Solar panels with battery storage in Kent

Why fit a battery with new panels

Solar panels generate most around the middle of the day, when many households are out or using little power. A battery stores some of that surplus so you can use it later, rather than exporting it. Fitting both at once means a single installation, one set of paperwork, and the option of a hybrid inverter that runs the panels and battery together. Whether a battery makes sense depends on your daytime and evening use, your tariff and the size of your system, so ask each installer to explain how they sized it and what assumptions they used.

Where the battery goes in your home

Home batteries are usually wall-mounted or floor-standing units in a garage, utility room or outside on a suitable wall. Manufacturers set rules on temperature, ventilation, clearances and where the unit may be fitted, and some installers won't fit batteries in lofts, under stairs or on escape routes. Think about access for maintenance and how cables will reach the consumer unit and the inverter. If space is tight, ask about outdoor-rated units. Your installer should explain the fire safety measures they follow and show you how to isolate the system.

VAT, export payments and tariffs

Installing solar panels and batteries in a home currently has a zero rate of VAT, which HMRC says applies until 31 March 2027. Check your quote shows VAT correctly. With an MCS certificate and a smart or export meter, you can sign up for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff, where suppliers set their own rates and terms. Some suppliers also offer time-of-use import tariffs that suit a battery. Rates and conditions change, so compare current offers rather than relying on figures in a sales pitch, and read the small print on how battery exports are treated.

Jobs we can find a solar and battery installer for

Hybrid inverters for panels and battery
Battery sizing based on your usage
Garage, utility and outdoor battery positions
Monitoring apps and tariff settings
Backup power options where supported
MCS certificates and grid paperwork

Get a quote for solar panels with battery storage

Available across Kent

Dartford Gravesend Medway Maidstone Sevenoaks Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Ashford Canterbury Thanet Folkestone & Hythe Dover & Deal Swale

Other services

Solar panel installation · Adding a battery to existing solar panels · EV charger installation · Commercial, farm and outbuilding solar · Solar repairs, inverter replacement and maintenance

Read before you get quotes

Solar panel and battery costs in Kent: what drives the price Do you need a home battery? Solar storage explained for Kent homes Is your roof suitable for solar panels? Roofs, planning and the grid Choosing a solar installer and getting paid for the power you export

Solar panels with battery storage: common questions

Is a battery worth adding with solar panels?

It depends on when you use electricity, your tariff and how much surplus your panels produce. Ask installers to show how they sized the battery for your household and what difference they expect it to make.

Do I pay VAT on a home battery?

Installing a battery in a home currently has a zero rate of VAT, until 31 March 2027 according to HMRC. Check the VAT is shown correctly on your quote and invoice.

Will a battery keep my power on in a power cut?

Not automatically. Most grid-connected systems switch off during a power cut for safety. Some batteries offer a backup or emergency power feature, but it has to be designed in, so ask before you order.