How can battery storage save you money?

In the dark days of January, many of us will be thinking about the arrival of the summer sun and where we hope to visit when it does. But there’s more to be gained from the sun than tan lines, long lazy evenings and trips away.

The sun’s energy also provides our homes with one of the cleanest forms of renewable electricity. And when it comes to getting the most from that fusing ball of hydrogen in the sky, energy storage technology is the best way to optimise your consumption of low-cost and renewable energy.

The average annual increase in UK domestic energy prices in 2025 is around 1.2 percent, with the average annual bill for a typical household set to be ￡1,738, a small increase from the previous cap. But while recent increases have been relatively small, the overall trend shows a consistent rise in UK domestic energy prices over the past few years. Large-scale events such as international conflict, industrial action and supply issues can change this almost overnight.?

Put another way, battery storage is one of the best ways to attain control over your energy prices, and independence from the grid. Here’s why we suggest it to our clients.

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Solar energy storage

One of the few problems with solar technology is that it generates energy from the sun’s rays, producing power when most homes aren’t using it. Battery technology is the solution to this – storing that energy and releasing it as electricity when the house is full and the sun is no longer shining.

Capturing this solar energy for later use increases its value, reduces your reliance on the grid and helps you squeeze the most from your investment.?

The amount of electricity your solar system produces is recorded on a generation meter before being distributed to power your lights, appliances and more when required. Any electricity you don’t use or store will flow through to the national grid. Smart Export Guarantee Schemes (SEG) use smart meters to measure the energy exported, and the homeowner is paid accordingly. These are installed by your utility company, and it is worth shopping around for the best SEG price as they vary significantly between utility suppliers.

Hybrid solar inverters are the technology that makes these savings possible. Installed in place of a traditional inverter, they prioritise solar power use within the home when it’s generated, storing the excess in batteries for later use. Once the batteries are full, the excess is fed back to the grid for a small financial return.

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Take advantage of overnight energy rates

While it may not be free, another source of inexpensive energy becomes available for capture and storage once we head to bed. Reduced energy rates at night time grant us the opportunity to charge our batteries during cheap supply periods and use this during expensive periods all year round.

With a growing number of utility providers offering Time of Use Tariffs, battery storage is increasingly beneficial for homeowners.

One of the market leaders is Tesla’s Powerwall 3. This generates 11.5kW of power, both for grid and backup, for an unlimited number of cycles and is able to provide whole-home backup functionality in the event of a power cut or a fragile connection to the grid. It is weather-proof and resistant to flooding up to a depth of 600mm, and uses smart technology to fully charge the batteries in the event of weather that risks a power outage.?

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Emergency Power Supply?

With an Emergency Power Supply (EPS), your lights will stay on even if you have a power cut. It’s a valuable optional extra designed to power essential circuits – think lighting, fridges and WiFi.?

These systems can be configured to feature next-generation PV and Hybrid Inverters, combining the cost-saving features of a hybrid solution with the energy supply continuity benefits of an EPS. A Hybrid solution with EPS will charge the batteries and use direct solar during daylight hours even when there is no grid energy supply.

Of course an EPS requires the batteries to have stored energy at the point of interruption, sufficient to last until the interruption expires.?

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AC coupled battery solutions

If you own a property that already has Solar PV and micro inverters installed, where the battery is positioned in a different location to the Solar PV inverter, then an AC coupled system might be ideal for you. They can be used alongside new installations or as a retrofit battery system, and are well suited to the Rent-a-Roof scheme.

These systems offer similar benefits to hybrid systems, though more flexible and independent from the physical Solar PV equipment.

Regardless of which of these elements appeal to you most, If you wish to capitalise on your property with investment by making energy-saving installations, or simply want to create a greener home for yourself, then factoring battery storage into the equation invites savings and improves the resale demand for your property – ultimately improving your own profits.

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The work we do at The Green Landlady could help you navigate 2025 in confidence. We offer consultancy for businesses and small groups, retrofit training and energy-efficiency. If you have an audience with an appetite for this information, please get in touch. Our founder Raquel Queral is a regular fixture on the conference circuit, on podcasts and at tradeshows.?

For more information on the topics discussed in this article, or to learn more about green property development, visit The Green Landlady website or get in touch here.