As UK businesses face rising energy costs, grid instability, and mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, the ability to generate and manage your own electricity has never been more valuable. While solar panels have become a familiar sight on commercial rooftops, many organisations are now taking the next step by integrating solar battery storage systems.
A solar battery storage system allows you to capture excess electricity produced by your solar panels and store it for use later, whether that’s during peak-demand periods, after sunset, or in the event of a power outage. This technology transforms solar power from a daytime-only resource into a round-the-clock energy solution, helping businesses reduce their reliance on the grid, lower electricity bills, and improve operational resilience.
What Are Solar Battery Storage Systems?
Solar battery storage systems are technologies that store excess electricity generated by solar panels for use at a later time. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your site consumes, typically during daylight hours, the surplus energy is stored in a battery instead of being exported to the grid. This stored energy can then be used during the evening, during grid outages, or when tariffs are at their highest.
A typical system comprises:
- Lithium-ion or flow batteries for storage
- A hybrid or bidirectional inverter
- A battery management system (BMS)
- Optional energy monitoring software
These components work together to ensure the energy produced by your solar PV installation is utilised as efficiently as possible. Compared to standalone solar panels, solar battery storage systems maximise self-consumption and can contribute to significant operational savings.
How Do Solar Battery Storage Systems Work with Solar Panels?
Think of solar battery storage systems as the missing link between solar panels and true energy independence. During peak sunlight hours, your solar panels often generate more energy than your facility needs. Rather than exporting this electricity to the grid at a low tariff, battery storage captures and stores it. This stored energy can then be deployed:
- After sunset when panels are inactive
- During peak-rate periods
- As backup during grid interruptions
The process works as follows:
- Solar PV generates DC electricity during the day.
- A solar inverter converts DC to usable AC for immediate use.
- Excess DC is diverted to the battery, stored chemically or electrochemically.
- When needed, stored energy is converted back to AC and supplied to the business.
A valuable addition for any commercial installation, solar battery storage systems provide load balancing, improved grid interaction, and greater flexibility for energy use. When installed by experts like EvoEnergy, they are seamlessly integrated with your existing solar infrastructure and tailored to your site’s operational profile.
Key Business Benefits of Solar Battery Storage Systems
Businesses across the UK are increasingly realising the strategic advantages of adopting solar battery storage systems. Here’s why:
- Maximise Solar Self-Consumption: Avoid feeding surplus energy back to the grid for minimal return. Store it and use it on-site instead.
- Reduce Electricity Costs: Use stored energy during peak-demand periods when grid electricity is most expensive.
- Enhance Energy Security: Keep critical systems running during blackouts or grid disturbances with automated backup power.
- Support Sustainability Goals: Using more renewable energy on-site reduces carbon emissions and helps meet ESG commitments.
For many organisations, these benefits align with broader business objectives, be it cutting costs, improving operational resilience, or demonstrating environmental leadership. Solar battery storage systems also enable participation in grid services, such as demand response or frequency regulation, adding another revenue stream.
How Much Do Solar Battery Storage Systems Cost and What Size Do You Need?
Costs for solar battery storage systems depend on several factors, including energy usage patterns, solar generation capacity, storage duration, and discharge rates. For commercial applications, systems typically range from 30 kWh to several MWh.
| System Size (kWh) | Suitable For | Estimated Cost Range (£) | Approx. Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–100 kWh | Small businesses | £25,000–£60,000 | 6–10 years |
| 100–500 kWh | Medium-sized facilities | £60,000–£200,000 | 5–8 years |
| 500+ kWh | Large-scale commercial sites | £200,000+ | 4–7 years |
Regular maintenance includes battery health checks, software updates, and ensuring environmental conditions are optimal. EvoEnergy offers long-term operation and maintenance packages to ensure your system remains efficient and compliant.
UK Incentives and Financial Support for Battery Storage
While there’s no standalone grant scheme specifically for solar battery storage systems, several incentives and funding opportunities make them financially viable when integrated with solar PV:
- 100% First-Year Capital Allowances (including via the Full Expensing Scheme) for eligible businesses
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Receive payments for surplus energy exported to the grid
- Enhanced funding through Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and SECR compliance improvements
- Potential revenue via participation in grid flexibility services (National Grid Balancing Mechanism)
Partnering with EvoEnergy means you’ll get expert support navigating the financial landscape, identifying the best funding routes, and ensuring maximum return on investment.
Is Your Business Ready for Solar Battery Storage Systems?
Before investing in solar battery storage systems, it’s important to understand whether your operations, energy usage, and goals align with the benefits these systems deliver. While they can transform the way your business consumes and manages electricity, they work best when tailored to your unique needs.
Ask yourself:
- Do you already have, or plan to install, a solar PV system to generate on-site renewable energy?
- Are you on a time-of-use or demand-based tariff where peak charges significantly impact your bills?
- Would uninterrupted power help protect critical operations, equipment, or customer services during grid outages?
- Are you actively pursuing net-zero commitments, ESG targets, or corporate sustainability objectives?
If the answer to most of these is yes, your business is likely well-positioned to benefit from solar battery storage systems. By conducting a professional site and load assessment, EvoEnergy can analyse your generation capacity, consumption patterns, and storage requirements to design a system that delivers the best financial and operational returns. This ensures your investment works hard for your business from day one.
Why Choose EvoEnergy for Your Solar Battery Storage Project?
At EvoEnergy, we’ve helped some of the UK’s largest businesses, including food manufacturers, universities, and logistics hubs, achieve energy resilience and cost savings through custom-designed solar battery storage systems.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Industry-leading expertise in large-scale solar and battery integration
- In-house teams for consultancy, design, installation, and maintenance
- Proven success across private and public sectors
- Commitment to safety, compliance, and long-term performance
We don’t just install systems, we deliver complete solutions aligned with your commercial needs and sustainability goals.
Power Up Your Future with Solar Battery Storage Systems
Investing in solar battery storage systems is more than just a tech upgrade, it’s a strategic move towards smarter energy management, reduced carbon emissions, and stronger business resilience. By storing and using your own clean energy, you gain greater control over costs, protect operations from grid instability, and strengthen your sustainability credentials.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing solar PV setup or design a brand-new integrated system, EvoEnergy can provide the expertise, technology, and ongoing support to ensure your investment delivers maximum value. With the right solution in place, your business can enjoy consistent energy savings, improved operational security, and a clear path toward net-zero goals.
Ready to take control of your energy future? Contact EvoEnergy to explore how our solar battery storage systems can help your business save money, cut emissions, and improve operational resilience.