You do not always need to replace your panels to add storage. The right approach depends on the inverter, metering, electrical installation and what you want a battery to achieve.
Check how your existing system is connected
Some installations can use an additional battery inverter; others may suit a compatible hybrid arrangement. The design needs to account for the existing inverter, cable routes, equipment condition and grid connection.
Tell us about existing tariff payments
If you receive Feed-in Tariff payments, share the scheme and metering details before any changes. Generation and export measurement arrangements can be relevant. Confirm any reporting or approval requirements with your FIT provider before work proceeds.
Decide what the battery is for
- Using daytime generation later.
- Charging on a suitable lower-cost tariff.
- Supporting selected circuits in a power cut.
- Accommodating future changes in home electricity use.
Ask for a complete installation design
Battery location, usable capacity, output power, protection and controls all matter. Backup needs to be specifically designed; it is not a feature of every battery installation.
Scheme background: Ofgem: Feed-in Tariffs.
Does capacity tell me what the battery can run?
Capacity in kWh describes stored energy; output in kW limits how much can be supplied at once. Ask for both, along with the usable capacity, charging limits and any backup restrictions. A larger energy capacity does not necessarily provide a higher output.
What records should I keep?
Keep the original solar paperwork as well as the battery design, commissioning records and warranty documents. Ask how monitoring will show existing solar and the new battery together, and who will help if either system reports a fault.
Reviewed 9 September 2026. General guidance; your installation and any scheme requirements need individual assessment.
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