The battery charges from the grid during an appropriate lower-rate tariff period.
Standalone home battery storage
Can you install battery storage without solar panels?
Yes. A home battery does not necessarily need solar panels. Battery storage can charge from the electricity grid during lower-cost periods and supply stored electricity later when import prices are higher or household demand increases.
How it works
Charge when electricity costs less. Use it when it is worth more.
Time-of-use electricity tariffs can offer substantially different import prices depending on the time of day. A suitably configured battery can use those cheaper periods to charge, then provide electricity to the home during more expensive periods.
Electricity is retained in the battery ready for periods when household demand or grid prices are higher.
The home draws from stored energy where the system configuration and available battery capacity allow.
Is it worthwhile?
Battery economics depend on more than battery size.
The financial case for grid-charged storage depends on the difference between your charging and peak electricity rates, how much electricity you use, battery efficiency, usable capacity and how consistently the stored energy can replace higher-cost imports.
That is why we look at your consumption and tariff rather than simply recommending the largest battery available.
Future solar
You can add solar panels later.
Installing battery storage first does not necessarily prevent solar PV being added in future. Where future solar is likely, we can consider that during system design so the wider energy system has a sensible upgrade path.
Explore solar + batterySystem design
What we consider before recommending a battery.
How much electricity the property uses and, importantly, when that demand occurs.
Available off-peak charging windows and the difference between lower and higher import rates.
A usable capacity appropriate to the energy you realistically expect to shift between tariff periods.
Questions answered
Battery storage without solar FAQs.
Can a home battery work without solar panels?
Yes. Compatible battery systems can charge using electricity imported from the grid rather than relying on solar generation.
Can I charge a battery using cheap overnight electricity?
Many battery systems can be configured around time-of-use tariffs so charging takes place during selected lower-rate periods. Available tariffs, rates and charging windows vary by supplier.
How large should a grid-charged battery be?
The appropriate usable capacity depends on your electricity consumption, the demand you want the battery to cover, available charging time and the economics of your tariff.
Can solar panels be added later?
Potentially, yes. If future solar PV is part of your plans, tell us before the battery system is designed so compatibility and the wider system architecture can be considered.
Explore battery storage
Battery storage for different energy needs.
Explore how battery storage can work with solar PV, existing systems, off-peak electricity tariffs and larger commercial energy requirements.
Overview
Home battery storage
Understand battery capacity, solar integration, tariffs and how storage fits into your wider energy system.
Grid charging Battery storage without solarCharge a home battery when electricity is cheaper and use the stored energy later.
Existing solar Add a battery to solar PVExplore battery storage for an existing solar installation and the checks needed before equipment is selected.
Technology Sigenergy SigenStorExplore the modular SigenStor energy storage platform installed by NS Booth.
Business Commercial battery storageStorage designed around business demand, solar generation, operating hours and electrical infrastructure.
Combined system Solar panels with battery storageDesign solar generation and battery storage together as one coordinated home energy system.
Standalone battery storage