re in working order and free from corrosion or oxide. Make sure you turn the power off before cleaning!

• Keep your battery at the right temperature: The optimum temperature for solar batteries to work is between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. While they can function at temperatures as low as - 20, your panels will need to work harder to achieve the same results in these conditions. Thankfully, temperatures as extreme as these are uncommon in the UK.

• Don’t overload your battery: If you draw too much power from a battery too quickly by plugging in several appliances at once, you can overload it. However, your battery management system should stop this from happening.

• Replace your battery when necessary: At Wickes Solar powered by Solar Fast, we offer a 12-year guarantee on our batteries, Meaning you won’t have to lift a finger for over a decade.

• Store your battery properly: It’s really crucial that you store your battery somewhere dry, whether in your home or in a purpose-built shelter outside.

Not always. Some batteries can charge from the grid if you don’t have solar panels. But if you have solar, a battery helps you store and use more of your own energy, saving you more over time.

We only install batteries on systems we have installed. This is to protect your warranties and ensure full compatibility. If you’re thinking about adding a battery later, let us know during your solar consultation - we'll future-proof your system for it.

It depends on the model. Our range includes batteries from around 5kWh to over 13kWh, with options to stack or expand if you need more storage.

Some battery systems can power essential circuits during an outage, but it depends on the design. We'll let you know your options when we plan your system.

Most batteries come with a 10-year warranty - and with good maintenance, many will keep performing for even longer. We only work with trusted, proven manufacturers.

Yes. Once your battery is full, any unused solar energy can be exported back to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), meaning you could get paid for every extra unit you send.