Best Solar Battery Storage in the UK

Whether you already have a solar array installed on your property or are considering having one set up in the future, you should consider the value of adding a solar battery to your system.

In fact, with a solar battery, you'll be able to use more of the energy your panels generate and your break-even point and reliance on the grid could be reduced.

MCS, the renewables regulator estimates that only 30% of all solar panel power will be consumed by the home, with the rest being sold back to the grid under SEG. However, MCS also estimate that this figure rises to over 70% with a solar battery installed.

It's for these reasons that solar batteries have been on the rise in recent years; with a wide range of manufacturers vying to make their product the standout option on the market.

But of all the solar batteries out there, which ones top the lot and why? 

Here we compare key metrics between the brands to reach our verdict...

PS We offer MCS-certified battery installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.

How did we choose the best solar battery? 

In order to determine the best solar battery, we considered the following factors: 

• Max AC power output - the maximum amount of power it can provide at a given time. It is typically measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).

• Charging capacity - maximum rate at which a battery can accept a charge.

• Depth of discharge - the depth of discharge (DoD) refers to the amount of energy withdrawn from a battery compared to its rated capacity, expressed as a percentage.

• Weight of the battery. 

• The number of cycles - the total number of charge and discharge cycles a battery can undergo throughout its usable lifespan.

• Installation versatility e.g. wall mounted, floor or both. 

• Warranty period offered by the manufacturer. 

• Cost of the battery system. 

• Physical dimensions and design of the battery. 

Best Solar Batteries of 2024

A solar battery is an additional cost to your solar installation but it means you can consume more of the energy your solar panels generate as it enables you to store solar energy for use in the evenings and at night. 

However, solar batteries are not equal and not only are some more expensive than others and differ in the length of warranty they offer, but they are also different from a technical perspective, including factors like their power output and usable capacity. 

Sometimes, battery specifications can be a little confusing as you’ll see references made to both KW and KWh, the best way to understand what this means is to compare batteries to bathtubs (bear with us).

If the battery was a bathtub, then the amount of energy (capacity) it can hold would be the volume of water, this is measured in KWh (Kilowatt hours).
Now think of the charge and discharge rates as the tap (charge) and plughole (discharge). This measurement of energy flow is rated in KW (Kilowatts) 

You don’t want a big bath with a tiny tap or a tiny bath with a firehose to fill it. The batteries we’ve picked below hit the sweet spot.

So, without further ado, here is our list of the best solar batteries currently available in the UK: 

#1 Tesla Powerwall 3

Standalone Cost  (supply only inc delivery) £6,250

Installation Cost - £1500-£2500

Heatable are premier Tesla Powerwall installers – get a fixed price with installation for your area here.

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity – 13.5KWh

• Usable capacity - 13.5KWh

• Depth of discharge - 100%

• Max power output - 5.0kW + Over boost function to 7.2KW for 20 seconds

• Warranty – 10 years

• Reliability rating – 10/10

Arguably one of the best solar batteries on the UK market is Tesla’s Powerwall 3.0. Along with having an incredible storage capacity it also has a 100% depth of discharge plus inbuilt thermal management, allowing an unmatched operation range of -20’c - + 60’c.

Watch our complete review of the latest Tesla Powerwall 3 below:

Tesla brings Powerwall 3 to the market with its strong background in electric vehicle production. They are the world's largest battery and inverter manufacturer. All their products are hand-built in the USA at the Nevada facility.

One of the key selling points (if not the UPS) of the Tesla Powerwall 3.0 is that it offers full home backup via the Tesla Gateway. If the grid drops, your entire home will be powered by the Powerwall 3.

The Powerwall 3.0 features an AC lithium-ion battery system inverter, making it exceptionally straightforward to connect to a solar array setup. 

It’s also possible to monitor third-party solar inverters so real-time solar production, home consumption and battery performance can all be monitored in the Tesla Energy smart app.

Pros:

• A whopping amount of storage in one unit.

• Brilliant depth of discharge level with over-boost functions.

• Provides full home power backup.

• Built-in thermal management operates between -20c and +60c.

• Backed by a quibble-free, 10-year warranty.

• Can monitor third-party solar inverters to maximise system performance.

Cons:

• When priced at £/KWh, it’s more expensive than the Alpha G3.

• You’d need to purchase the Tesla Gateway with your Powerwall to act as a backup source of energy in case of a power outage.

We have also reviewed the best solar panels and covered how long solar panels last in the UK. 

