Solar panel battery storage is a system that allows you to store the electricity generated by your solar panels for use at a later time.
Rather than letting unused solar power go to waste or selling it back to the grid at a reduced rate, you can hold onto it and use it when you need it most, whether that’s during peak pricing hours, overnight, or during a power outage.
With electricity prices continuing to rise across the UK, more and more businesses are looking for ways to take control of their energy use. Solar panel battery storage offers a smart, sustainable solution that not only reduces your reliance on the grid but also helps lower your operating costs.
At Bolton Electrical Services, we provide solar panel and battery system installations for homes and businesses across Bolton and the North West.
Our goal is to help you reduce overheads, cut carbon emissions and futureproof your energy supply with trusted, efficient technology.
What Is Solar Panel Battery Storage?
How Solar Battery Systems Work
Solar panels work by generating direct current (DC) electricity when sunlight hits their surface. That electricity is then passed through an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC) that can be used to power your building.
When your solar panels generate more energy than you need at that moment, a battery system stores the surplus.
Later in the day, such as in the evening, or when the weather limits solar generation — your battery discharges the stored electricity so that you can keep running without having to rely on the National Grid. This gives your business far more control over when and how you use your energy.
This kind of energy storage system helps you reduce waste, save on bills, and maintain a steady, reliable power supply all year round.
Grid-Tied vs Off-Grid Storage Systems
Most commercial installations in the UK are grid-tied, meaning the battery system is connected to both your solar panels and the National Grid.
You can store solar energy when it’s available, and draw on grid power when it’s not. Some systems even allow you to store cheap off-peak electricity from the grid and use it during expensive peak times.
Off-grid systems are completely independent and are ideal for businesses looking for full energy self-sufficiency. These systems typically require larger storage capacity to support continuous usage.
There’s also a hybrid approach, which offers the best of both. This allows you to make the most of your solar generation while still having grid access as a fallback, giving your business flexibility and security in a volatile energy market.
Benefits of Solar Panel Battery Storage for Businesses
Reduce Electricity Bills
One of the biggest advantages of a commercial solar panel battery storage system is the potential for long-term savings. By storing electricity during off-peak times, whether from your own solar panels or the National Grid, you can use it when energy prices are at their highest.
This helps smooth out the peaks and troughs in energy costs, giving your business more predictable and manageable bills.
During daylight hours, your solar panels generate electricity to run your operations. If there’s excess power, it’s stored in the battery and can be used later when solar generation dips. Over time, this can significantly reduce your reliance on expensive daytime grid power and cut your overall energy spend.
Improve Energy Independence
With a reliable solar battery system in place, your business becomes far less dependent on the National Grid. This gives you added protection against price volatility, blackouts or supply issues. Many of our clients find peace of mind in knowing they have their own power source, ready to go when they need it.
Our installations also offer built-in backup capabilities. If your main power supply fails, the system can step in to keep essential operations running, helping you avoid costly downtime and disruption.
Meet Sustainability Goals
As the UK pushes toward net-zero targets, more businesses are under pressure to demonstrate genuine progress in sustainability. By switching to clean energy and storing what you generate, you can cut your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.
Our solar battery systems support your environmental commitments without compromising on performance. Whether you’re aiming to meet ESG standards or attract environmentally conscious clients, investing in renewable energy makes a powerful statement.
How Solar Panel Batteries Are Used in the UK
Storing Solar Power During the Day
In the UK, solar energy production peaks during the day when the sun is strongest. This often doesn’t match up with when your business actually uses the most power. With a solar battery system, we store that daytime energy and make it available in the evenings or on cloudy days, so you get the most out of every unit generated.
This is especially useful in winter, when daylight hours are shorter and energy demand is higher. Your batteries can bridge the gap, giving you greater control over when and how you use electricity.
Storing Off-Peak Electricity
It’s not just solar energy that can be stored. Many of our systems also allow businesses to buy electricity from the National Grid during cheaper off-peak hours and store it for use later in the day.
This lets you avoid peak-time tariffs without changing your working patterns. Instead of running your business around energy pricing, you let your battery system do the thinking for you.
Creating Localised Energy Networks
As energy technology continues to evolve, we’re starting to see the rise of localised power networks in commercial settings. Known as microgrids, these allow businesses to generate, store and share energy within a defined network.
