Storing energy at home used to be mainly for people who owned their house, had a large roof and were ready to make a big investment. But that is starting to change. With plug-in batteries, balcony storage and smaller plug-and-play solutions, energy storage is becoming much more accessible for renters and people living in apartments.
A growing European market
The European home battery market is growing quickly. More and more people want to use their own electricity in a better way, especially if they have solar panels. Instead of feeding the power they generate back into the grid, they can store it and use it later. This is becoming more interesting because of changing energy prices and the wish to depend less on energy suppliers. Batteries are also becoming better, smarter and easier to use. As a result, it is no longer just large home batteries for homeowners that are becoming popular, but also smaller solutions such as plug-in batteries and balcony storage.
Why are home batteries becoming so popular?
Home batteries are becoming more popular because energy prices in Europe have become less predictable. With changing gas prices, global tensions, and uncertainty in the energy market, many households want more control over their electricity use.
A home battery helps by storing solar power during the day, so it can be used later in the evening. This means people can use more of their own energy and depend less on their energy supplier.
Plug-in batteries make energy storage more accessible
Plug-in batteries make energy storage much more accessible. Until recently, home batteries were mostly fixed installations and were very expensive to buy, dependent on an installer and not something you could arrange quickly. Often, you first had to book an appointment, wait for weeks and then have the battery professionally connected. On top of that, a fixed home battery is usually attached to the property. If you move, you cannot take it with you.
Plug-in batteries are different. They are often two to four times cheaper than a fixed home battery and can usually be installed by yourself within an hour. You simply plug them into a socket and can start storing electricity straight away. And if you move later? You can just take the battery with you. This makes the step towards energy storage much smaller. Plug-in batteries make home storage more affordable, easier and more flexible.
Balcony storage as a solution for apartment residents
For people that live in an apartment, solar panels and home batteries were less obvious options for a long time. You often do not have your own roof, and a fixed installation is not always possible. Balcony storage makes this much easier. With small solar panels on the balcony and a compact battery, residents can still generate and store their own electricity. This makes sustainable energy more accessible for people without a home of their own or a large roof.
Low-threshold storage for renters without a large installation
For renters, a fixed home battery is often not the most logical choice either. You do not want to invest in an expensive installation that is attached to the property, especially if you move later. Easy-access storage, such as a plug-in battery, solves that problem. You do not need a major renovation, there is no complicated installation and you can simply take the system with you to your next home. That makes energy storage interesting for people who want to stay flexible.
Plug-in batteries and balcony storage show that energy storage is no longer only for large homes with fixed installations. Because these solutions are more affordable, easier to install and portable, the barrier is much lower for many people. This means home storage is becoming a normal step in the coming years for anyone who wants to use energy in a smarter way.