Explore a Battery Storage Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on battery storage. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.

The image above features a Tesla Powerwall 3 installation performed by our team of Tesla-certified installers at Heatable.

#2 AlphaESS Smile G3 Plus Battery 

AlphaESS is a global leader in battery storage solutions, boasting over 90,000 installations worldwide. 

Their Alpha Smile G3 battery offers value for money, versatility, as well as a hefty 10-year performance warranty. 

But why else did we crown them as the best solar battery? Here's why...

• Standalone Cost (without installation) -  Approximately £3,250 for the Smile G3 3.8KWh and around £5,350 for the 10.01kwh unit. 

• Installation of the unit is between £500-£1,500.

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - Starter units: 3.8KWh and 10.01KWh, expandable up to 60.6KWh

• Usable capacity – 3.61KWh per 3.8KWh module & 9.59KWh per 10.1KWh module

• Depth of discharge - 95%

• Max power output (charge and discharge) - 3860w (3.68kW) & 5000w (5KW)

• Warranty:  10-year warranty

• Reliability rating -  9/10

The Alpha Smile G3 range is offered in two starter (inverter and battery modules) storage capacities: a 3.68KWh and a 10.01 KWh capacity making it perfect for both small and larger households. 

Inverter ratings – 3.68KW & 5KW

As a diamond Alpha ESS installer, Heatable offer the best prices available. Get your quote by answering a few simple questions here

The Smile G3 range is a modular system (stackable) which means that if you purchase the Smile G3 5 3.8KWh model, you can add up to 4 additional 3.8KWh modules to increase capacity.

This innovation offers maximum versatility for growing families, or simply those that may not be sure how many batteries to start with. 

The system can be installed with a new solar system or retrofitted as an AC-coupled solution.

It features an inbuilt DC inverter which allows for up to 200% of the inverter rating to be installed as solar PV power. For example, the 5KW version can have up to 10KW of solar power wired in.

It can also be installed indoors and externally thanks to the external weather rating of the components.

Control & Monitor with Alpha Cloud:

Now we will cover one of the most innovative features of the Alpha solar battery in more detail -  the Alpha Cloud: 

Each unit comes with a WiFi dongle for remote access and configuration.

The battery comes with free access to the alpha cloud which enables the user to monitor real-time PV production, home energy consumption, charge or discharge rate of the battery and battery capacity status.

It can also be programmed for off-peak, low-rate charging for multiple periods, allowing you to make maximum savings and prevent energy waste. 

It’s also now possible to force the export of Alpha ESS batteries to the grid during peak times when energy companies pay the best rates.

The battery can also be programmed to prioritise home supply, retain charge or export with optional export limit control.

It allows the end user to input their home energy tariff data to monitor income from SEG payments or earnings from consumption used which was provided by the PV system.

Realtime information on all parameters is also provided, including the following metrics: 

• Energy production.

• Energy consumption.

• State of charge.

• Battery behaviour.

• Grid import and export data. 

Automatic energy reporting is also featured, which can be automated to email the end user all key metrics.

It also works on both desktops and any smart-enabled device for maximum convenience. 

Pros: 

• Comes pre-wired for easy installation.

• The maximum power supply to the property (continuous) is 3680w (3.68kw) at 60 amps or if you opt for the more powerful unit, you can boost this to 5000w at 60 amps.

• Has a backup power connection which in the event of a power failure, the customers can switch over the battery to anything connected to that circuit (this is not a full home backup solution).

• The battery is rated for over 6000 full cycles (charge then discharge).

• The unit is wall-mounted so it frees up floor space.

• Easy to read LED indication status for comms connection, fault warnings, charge capacity and charge status.

• Works with Octopus smart tariffs.

• It can be installed with or without solar panels.

Cons: 

• While the LED display lights are functional, they are basic and the only way to view home consumption or discharge rates is via the Alpha Cloud.

• Technical support is via email only which, can be frustrating for fault diagnosis.

#3 Enphase IQ Solar Battery 5P

Enphase is an American-based battery storage manufacturer that produces monobloc (battery and inverter as one unit) AC-coupled battery systems. Enphase is also the world's largest manufacturer of microinverters.

Heatable installs all our solar systems with Enphase IQ8 microinverters, get your quote in 60 seconds.

Enphase has over 10 years of experience in producing battery storage products.