In the future, battery storage systems will play a key role in these networks, enabling peer-to-peer energy trading. This means businesses with surplus energy could sell it directly to others nearby, creating new revenue streams while supporting a more sustainable energy model.
Solar Battery Technology Explained
Types of Batteries Used in the UK
When it comes to solar battery storage in the UK, lithium-ion batteries remain the most popular and reliable choice. These batteries are known for their high efficiency, long lifespan, and excellent energy density, which makes them ideal for commercial use.
At Bolton Electrical Services, we install advanced lithium battery systems that are compact, safe, and built to deliver consistent performance over time.
We keep a close eye on emerging battery technologies, too. Innovations like solid-state batteries and flow batteries are beginning to appear in the industry and may offer even greater energy storage potential in the future.
While they aren’t yet widely adopted in commercial systems, they represent an exciting step forward for renewable energy storage.
Whether you’re looking to store solar power or off-peak grid electricity, we’ll recommend the most suitable battery type based on your business’s specific energy needs and usage patterns.
Scalability and Flexibility
We understand that every commercial site is different. That’s why we only install modular solar battery systems that grow with your business. You can easily scale your storage capacity up or down depending on how your energy usage changes over time.
Our systems are also built with flexibility in mind. The batteries can be installed indoors or outdoors, and their compact design means they can fit into even the most space-limited premises. Whether you’re working with a small utility room or a larger plant area, we’ll design a system that makes the most of your space while still delivering the output your business demands.
Commercial Solar Panel Battery Installation with Bolton Electrical
End-to-End Service for Businesses
At Bolton Electrical Services, we take care of everything from start to finish. We begin with a free consultation and site survey, where we get to know your energy goals and assess your premises for optimal battery and panel placement.
From there, our in-house experts design a bespoke system tailored to your needs, whether you’re adding battery storage to an existing solar setup or installing a new full system from scratch.
Once the design is approved, we handle the entire installation process with minimal disruption to your business. Our engineers are polite, professional, and work efficiently to get the job done right. We also manage all necessary permissions and regulatory compliance, so you can focus on running your business.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Our service doesn’t stop once your battery storage system is up and running. We offer full aftercare and maintenance packages to help your investment perform at its best over the long term. This includes performance monitoring, fault diagnostics, and system checks to keep everything operating smoothly.
Battery performance can degrade over time without proper maintenance, so we’re here to make sure your system stays reliable and efficient. Whether you need a one-off check or an ongoing support plan, we’ll tailor our services to suit your setup and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is solar panel battery storage?
Solar panel battery storage allows you to store the electricity your solar panels generate during the day so you can use it later when the sun isn’t shining.
Instead of exporting unused energy back to the grid, the system stores it in high-capacity batteries. This gives your business more control over how and when you use your energy, helping you cut costs and reduce reliance on the grid.
Can I use solar batteries without solar panels?
Yes, absolutely. While most of our clients choose to pair batteries with solar panels, you can use battery storage on its own to take advantage of lower-cost electricity during off-peak hours.
You simply charge the battery with cheaper night-time electricity and use it during the day when rates are higher. This setup is especially useful for businesses looking to reduce bills without installing a full solar system right away.
How long do solar panel batteries last?
On average, commercial-grade solar batteries last between 10 to 15 years. The exact lifespan depends on how often the battery is charged and discharged, the temperature of the installation environment, and the type of battery used.
At Bolton Electrical Services, we only install durable, high-quality batteries designed for long-term performance in real commercial conditions.
Is battery storage worth it for small businesses?
Yes, we believe battery storage offers fantastic long-term value, even for smaller businesses. Not only can it help reduce your electricity bills by maximising the use of your solar power or storing off-peak energy, but it also gives you more energy security.
Over time, those savings add up, especially as energy prices continue to fluctuate. Many of our smaller clients have already seen a strong return on their investment within just a few years.
Are there UK grants for solar battery systems?
While there are currently no dedicated UK grants for battery storage alone, solar panel systems with integrated battery storage can still benefit from wider schemes like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which lets you earn money by exporting unused energy back to the grid.
There’s also 0% VAT on battery systems when installed alongside solar panels. We always stay up to date with the latest incentives, and we’ll talk you through what support is available during your consultation.
