Why Are Battery Installations For Solar Systems In Such Demand?

Published 11 June 2026

Battery Installations Are Booming

The UK is currently in the middle of a record-breaking "battery boom". Official new data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) shows that battery installations for homes with solar are increasing rapidly. In 2024, the UK recorded just over 20,500 certified home battery installations. By the end of last year, that figure doubled to 41,042 installations. And in the first four months of this year alone, they have already recorded 19,000 installations, and based on what our customers are asking for, we don't see this momentum slowing anytime soon.


Why Are Battery Installations Booming? 

It’s no surprise that volatile energy markets are forcing us to look much closer at how we use and pay for electricity. Homeowners with 'Solar Only' systems already see the immense value that panels deliver throughout the day. However, once the sun goes down and the house switches back to the grid, many are realising how much more they could be saving if they have a battery. Plus, as daily routines shift and fewer people are home during peak daylight hours to use that 'free electricity', storing that power for the evening has become essential.


Do All Solar PV Systems Need A Battery?

When you begin researching solar energy for your home, one of the first major decisions you will face is whether to install a solar-only system or a solar-and-battery system.

Not everyone will need to install a battery. You will lower your carbon footprint and reduce your reliance on the national grid without one, but how you use the energy you generate from your solar panels and the savings you make will be different. At Arc Line Design, we want you to make an informed choice that matches your lifestyle and budget.

We've tried to simplify this as much as possible:

Option 1: Solar Panels Without a Battery (Solar Only).

A solar-only system is the standard setup. Your panels absorb sunlight, convert it into electricity, and feed it directly into your home’s consumer unit to power whatever is running at that exact moment.

How it works:

  • During the day: If the sun is shining and you turn on the washing machine, it runs on 100% free solar energy
  • The Surplus (the energy that's not used immediately): If your panels are producing 4kW of power, but your house is only using 1kW, the extra 3kW of surplus energy automatically escapes back out to the national grid
  • At night: When the sun goes down, your panels stop producing power. Your home seamlessly switches back to buying full-price electricity from the grid
Who is this best for?

A solar-only system is an effective option for homes where someone is there during the day. If you work from home, are retired, or can schedule heavy appliances (dishwashers, EV chargers, washing machines) to run between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, you can use a significant portion of your solar energy generation as it happens.

Option 2: Solar Panels With a Battery (Solar + Batery Storage).

A solar plus battery system adds a "brain" and an energy storage tank to your home. Instead of your surplus energy being exported to the grid during the day, it is directed into a lithium-ion battery bank to be saved for later.

How it works:

  • During the day: Your panels power any household appliances that are actively using power first (or your electric vehicle (EV) if it's on charge). Any extra power you aren't using is routed straight into your battery until it is 100% full
  • At night: When the sun goes down, and your panels turn off, your home doesn't switch to the grid. Instead, it starts drawing down the free, clean energy you stored in your battery during the day
  • Smart Grid Charging: Modern batteries can automatically communicate with "time-of-use" smart tariffs. If a winter day is forecast to be overcast, your battery will automatically fill itself from the grid at 3:00 AM when electricity is at its absolute cheapest off-peak rate, ensuring you still bypass expensive daytime peak rates
Who is this best for?

This setup is ideal for busy households where the house is empty during the day, and power-hungry appliances/EVs are not being used. If your peak energy usage happens in the morning before school/work and in the evening between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM (when the sun has set and grid prices are at their peak), a battery is essential. Without it, you miss out on using your own green energy and will be paying for electricity from the grid when it is usually at its most expensive.


Other considerations

Adding a battery from the start will naturally add to the initial cost of installing your system. However, it will give you higher long-term returns thanks to it removing/reducing the need to buy extra power from the grid during peak, high-cost energy hours.

Battery sizes vary, so the cost doesn't need to be significant - it will depend on your usage and your energy-saving goals. We can help you work this out by reviewing your current energy usage.

You can also easily add a battery later if you don't need one straight away or if your usage changes, but it's worth remembering that the Governments 0% VAT is currently only locked in until March 2027. After this, it is expected to be 5%. So, installing before March 2027 will help answer any questions you might have to get you a system that is right for you. Contact us today, and we'll help with any questions you might have.