• Standalone cost (supply only) - £3100 (5KWh IQ Battery 5P)

• Installation cost - £1000 - £1500

• Additional 5kwh units - £2800

Key stats:

• Storage capacity – 5KWh each

• Rated output power – 3200va (3.2KWh), doubling every time you add an additional unit

• Inverter efficiency  - 97%

• DNO compliance – approved for G98, G99 & G100 (with Envoy)

• Backed by a 15-year product warranty

• Depth of discharge – 100%

• Reliability – 9/10

Heatable are Enphase platinum-rated installers, we buy these batteries are the absolute cheapest prices – get your fully fitted quote here.

If your energy demands increase, Enphase’s battery 5P offers expansion by allowing you to install up to 3 more slave units to increase the capacity, you’ll also double the charge and discharge rate each time you add an additional cell.

Because the Enphase IQ Battery 5P is an AC-coupled battery this means it makes a perfect retrofit solution if you have an existing PV system with no battery storage or, if you are looking to use the unit to charge on a low-rate off-peak tariff. The app is also the same version which their microinverters use.

If you’re looking to retrofit your Enphase 5P battery onto an existing PV array then you’ll be pleased to know that there is no need to replace your existing DC inverter, the battery can be connected on the AC side with CT clamps installed to monitor production. 

Pros:

• Rated for 10,000 cycles

• IP-rated so can be installed externally if space is limited

• All in one unit reduces complexity and requirements for third-party components not covered under the Enphase warranty

• Easy to expand up to 20KWh of storage

• Market-leading 15-year warranty

• Maximum charging rates of 3200w for each unit, 4 units will provide over 12,000w of power.

Cons:

• Price – price per KW for the larger capacity sizes makes this unit more expensive than the Alpha ESS or Tesla Powerwall.

• The units are pretty large, almost the size of the Telsa Powerwall 2, meaning for the same capacity as the Telsa Powerwall, you’d need three times the wall space.

• Has no backup power supply connections for the UK models.

• The wall mounting kit is free but the floor pedestal kit costs £300 more.

Why it made our 3rd place:

The Enphase IQ Battery 5P is the only battery unit which offers a 15-year warranty (that we’re aware of) and thanks to its intelligent AC design, it's perfect for all retrofit applications.

Enphase has invested lots of time and development into making their unit adaptable to smart energy tariff products, giving the end user the ability to maximise opportunities not only to purchase low-cost energy but also to discharge energy to the grid when suppliers are paying the highest prices. Enphase is now fully integrated with Octopus.

We also value being able to pick up the phone to speak to their support teams 365 days a year.

The price is the only drawback, being around 20% more expensive than its direct rivals, however, the value of the warranty should more than support this uplift.

What should you know before buying solar? Have a flat roof? Read all about flat roof solar and if you have a conservatory, it is possible to have solar on a conservatory roof too. 

#4 AlphaESS Smile B3 Battery 

Standalone Cost (supply only) - From £2,800

Installation Cost – From £1000

Key stats: 

• Storage capacity – 5.04KWh (expandable to 30KWh)

• Usable capacity – 4.78KWh

• Can be installed internally or externally

• Depth of discharge – 95%

• Max power output - 3kW (AC)

• 10-year warranty

• Smart enabled – Wi-Fi & ethernet

• Reliability rating – 10/10

Another offering from global home battery storage company AlphaESS is their Smile B3 Plus battery, which made it to position 4 in our list of the best batteries in the UK.  

Unlike the Smile G3, this battery is AC coupled only, meaning that you can only monitor third-party inverters (like the Tesla Powerwall 2) but not connect panels directly to the battery unit.

However, the battery itself still has a lot going for it, including a power-cut backup function and you can easily set it to charge off-grid, ideal for those that can make the most of off-peak energy tariffs. 

This is also probably the most compact AC-coupled all-in-one battery on the market. It’s about 50% smaller than the Enphase IQ Battery 5P.

Pros:

• Modular design provides a wide range of storage capacities

• Power cut backup available (16amp)

• Uses LPF battery chemistry

• Can be set to charge off-grid (for dual rate, off-peak tariffs)

• Allows grid export, gets paid the highest rates at peak times

• Silent operation

• Free monitoring for life using the award-winning Alpha cloud system

• 10-year warranty

Cons:

• 3KW charge and discharge rating can be limited to households with high energy demands

• Requires DTSU energy meters for systems which are installed more than 10 meters from the incoming supply.

• When increasing modules, the same KWh spec must be used. Powervault 3 Solar Battery 

• Doesn’t allow for PV to be wired into the inverter, only monitored.

