Are Solar Batteries Worth It In The UK 2025?

Last Updated on May 29, 2025

As the UK continues its push towards renewable energy and net-zero targets, more property owners are turning to solar power. But when it comes to solar battery storage, many are still asking the all-important question: are solar batteries worth it in the UK in 2025?

In this guide, we break down the real value of solar batteries including cost, savings, payback period, return on investment, and government incentives to help you decide if it’s the right move for your property.

Are Solar Batteries Worth It?

Yes, solar batteries can be worth the investment for many UK homeowners and landlords, especially in 2025, with rising energy costs, improved technology, and increasing government support. They enable you to:

• Store excess solar energy generated during the day
• Use stored energy in the evening when rates are highest
• Become more energy independent
• Reduce electricity bills and reliance on the grid
• Increase property value and EPC ratings

Whether a battery is worth it depends on several factors: system size, energy usage, location, available incentives, and how you use electricity (especially during peak hours).

Pros and Cons of Solar Batteries

Should You Get a Solar Battery?

Whether a solar battery is worth the investment depends on your lifestyle, property, and energy usage. Here are key factors to consider when deciding if a solar battery is right for you in 2025:

You Use a Lot of Energy During the Evening

If your household is most active after sunset, using appliances, lighting, heating, or EV charging,  a solar battery allows you to store excess solar power generated during the day and use it when electricity rates are highest. This can lead to substantial savings.

You Work from Home or Use Electricity Throughout the Day

Home-based workers and families with high daytime electricity usage can make excellent use of solar energy as it’s generated. A solar battery further enhances this setup by ensuring any surplus is stored for later, maximising your solar self-consumption.

You Want Protection from Future Energy Price Hikes

Energy prices in the UK remain volatile and are expected to stay high. Investing in a solar battery helps insulate you from rising costs by reducing your dependence on the National Grid. The more self-sufficient your system, the more financially resilient your household becomes.

You Already Have Solar Panels Installed

If you already own a solar PV system, adding a battery can significantly improve your system’s efficiency and return on investment. Instead of exporting unused energy back to the grid for a low rate, you can store it and use it yourself, increasing your long-term savings.

You Want to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Solar batteries allow you to use more of your own clean, renewable energy and reduce the need to draw electricity from fossil fuel-based sources. This means fewer CO₂ emissions and a more sustainable, eco-conscious way of living,  especially if you’re committed to greener choices.

Solar Battery Costs and ROI in 2025

The average cost of a solar battery in the UK ranges from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on the battery size, brand, and whether it’s installed alongside a new solar PV system or retrofitted.

To help you get a better idea, here’s a table comparing solar battery costs:

*Payback periods depend on usage patterns, export tariffs, and inflation in energy prices.

To learn more about how to choose the right size solar battery for your home or business, check out our detailed guide on what size solar battery do I need?

How Solar Batteries Save You Money

Example: Daily Savings from a 5 kWh Solar Battery

Result: A 5 kWh battery saving nearly £350 per year, helping to offset the upfront investment over time.

Government Grants and Incentives for Solar Batteries (UK 2025)

As of 2025, the UK government is not offering a direct battery grant, but:

• 0% VAT on solar batteries when installed with solar PV (extended to standalone batteries in 2024)
  
• Some local councils offer Green Home Grants or ECO4 funding
  
• Businesses may be eligible for capital allowances or tax incentives

Energy Security and Grid Independence

With energy bills projected to remain high, solar batteries offer greater control over your energy supply. Paired with smart energy tariffs or time-of-use plans, batteries can charge during off-peak hours and discharge when rates are high, saving even more money.

Solar Batteries vs. Export Tariffs

Some homeowners wonder whether it’s better to export their unused solar energy back to the National Grid or store it in a solar battery for later use. This usually comes down to comparing Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments with the cost of grid electricity.

What Is the SEG?

Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), UK homeowners can earn money by selling surplus solar energy back to the grid. However, the rate you get paid is quite low, around £0.15 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), depending on your energy provider.

The Cost of Buying Electricity Back

On the other hand, if you don’t have a battery and need to buy electricity from the grid later (especially during the evening or night), you’ll pay much more, around £0.34 per kWh based on current UK prices.

Why Storing Energy Is Smarter

This means you’re buying energy at more than twice the price you’re being paid to export it. So, from a financial point of view, it makes far more sense to store your excess energy in a battery and use it when needed, rather than sell it for a low rate and buy it back at a premium.

Environmental Benefits of Solar Battery Storage

Investing in solar battery storage isn’t just a smart financial decision, it’s also a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

Reduced CO₂ Emissions

By storing and using your own solar energy, you significantly cut down your reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuels. On average, a typical UK household with a solar battery system can save between 500 to 800 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year. That’s a substantial environmental impact just from switching how you use your energy.

The Equivalent of Planting Dozens of Trees

To put this into perspective, the annual carbon savings from a solar battery system is roughly equivalent to planting 25 to 40 trees every year. Over the lifetime of the battery system, this adds up to a considerable contribution toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ready to Cut Your Energy Bills? Get a Free Solar Battery Quote from Eco Happy Today

At Eco Happy, we help UK homeowners, landlords, and commercial property owners maximise their solar investments with the right battery setup for their needs.

Don’t leave your energy savings on the table. Take the next step toward energy independence and lower bills.

Request your free solar battery quote from Eco Happy now.