By Gary Hockins
Want to reduce your energy bills and be more energy self-sufficient… but what if you don’t have the roof space, the right orientation or the budget for solar panels and battery storage?
Let us answer your questions and help you understand the benefits of battery storage, with or WITHOUT solar panels!
In today’s world, energy conservation and energy efficiency have become paramount for homeowners and commercial properties alike. Battery energy storage systems offer numerous advantages, whether you’re looking to maximise the benefits of your solar panels or seeking a way to store energy for use during peak times. This guide explores the benefits of adding battery energy storage to your home or commercial premises, with or without solar panels, and provides insights on cost-effectiveness, installation, and choosing the right system for your needs.
Adding a battery energy storage system can significantly increase your self-sufficiency from the grid and thereby reduce your energy costs further. Designing the right size battery for your system can take you from 30% to 90% self-sufficient by storing energy for later use, our expert team can advise and guide you to the right system for your needs.
Additionally, you can secure a dual tariff electricity account, which means you can charge the batteries at night whilst the electricity price per unit is cheaper and then discharge the stored energy during the day, reducing your costs even further. Even without a solar panel system, a dual-rate tariff combined with battery energy storage can have a massive impact on reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your energy costs.
The Cumulative Benefits of Battery Storage Systems
Energy Independence: A battery energy storage system allows you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels or during off-peak hours for use when energy demand is high, reducing your reliance on the grid. This is compounded year on year whilst energy costs continue to rise meaning your savings will continue to grow.
Cost Savings: Storing energy helps you avoid peak-time charges, leading to significant savings on your energy bills. This is especially beneficial if your property is fully powered/heated by electricity and/or live in an area with high electricity costs.
Power Backup: During power outages, a battery storage system provides an essential backup, ensuring your home remains powered.
Environmental Impact: Using stored energy reduces your carbon footprint, contributing to a greener planet.
Battery Storage with vs. without Solar Panels
With Solar Panels:
Maximising Solar Power: Adding a battery storage system allows you to store excess energy generated during the day from renewable energy sources like solar power for use at night or during cloudy days.
Remember that if you have a historical Solar Panel system that received the Feed-In Tariff payments, you can still add Battery Storage to the system without it affecting your FIT payments—meaning your generation amount (financially) is multiplied.
Additionally, if you have the space to install another array, you can still have this separate from your existing array and it will not affect your FIT’s payments.
Enhanced Savings: You can use almost all of the energy generated, minimising energy wastage, returning energy to the grid, and reducing your dependency on the grid, therefore saving you money year after year.
Without Solar Panels:
Energy Hack: The simple idea of a battery-only installation is that you charge your batteries during off-peak hours (when energy prices are cheaper) and then use that cheaper stored energy during the day/peak hours (when energy prices are more expensive). With the right calculations and a correctly sized system, you could half your energy bills.
Grid Resilience: Another benefit of battery storage is the system’s ability to provide a backup power source during outages and, of course, savings by avoiding peak rates.
Cost-Effectiveness of Battery Storage
The cost-effectiveness of battery energy storage systems can vary depending on factors such as the size of the system, your energy consumption patterns, and the local cost of electricity. However, many homeowners find that the initial investment pays off over time through energy savings and increased energy independence.
Installation costs are vastly reduced with battery-only installations; no solar panel costs, no scaffolding costs, and reduced material costs make for a more affordable system that is also greener and reduces your dependency on higher rates of electricity.
Installation Time and Process
The installation of a battery storage system typically takes a few hours to a couple of days but is quicker than a solar panel system. It depends on the system’s complexity and your home’s specific requirements. Our Expert installers ensure a seamless and efficient installation process with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Choosing the Right Installer
When selecting an installer for your battery storage system, look for:
- Accreditation and Certification: Ensure the installer is certified and accredited by relevant bodies such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in the UK.
- Experience and Expertise: Choose installers with proven experience and expertise in both solar and battery storage installations.
- Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Check reviews and testimonials from previous customers to gauge the quality of their work and customer service.
Aspect Group Services Have everything required for a quality, compliant installation.
Selecting the Correct Package
To pick the right battery storage package, consider:
- Energy Usage: our experts can Analyse your energy usage patterns to determine the capacity you need.
- Budget: Discuss and propose and propose a system based on your budget with the desired capacity and expected savings.
- Scalability: You can Opt for a system that compliments your budget now but can be added to in the future if your energy needs increase or your budget permits.
Ideal Locations for Battery Installation
Batteries can be installed in various locations, including:
- Garages: A popular choice due to easy access and ventilation.
- Basements: Suitable for homes with ample basement space.
- Utility Rooms: Convenient for integration with existing electrical systems.
- (It is not recommended anymore to install batteries in loft spaces)
Payback Period
The average payback period for a battery storage system ranges from 4 to 10 years, depending on the system size, installation cost, and energy savings. Detailed analysis can help you understand the financial benefits, expected payback period, and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for your specific situation.
Considerations and Legal Requirements
Before installation, be aware of the following:
- Planning Permission: Check if you need planning permission for your installation, especially if you live in a listed building or conservation area – we can help you with this.
- Safety Standards: Ensure the system meets safety standards and regulations to avoid any risks.
Package Inclusions
You should ensure that your system includes:
- MCS Certification
- Scaffolding
- Bird Protection
- Arc Boxes (for safety)
- Optimisers (if required to reduce the effects of shading)
Warranties and Support
Ensure your system will come with a robust warranty and after-sales support.
Interested in exploring battery storage solutions for your home? Contact Aspect Group Services today for expert guidance tailored to your needs.