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Solar panels and home batteries
A home battery stores surplus solar power for use later, typically in the evening. It can also charge cheaply overnight from the grid on some tariffs. Batteries add cost, safety and installation requirements.
Rules are changing quickly. This page reflects what we could confirm on 21 September 2026. Check GOV.UK, your network operator and a qualified installer before you buy or connect anything. General information, not legal or electrical advice.
Batteries and plug-in solar
In Great Britain, battery-integrated devices fall outside the plug-in route and the government product specification excludes them. Storage needs a professionally installed system that is notified to the network operator under the connection rules.
What to check
- Installer: use a qualified, appropriately certified installer.
- Siting: follow manufacturer and fire-safety guidance on location and ventilation, and tell your home insurer.
- Notification: your installer should notify the network operator.
- Payback: compare cost against the tariff savings you can realistically make.
- Warranty: check capacity and cycle guarantees.
See tariffs and export payments for how tariffs affect storage.
Frequently asked questions
Can a plug-in solar kit include a battery in Great Britain?
No. Battery-integrated devices fall outside the plug-in route, and storage needs a professional installation notified to the network operator.
Do I need to tell my insurer about a home battery?
Yes, it is sensible to tell your home insurer, and to follow fire-safety and siting guidance.
Is a battery worth it?
It depends on your usage, tariff and the installation cost. Compare the realistic savings with the price and warranty.
Who should install a home battery?
A qualified, appropriately certified installer who will notify the network operator.
Related questions
- Do I need to notify my network operator about a home battery?
- Is VAT charged on home batteries?
- What should I check before installing a home battery?
- When is G98 enough for my solar system?
- What does a G98 notification involve?
- When do I need G99 instead?
Official sources
- MCS: notifying distribution network operators (G98 and G99)
- National Grid Electricity Distribution: G99 connection procedures
- GOV.UK: VAT on energy-saving materials and heating equipment (Notice 708/6)
- DESNZ: Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2.0 (PDF)
- Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels, checks to make before you buy
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Open Be Solar WiseBrowse all guidesReviewed 2026-09-21. General information, not legal, electrical or financial advice. Confirm current rules before you buy or connect anything.