What is solar PV and how does it generate electricity?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight directly into DC electricity using semiconductor cells. An inverter converts this to AC power for use in your home. On a clear summer day a typical UK domestic system can generate 4–6 kWh per kWp of installed capacity. Output varies by orientation, shading and season, but even overcast UK skies produce meaningful generation year-round.

How does solar PV work alongside a battery storage system?

The combination is the most powerful setup available. Surplus solar energy that would otherwise be exported to the grid at a low rate is instead stored in your battery and used later — during the evening or the following morning — displacing expensive peak-rate grid electricity. In the ideal scenario your home runs entirely on self-generated and self-stored power for extended periods of the day.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and how do I benefit?

The SEG is a government-backed scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers to pay you for excess solar generation exported to the grid. Rates vary by supplier — typically 4–15p per kWh. Pairing solar with a battery reduces what you export but maximises the value of every unit you generate, since self-consumption is always worth more than export credit.

I already have solar panels — can I add battery storage?

Yes. Our battery systems are designed to retrofit seamlessly alongside existing solar PV installations without affecting their performance or warranty. We assess your existing inverter, metering and consumer unit during a pre-installation survey to confirm the optimal integration approach.

What is a home battery storage system?

A home battery storage system (BSS) stores electricity — either generated by your solar panels or imported from the grid during cheap off-peak hours — and releases it during expensive peak periods. This intelligent shifting of consumption dramatically reduces your dependence on high-cost grid electricity and lowers your energy bills.

How do home batteries save me money?

Through peak shaving: the system stores energy when electricity rates are lowest — typically overnight on a time-of-use tariff — and powers your home from that stored energy during expensive daytime and evening peaks. The wider the spread between your peak and off-peak rates, the greater your daily saving. Most customers see payback within 4–8 years depending on tariff and usage.

What are the warranty details and expected lifespan of home batteries?

Our preferred batteries carry a 10-year manufacturer warranty and are rated for a 15-year service life, subject to maintaining a minimum performance of 8,000 cycles at 80% Depth of Discharge (DoD). In practice this equates to more than one full charge-discharge cycle every day for the life of the system.

What is a Smart Energy Management System?

The Smart EMS is the intelligence layer that co-ordinates all energy assets in your microgrid — solar, battery, grid connection, EV charger and heat pump — in real time. It monitors live generation and consumption, tracks solar forecasts, watches tariff windows, and automatically dispatches the lowest-cost energy source to meet demand at every moment of the day.

Can the EMS integrate with my EV charger and heat pump?

Yes. The EMS is designed to co-ordinate high-consumption appliances — particularly EV charging and air source heat pumps — with your tariff windows and battery state. By scheduling EV charging during cheap overnight periods and pre-conditioning your home before peak hours begin, the EMS can significantly reduce the operating cost of these high-draw appliances.

How long does installation take and how disruptive is it?

Most home battery installations are completed within a single working day. Our experienced team manages the full process — electrical assessment, mounting, cabling, commissioning and EMS setup — with minimal disruption. Most households experience only a short planned outage to the affected circuits during the connection stage.

What system size is right for my home or business?

Sizing depends on your average daily consumption (kWh), available installation space and budget. Our starter systems begin at 5.1 kWh for smaller homes; our most popular domestic system is 10 kWh; and we design scalable systems from 16 kWh up to 1 MW+ for commercial sites. Share your energy bills or smart meter data and our team will recommend the most cost-effective configuration.

Do I need solar panels to benefit from battery storage?

No. A battery charged entirely from the grid on a smart time-of-use tariff delivers strong savings on its own — storing cheap overnight electricity and displacing expensive daytime grid imports. Adding solar unlocks the highest levels of energy independence, but the battery delivers clear financial value either way.

Do domestic and charity customers qualify for 0% VAT on solar and battery?

Yes. Under current HMRC rules, domestic battery storage and solar PV installations qualify for zero-rate VAT on both materials and labour. Charitable organisations also qualify. This removes a significant cost that would otherwise apply at the standard 20% rate and meaningfully improves payback period.

Is there a fire risk associated with home battery storage?

The fire risk from professionally installed home battery systems is extremely low. The chemistries associated with well-publicised fires — e-bikes, e-scooters, budget consumer electronics — are not the same technologies used in quality residential BESS installations. Our systems use rigorously tested cells with integrated Battery Management Systems (BMS) that actively monitor cell temperature, voltage and current to prevent thermal events.

What are smart time-of-use tariffs and which should I choose?

Smart time-of-use tariffs charge different rates depending on time of day — typically a very cheap overnight rate (usually midnight to 06:00) and a higher daytime rate. Providers like Octopus Energy and E.ON Next currently offer some of the most competitive overnight rates in the UK. The right tariff depends on your location, meter type and consumption profile; our team advises on compatible options at the time of installation.

When will I start seeing savings on my energy bills?

Immediately. Following installation and the first successful overnight charge, your system begins displacing expensive daytime grid electricity from the first morning. You will see the impact reflected in your next energy bill, and the live dashboard lets you track daily and month-to-date savings from day one.

Can I take the battery system with me if I move house?

Yes. The system is fully modular and can be professionally decommissioned and reinstalled at a new property, with standard removal and refitting costs applying. Alternatively, a battery installation typically adds demonstrable value to a property sale and many owners choose to include it as part of the home.

FreedomEnergy.uk — Solar Panels, Battery Storage, EV Charging & Air-Source Heating Integration

Solar panels, battery storage, EV charging and air-source heating integration with intelligent energy management across the UK.

Call us on +44 1507 450901 or email info@freedomenergy.uk