Key Takeaways
- Solar batteries cost between £2,000 – £11,000
- Greenlinx – £1,500 – £2,500
- Tesla Powerwall – £7,500 – £10,000
- No grants currently
- You’ll typically only need the one
- They will save you money in the long run
How much is a solar battery?
Some say the average is £900 per kWh. But we’ve looked around and have found cheaper. You can expect to pay between £2,000 and £11,000 depending on a few factors below, so it’s worth shopping around to get the best value for money.
How much do lithium-ion batteries cost based on kWh?
| Lithium-Ion Battery | Average Costs |
|---|---|
| 5.8 kWh | £2,800 |
| 6.5 kWh | £3,500 |
| 10 kWh | £4,800 |
Top 5 Solar Batteries and Costs Ranked
Just because a battery is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best one you can get. When choosing a battery check out how many cycles it can do, the power output and lifespan.
Here’s our best buys on the market.
| Brand | Power Storage (kWh) | Average Cost (£) | Lifespan (cycles) | Material |
| Tesla PowerWall 3 with Gateway | 13.5 | 11,500 | Unlimited* | Lithium Ion |
| Tesla PowerWall 2 with Gateway | 13.5 | 8,000-10,000 | Unlimited* | Lithium Ion |
| MyEnergi Libbi | 5.12 | 825 | 10,000 | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Greenlinx – Solar Fast | 3.2 | 2,500 | 6,000 | HPD Lithium |
| SolaX Triple Power | 5.8 | 3,000 | 6,000 | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| SolarEdge Battery BAT-10K1P | 10 | 6,000 | Unlimited* | Lithium Ion |
| LG Chem | 10 | 4,493 | 6,000 | Lithium Ion |
| BYD Premium HVS 5.1 Battery Box | 5.12 | 5,299 | Unlimited* | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Powerpod | 15 | 14,236 | 6,000 | Lithium Ion |
| Triple Power H30 | 3 | 2,600 | 6,000 | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
Will a solar battery save me money?
Yes. You should avoid paying premium rates at peak times – and remember, the energy companies pay a lot less for your electricity than you pay for theirs. The current UK price cap is the highest it’s ever been at 27p per kWh as of the Spring 2023 Budget update. That is soon going to build up and is set to be reviewed in July 2023.
Are there any grants available for solar batteries in the UK?
No. Solar grants nearly derailed the industry by offering customers ridiculous prices for ANY electricity they produced when introduced in 2011.
The prices were gradually lowered and then phased out totally to allow energy companies to set the prices – those companies need to make money so they will always pay less than they charge you.
But, all is not lost, domestic systems are completely exempt from VAT and that includes all the bits – from panels to the wiring. A 20% saving on any installation. Businesses can expect to pay 5% VAT for commercial installations.
Do I need more than one solar battery?
Yes, you can have more than one, but one is usually more than ok. But it depends on how much consumption you use in your home, how much power you can generate and how you use the power you have – plus how big the battery is!
Check out: How many solar panels do I need?
What types of solar batteries are available?
| Battery Type | Description | Used for |
| Lithium Ion | Low maintenance, holds more energy than lead acid, long lifespan | Residential solar panels |
| Lead-acid | Old technology, very cheap, lasts 5-10 years | Off grid |
| Nickel-cadmium | Heavily restricted in the UK due to being poisonous | industrial settings |
| Flow | Can last for 30 years, but low storage capacity | industrial power storage and large community solar projects |
| Graphene | Uses same material as pencils, far too expensive for residential solar panels! | Nothing yet! |
What are the pros and cons of solar batteries?
| Pros | Cons |
| Use your own generated electricity | High upfront cost |
| Power after sunset | Needs replacement after 10 years (approx.) |
| Potentially sell excess energy (grid dependent) | Some suppliers may not accept battery-generated power |
Conclusion
Solar energy is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints everywhere – from huge factories and warehouses to schools and family homes. Why is it getting so popular? Rising energy prices, fuel scarcity and other cost of living factors.
Basically, if you can exert a certain amount of control on your energy bills you will feel less worried and stressed about the future. One way to make a solar energy system even more cost effective is to ensure you have solar panel battery storage for your excess energy.
Have a look at our top rated, best solar panel batteries in the UK.