#5 Powervault 3 Solar Battery 

Standalone Cost - From £4900*

Installation Cost - £1100-£2000

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity – 13.5kWh

• Usable capacity – 13.5kWh

• Depth of discharge - 100%

• Max power output – 3.68-6kW

• Off-Grid home backup – With gateway

• Warranty – 12 years

• Reliability rating – 7/10

*The GivEnergy AIO comes in 3.68KW versions as well as the more powerful 6KW version. Both are priced differently.

The AIO is rated for internal and external installations, although when installed externally GivEnergy require a canopy to be installed which, looks naff.

The unique selling point (UPS) of the GivEnergy AIO is that it’s perfect for those with higher power demands. The high-power version is rated at 6KW, 1000w watts more than the Tesla Powerwall continuous rating. If you need even more power, then you’ll need to pair two Tesla Powerwalls together.

The GivEnergy AIO is only available as an AC coupled solution, although like the Tesla, it is able to monitor third-party PV inverters to maximise the system performance.

Pros:

• 100% depth of discharge.

• Off-grid full home backup is available when using the gateway

• Works with Octopus, connect your AIO to a smart tariff.

• 6KW continuous power delivery (on the higher output model)

• Free access to the GivEnergy cloud

• Great balance of portability and storage capacity.

Cons:

• The GivEnergy software can be hit-and-miss

• The support centre staff struggle with complex support requests

• Canopy required for external installations

• No thermal management

#6 Sonnen Batterie Eco

Standalone Cost - From £4,500 

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - 2-16kWh

• Usable capacity - 90% of storage capacity (i.e., 1.9kWh to 14.4kWh)                     

• Depth of discharge - 100%

• Max power output - 3.3kW

Along with a wide range of options to choose from with varying storage capacities, the Sonnen Batterie Eco offers power cut backup and a decent warranty of 10 years or 10,000 cycles.

As for the installation, it can be fitted through floor mounting or mounted to the wall. 

Its operating temperature ranges from 5°C to 40°C meaning that is not as well suited to cold temperatures as many other top solar batteries on the market.

However, a notable advantage of the Sonnen Batterie Eco is that it uses LFP battery chemistry. This contrasts with the lithium NMC approach used by Tesla. 

Lithium LFP batteries are considered more stable, meaning, on average, a higher life expectancy (up to 10,000 life cycles to be specific).

This is possible since these batteries do not utilize heavy materials. What’s more, lithium LFP batteries are also deemed to be the safest option. 

Pros:

• Wide range of storage capacities to choose from.

• Power cut backup available.

• Uses LPF battery chemistry.

Cons:

• Can be particularly expensive.

• The operating temperature only goes as low as 5°C.

#7 LG Chem Resu-10H

Standalone Cost - £5,100

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - 9.8kWh

• Usable capacity - 9.3kWh

• Depth of discharge - 100%

• Max power output - 9.45kW

If your top priority is value for money, we recommend the LG Chem Resu-10H. This South Korean-manufactured solar battery is one of the most well-known options out there.

Aside from being fairly lightweight, the LG Chem Resu-10H has a usable capacity that is 90% of its storage capacity, which is a particularly high figure for any solar battery.

Moreover, there is also lower capacity options available if you’d like something cheaper and more suitable to your needs.

You can get a limited warranty of 10 years with LG’s Chem Resu-10H or at least 6,000 cycles.

This isn’t great as far as warranties go. But all in all, this LG solar battery provides great bang for your buck.

Installation-wise, you only avail of a standing, indoor set-up.

Pros:

• 100% depth of discharge.

• Great value for your money.

• 90% usable capacity.

Cons:

• Not the best warranty.

#8 Generac PWRcell

Standalone Cost - £14,600

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - 9-36kWh

• Usable capacity - 8-33kWh

• Depth of discharge - 95%

• Max power output - 7.5-34kW

The Generac PWRcell is another solar battery with a wide range of options.

However, unlike some of the solar batteries discussed today, the PWRcell is a modular unit, meaning you can adjust its capacity and power output as needed. 

That is to say, rather than there being many versions of the Generac PWRcell available, it acts as an all-in-one solution to varying storage and power requirements, depending on what you need at any given time. 

All in all, with a maximum power output of 34kW and a storage capacity reaching up to an incredible 36kWh (with over 91% usable capacity), if you want maximum power and storage, you’ll want to consider the Generac PWRcell.

As for its installation, the PWRcell may only be installed in a standing position indoors. It comes with a limited warranty of 10 years or unlimited cycles.

