In the face of rising energy costs, increasing sustainability targets, and an unpredictable electricity market, UK businesses are rethinking how they generate and manage power. One of the most significant trends in recent years is the move towards working with solar panel companies that also provide a battery energy storage system. This integrated approach allows organisations to not only produce their own clean electricity but also store surplus energy for use during peak demand or when generation dips, maximising the value of every kilowatt-hour produced.
By sourcing both solar PV and battery storage from a single provider, businesses benefit from seamless system integration, streamlined installation, and a unified maintenance plan, all of which enhance efficiency and reliability. The result is improved energy independence, optimised use of generated solar power, and stronger returns on investment.
This blog will explore why more UK businesses are choosing this combined solution, covering its operational and financial benefits, resilience against market volatility, and the role of available UK incentives.
Why Choosing a Combined Solar and Battery Provider Matters?
When a solar installation is paired with a battery energy storage system from the same provider, businesses benefit from more than just renewable energy generation, they gain a fully optimised, future-ready energy solution.
- Seamless integration: The solar PV and battery components are designed to work in harmony, ensuring optimal charging and discharging cycles, maximum efficiency, and minimal energy loss.
- Single point of accountability: With one company handling design, installation, and maintenance, communication is streamlined, and issues are resolved quickly without back-and-forth between multiple suppliers.
- Faster deployment: Coordinated project management means fewer scheduling conflicts and reduced downtime, allowing businesses to start saving sooner.
- Consistent aftercare: Ongoing maintenance and performance monitoring are handled by a team that understands the entire system, enabling faster troubleshooting and better long-term reliability.
This approach not only simplifies the process but also ensures that the battery energy storage system is perfectly matched to the solar array’s capacity and the business’s specific energy usage patterns.
Choosing Between a Single-Provider and Multi-Provider Solar Project
When planning a commercial solar installation, one of the earliest decisions you’ll face is whether to work with a single provider for the full project or coordinate multiple providers yourself. The choice can significantly affect your project’s timeline, costs, system performance, and long-term support.
| Factor | Single-Provider Project | Multi-Provider Project |
|---|---|---|
| Project Timelines | Typically faster due to centralised project management, one contract, and streamlined communication. | Coordination between multiple companies can often be longer, as it can cause delays and scheduling conflicts. |
| Upfront Costs | May be slightly higher initially due to bundled services, but offers more predictable pricing with fewer hidden costs. | Can appear cheaper at first when sourcing individual components or services separately, but risk of cost overruns from misalignment or rework. |
| Integration Quality | High. All components are designed, installed, and tested to work seamlessly together by the same provider. | Variable. Quality depends on how well different providers’ systems and processes align; risk of incompatibility issues. |
| Aftercare & Long-Term Support | One point of contact for maintenance, warranties, and system upgrades, ensuring consistent service history. | Support may be fragmented, with each provider responsible only for their part, making issue resolution slower and more complex. |
Which option is best?
- If your priority is speed, quality assurance, and convenience, a single-provider approach often delivers the most predictable and stress-free experience.
- If you have in-house technical expertise and the capacity to manage multiple contracts, a multi-provider setup may offer upfront savings but comes with more coordination challenges.
Next step: If you’re exploring a solar project and want the efficiency and reliability of a single-provider partner, EvoEnergy offers end-to-end design, installation, and maintenance, ensuring your system performs at its best for decades.
Maximising Solar Power Use with Battery Energy Storage Systems
One of the strongest advantages of pairing solar PV with a battery energy storage system is the ability to capture surplus electricity generated during sunny periods and store it for later use. Instead of exporting excess power to the grid at low rates, businesses can draw from stored energy in the evening, during peak tariff hours, or when solar production dips due to weather.
This approach reduces dependence on costly grid electricity, optimises self-consumption, and ensures that more of the energy generated is used on-site where it delivers the most value. For sectors with fluctuating operational demands—such as manufacturing, hospitality, or logistics—this means greater flexibility, predictable energy costs, and improved sustainability performance without compromising productivity.
Financial Benefits for UK Businesses
Pairing solar PV with a battery energy storage system is not just an environmental decision, it’s a powerful financial strategy. By storing cheap off-peak electricity or surplus solar generation, businesses can avoid purchasing energy at premium peak rates. This leads to substantial monthly savings that add up over the system’s lifespan.
The improved self-consumption rate also means a faster return on investment, as more of the generated energy is used directly on-site rather than exported at lower rates. Additionally, a battery energy storage system acts as a buffer against unpredictable energy market fluctuations, offering greater budget stability.
A 2024 industry survey revealed that UK businesses combining solar and storage achieved payback periods 20–30% faster than those with solar-only setups, proving the long-term economic value of integrated solutions.
Sample Cost-Benefit Comparison Table using typical UK commercial solar figures.
| System Type | Upfront Cost (£) | Annual Savings (£) | Payback Period (Years) | Lifetime ROI (% over 25 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar-Only System | £60,000 | £8,000 | 7.5 | 233% |
| Solar + Battery System | £90,000 | £12,500 | 7.2 | 247% |
Assumptions:
- Figures based on a medium-to-large UK commercial rooftop installation (~100 kWp solar, 200 kWh battery for hybrid).
- Electricity price assumed at £0.25/kWh, with modest annual inflation.
- Battery enables additional savings by storing excess solar for peak-rate use and providing backup during grid outages.
- ROI calculated over 25 years, factoring in degradation rates and typical maintenance costs.
Increased Energy Independence and Resilience
For many industries, operational continuity is critical. A battery energy storage system ensures businesses can continue functioning during grid outages or periods of instability. Stored energy can power essential equipment, servers, lighting, and safety systems until normal supply resumes. This level of resilience is particularly valuable for manufacturing plants, cold storage facilities, and healthcare providers, where downtime can result in significant financial or reputational losses.
Government Incentives and Policy Support in the UK
Several UK schemes encourage investment in solar PV with a battery energy storage system, helping businesses offset costs:
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Get paid for surplus electricity exported to the grid.
- Capital Allowances: Offset equipment costs against taxable profits.
- Local grants and funding schemes: Certain regions offer financial support for renewable energy projects.
Working with an experienced provider ensures businesses can navigate eligibility criteria and application processes efficiently.
How to Choose the Right Solar Panel Company for Battery Storage?
Selecting a provider that can supply both solar PV and a battery energy storage system should involve more than comparing quotes. Consider:
- Experience in integrated installations
- Industry certifications (e.g., MCS, NICEIC)
- Transparent financial projections
- Comprehensive aftercare and monitoring services
Choosing an established provider like EvoEnergy ensures technical expertise, regulatory compliance, and long-term support.
Powering a Smarter, More Independent Future
Combining solar PV with a battery energy storage system is one of the most effective ways for UK businesses to lower costs, reduce carbon emissions, and safeguard against energy price volatility. By partnering with a solar panel company that can deliver both solutions, businesses benefit from seamless integration, stronger ROI, and reliable aftercare.
EvoEnergy designs, installs, and maintains integrated solar and battery solutions for large businesses across the UK. Contact our team today to explore how a tailored system could help your organisation take control of its energy future.