One of the biggest benefits of battery storage is the ability to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it when it’s needed most. A typical commercial solar PV system produces the most power in the middle of the day, but that doesn’t always match business energy demand. Without a battery, surplus power is exported to the grid at a low rate, while energy is drawn from the grid at higher prices when the sun isn’t shining.
Solar PV and battery: How battery storage enhances solar PV #
Stores excess solar power instead of exporting it back to the grid.
Provides free solar energy at night or during cloudy periods.
Increases self-consumption, reducing reliance on the grid.
Offices & warehouses #
A business with a large rooftop solar system but fluctuating energy demand can store surplus solar energy at midday and use it later when staff arrive in the morning or when electricity prices rise in the evening.
The UK has some of the highest electricity costs in Europe, with prices that fluctuate based on demand. Businesses on time-of-use tariffs pay more during peak hours (e.g., 4–7 PM).
How Battery Storage Helps:
- Charges with cheap solar power during the day.
- Discharges during peak hours to avoid high electricity rates.
- Provides savings even when solar generation is low.
Retail stores & manufacturing plants #
A factory that runs late into the evening can use stored solar energy instead of expensive peak-time grid power, cutting its energy bills.
Power outages in the UK, though rare, can be disruptive and costly, especially for businesses that rely on continuous operations. The larger concern for businesses are that if conditions in the UK grid network don’t improve, we’ve been forecasted more consistent blackouts in the future.
How solar PV combined with battery storage helps:
- Acts as an emergency backup power source during grid failures.
- Prevents downtime and protects critical equipment.
- Keeps essential services running even when the grid goes down.
Data centres and healthcare facilities #
A data centre with solar and battery storage can avoid downtime during power cuts, protecting IT infrastructure and ensuring business continuity.
With the UK targeting Net Zero by 2050, businesses face increasing pressure to lower emissions and adopt sustainable energy solutions.
How solar PV combined with battery storage helps:
- Maximises use of renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel reliance.
- Lowers Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from purchased electricity).
- Enhances green credentials, appealing to eco-conscious customers and investors.
Corporate offices and public sector buildings #
A corporate office looking to achieve carbon neutrality can use solar and battery storage to cut its reliance on grid electricity, reducing its annual emissions significantly.
UK businesses can sell excess stored energy back to the grid when electricity prices are high. This turns a solar and battery system into a profit-generating asset.
How Businesses Can Benefit:
- Store cheap/free solar energy and sell it at a premium when demand spikes.
- Participate in Demand Side Response (DSR) programs to earn payments.
- Support grid balancing services, increasing overall energy efficiency.
Harnessing solar pv and battery energy storage #
Combining solar PV with battery storage is a smart move for UK businesses looking to reduce costs, increase energy independence, and support sustainability goals. By storing excess solar energy for later use, businesses can maximise self-consumption, avoid expensive peak-time electricity rates, and reduce reliance on the grid, all leading to significant financial savings.
Beyond cost savings, battery storage enhances energy security by ensuring operations continue during power outages. It also provides the opportunity to generate revenue through energy trading schemes. As the UK moves towards Net Zero by 2050, businesses that embrace solar and battery storage will not only cut their carbon footprint but also gain a competitive edge in a sustainability-driven market.
Investing in this technology isn’t just about lowering costs, it’s about future-proofing operations and adopting a resilient, environmentally responsible energy strategy.