Pros:

• Incredibly powerful.

• Very high maximum storage capacity.

• Flexible modular unit.

• High depth of discharge.

Cons:

• One of the most expensive solar batteries on the market.

#9 SolaX 3.3

Standalone Cost - From £4,000

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - 3.5kWh

• Usable capacity – N/A

• Depth of discharge – 95%

• Max power output – 3.5kW

If you’d like something that’s relatively cheaper, consider the SolaX 3.3 which is available for just over £4,000.

This solar battery is best suited to homes with fairly low energy needs or if you’re just looking for something to store solar energy harnessed over a day or two. 

Perhaps you might want to use this to sell energy back to the grid if you sign up with an energy provider who is willing to purchase solar energy that uses battery storage.

In terms of its warranty, this covers ten years or 3,000 cycles. All in all, the SolaX 3.3 would be unlikely to last as long as most of the solar batteries on this list.

However, it could still be worth your while if you want something relatively affordable right now.

Pros:

• Relatively more affordable.

Cons:

• Comes with a relatively low storage capacity.

• Not the best warranty.

#10 BYD Battery-Box Premium HV

Standalone Cost - £8,145

Key Stats:

• Storage capacity - Up to 22.1kWh

• Usable capacity - Up to 21.1kWh

• Depth of discharge - 95%

• Max power output - 20kW

The BYD Battery-Box Premium HV is another modular unit, meaning that the capacity and output figures listed above are the maximum offered.

However, you can decrease its capacity and output if you’d like.

What’s more, this solar battery comes with a gorgeous, futuristic look that could give Tesla Powerwalls a run for their money in the aesthetics department.

Two notable downsides of the BYD Battery-Box Premium HV are that a) it can only be installed indoors in a standing position and b) its limited warranty covers ten years or at least 3,000 cycles.

Related solar guides: 

• Are solar batteries worth it? 

• Best Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates. 

• Solar panel inverters. 

• Second-hand solar panels. 

• Solar water heating. 

Pros:

• Great maximum storage capacity.

• Modular unit with great max power output.

• Visually appealing.

Cons:

• The warranty isn’t great.

What is a Solar Battery?

Solar batteries are those used as a means of storing energy generated from a solar panel array.

The purpose of these batteries is to hold onto this solar energy so that it can be used at a later point.

Solar batteries tend to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years.

In general, the warranty of a solar battery will give you a sense of approximately how long it is likely to last.

And in most cases, top-end solar batteries come with a ten-year warranty or alternatively, the warranty may be measured in cycles.

One issue with the longevity of solar batteries is that solar panels tend to last longer.

This would mean you’d probably have to replace a solar battery before the solar array gave out.

With that being said, there are many advantages to solar batteries which are leading to their increased popularity.

Here are some of the key benefits of solar batteries:

• You can use the energy stored in solar batteries to either run your home or at least supplement electricity taken from the national grid at night time or on particularly cloudy days.

• Stored energy might be useful during a power outage, again, especially if it happens after dark.

• You might want to use a solar battery as a way of storing energy before selling it back to the grid. However, if you wanted to do this, you’d need to be sure that the energy provider you have in mind is willing to purchase solar energy that is battery-stored. Some will and some won’t.

Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works. 

Join Thousands of Satisfied Customers:

We’re proud to be Tesla Certified Installers, MCS accredited and Which? Trusted installers with over 10,000 glowing reviews on Trustpilot. Discover why so many trust us for their solar panel & battery storage installations—visit our Reviews and Testimonials page and watch Phil’s video testimonial below.

Next Steps For Your Battery Journey:

When planning to install battery storage for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:

• What size battery do you need? 

• What is home battery storage? 

• Battery storage without solar panels 

• Pros and cons of battery storage

To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their battery installation. 

Get a Quote for Battery Storage Today 

Without boasting you should get your battery storage installed with us, here's why: 

• Thousands of Happy Customers: We boast an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, outperforming the market leader.

• Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

• Tesla Certified Installer: Heatable is proudly certified and approved by Tesla to install the Powerwall.

• MCS Accredited: Our accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) ensures high-quality standards.

• Consumer Protection: As members of the HIES consumer code, we provide 2-year deposit protection.

• Flexible Payment Options: Choose from multiple payment methods, including finance options.

• Fixed Price Guarantee: Enjoy transparency with no hidden costs.

• Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.

• Bespoke Battery Quote Tool: Find out which battery is ideal for your home, here.