Battery storage
Solar battery storage in Greater Manchester
In short
What does a solar battery do?
A solar battery stores surplus electricity from your panels, or cheap overnight electricity from the grid, so you can use it in the evening or at peak times instead of buying power at full price. Tier 1 Solar installs home and commercial battery storage across Greater Manchester, and up to 73% savings have been achieved with batteries alone.
The simple version
What does a battery do?
Think of it as a tank for electricity. It fills up when power is plentiful or cheap, and you draw on it when you need it.
Stores spare solar
Works with cheap tariffs
Powers your evenings
Backup power (optional)
A day with a battery
How your battery works, hour by hour
- 01
Morning
Solar Home
Panels start generating. Your home uses that power first.
- 02
Midday
Solar Battery
You're making more than you need, so the surplus charges your battery.
- 03
Afternoon
Solar Grid
Once the battery's full, anything extra goes to the grid and you're paid for it.
- 04
Evening
Battery Home
The sun's gone down, so your home runs on the stored energy instead of the grid.
- 05
Winter nights
Grid Battery
Top the battery up on a cheap overnight tariff.
The difference
Solar on its own vs. solar with a battery
Solar without a battery
- Most generation happens while you're out
- Surplus exported for a low rate
- Evening power bought back at full price
- No help in winter
Solar with a battery
- Surplus stored for later
- Evenings run on your own power
- Charge cheaply overnight in winter
- Far less reliance on the grid
Getting it right
Why battery size matters
Too small and it's empty by teatime. Too big and you've paid for capacity you'll never fill.
The right size depends on how much solar you generate, how much you use in the evening, whether you drive an EV or plan a heat pump, and your tariff. We work it out from your real usage and recommend the size that gives you the best return.
Trusted technology
Battery brands we install
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Brands we install. Logos link to each manufacturer's website.
Questions
Battery storage FAQs
Do I need a battery with solar?
Not always, but a battery lets you use far more of your own electricity instead of exporting it cheaply and buying it back at full price in the evening. It can also charge from cheap overnight tariffs in winter. We'll tell you honestly whether it's worth it for you.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Usually, yes, even if we didn't install your panels. We'll check your inverter and recommend the simplest way to add storage.
Will a battery keep my lights on in a power cut?
Many batteries can provide backup power when set up for it, but not all do so automatically. If backup matters to you, tell us and we'll design for it.
Is a battery right for you?
We'll look at your usage, your tariff and your solar (if you have it) and tell you honestly whether a battery will pay for itself, and what size makes sense.