How much does a home battery cost in the UK?
On this page
- Start with three important numbers
- Does the type of home battery affect the price?
- How much does the battery brand matter?
- The price difference between fixed and plug-in batteries
- Which additional costs should you expect?
- How much can you save with a home battery?
- What could the total annual benefit look like?
- Is a home battery worth the investment?
Before buying a home battery, it is important to look beyond price alone. The right choice depends on factors such as battery capacity, brand, installation requirements and whether you choose a plug-in or fixed system.
These points all affect the total cost, performance and suitability of the battery for your home.
Start with three important numbers
The right battery capacity depends on how much electricity you use, how much solar energy you have available to store and when you normally use that electricity.
01
Annual consumption
Look up your total electricity consumption on your yearly energy statement and divide the number of kWh by 365. This gives you your average daily electricity use.
02
Exported solar energy
This is the surplus solar electricity that a battery could potentially have stored. Divide your annual export by 365 to get an average amount per day.
03
Evening demand
How much electricity you use after sunset helps determine how much of the stored energy you can actually use once your solar panels stop generating.
Does the type of home battery affect the price?
The type of home battery has a major influence on the price. Fixed home batteries are generally more expensive because they often require additional equipment and professional installation by an electrician.
Plug-in home batteries are usually more affordable and can often be installed by the homeowner without major changes to the electrical system. Even within the same category, prices can vary considerably between different battery models.
How much does the battery brand matter?
The brand also affects the purchase price. Some manufacturers focus on affordable, straightforward systems, while others charge more for their name, design, software or additional features.
Premium brands such as the Tesla Powerwall are usually much more expensive than many competing home batteries with a similar storage capacity. It is therefore important to compare not only the brand, but also the capacity, warranty, power output and included equipment.
The price difference between a fixed installation and a plug-in home battery
Plug-in batteries usually have a much lower purchase price and can often be installed without professional installation costs. A fixed system generally costs more and normally requires an electrician.
| Capacity | Plug-in price | Plug-in installation | Fixed price | Fixed installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | £1,250 to £1,500 | £0 with self-installation | £5,000 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 10 kWh | £2,500 to £3,000 | £0 with self-installation | £8,500 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 15 kWh | £3,500 to £4,000 | £0 with self-installation | £10,000 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 20 kWh | £4,500 to £6,000 | £0 with self-installation | £12,500 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 25 kWh | £6,250 to £7,000 | £0 with self-installation | £15,000 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 30 kWh | £7,250 to £8,000 | £0 with self-installation | £17,500 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 50 kWh | £10,000 to £12,000 | £0 with self-installation | £20,000 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
| 60 kWh | £12,500 to £14,000 | £0 with self-installation | £25,000 | £1,000 to £3,000 |
VAT can reduce the price difference with a fixed installation
One advantage of a fixed home battery is that a professionally supplied and installed system can currently qualify for the 0% VAT rate. A plug-in battery that you buy separately and install yourself will normally be subject to the standard VAT rate. This means the price difference between the two options can be smaller than the initial purchase prices suggest. Although a fixed installation is usually more expensive because of the equipment and installation work involved, the 0% VAT rate can partly offset these additional costs.
Which additional costs should you expect?
The additional costs depend on the type of battery and the work required during installation. A fixed home battery may require changes to the fuse box, such as adding a separate circuit or upgrading certain components. If you choose a DC-coupled system that connects directly to your solar panels, the panels may also need to be connected to a compatible hybrid inverter.
Installation costs are also influenced by how much time and labour the work requires. A simple installation will usually cost less than a system that needs new cabling, adjustments to the fuse box or changes to the existing solar installation.
Some batteries already include an inverter, while others require a separate inverter, which increases the total price.
How much can you save with a home battery?
A home battery can reduce your energy costs in several ways. The amount you save depends on your electricity price, household consumption, solar generation and whether your energy supplier supports grid services.
Energy arbitrage
With a time-of-use tariff, you can charge the battery when electricity is cheap and use it during expensive peak hours. For example, charging 10 kWh at £0.12 per kWh costs £1.20. Using that power when electricity costs £0.32 per kWh can save around £1.70 after energy losses.
Increasing solar self-consumption
A battery stores surplus solar power so you can use it later instead of buying electricity from the grid. If you store 6 kWh and the difference between the import and export price is £0.13 per kWh, you save around £0.78.
Virtual Power Plants and grid services
A Virtual Power Plant, or VPP, allows an energy company to use your battery to support the grid. In return, you may receive payments or bill credits. A payment of £15 per month would equal £180 per year.
What could the total annual benefit look like?
A household might save around £250 per year through energy arbitrage, £200 by increasing solar self-consumption and £180 through a VPP programme.
Around £630 per year
In this example, combining the three different uses of a home battery results in an estimated annual benefit of around £630.
This is only an example. Actual savings can be higher or lower depending on electricity prices, battery efficiency, household electricity use and the services available through your energy supplier.
Is a home battery worth the investment?
For many households, a home battery can be a worthwhile investment, especially when it is used to store surplus solar energy, avoid expensive peak tariffs or participate in a grid services programme.
Whether it is the right choice for your home depends on your electricity use, solar generation and energy contract. Use our configurator to find out which battery capacity suits your household and whether investing in a home battery could be a good next step.
Find the right battery size for your home
Use your electricity consumption, solar generation and energy tariff to estimate which battery capacity could suit your household.
