Solar Battery Storage – Your Guide For 2025
A solar PV storage battery can help homeowners make the most of the energy they generate from their solar panels. A solar battery system offers flexibility. Not just for storing energy for evening use. But also in utilising the low night rates of energy on offer with smart tariffs.
Should You Invest in a Battery With Your Solar PV System?
It’s a big decision. Should you add battery storage to your solar PV system? This guide explores practical applications of solar batteries — including their benefits, flexible usage and installation options. Hopefully you will then be able to make a well-informed choice about integrating battery storage into your PV system.
Additionally, we will highlight the advantages of the premium Huawei storage battery system used by Energlaze. It is an award-winning, smart, cutting-edge solution that enhances energy efficiency with intelligent management and scalable design.
What Is a Solar PV Battery Storage System?
A solar storage battery is a large rechargeable battery that stores excess electricity generated by your solar PV panels. Think of it as a very large power bank.
When your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, the surplus is stored in the battery. Later, when your panels aren’t producing enough power, the battery supplies energy to your home.
Two Ways To Maximise Your Solar Power Usage With Battery Storage
A solar battery allows you to store excess solar electricity for later use. Without a battery, surplus energy is fed back into the grid. Your energy provider will credit you for that unused electricity. This is called the Microgeneration Support Scheme. Rates vary between electricity suppliers, so check this with your supplier. But the credit you get back will be at a lower rate than it costs you from the grid at peak. So therefore, it is more cost-efficient to use the energy that you generate to power your home. Thanks to advanced technology, a Huawei battery installed by Energlaze, is capable of 100% depth of discharge (DoD). Although this is capped at 90% at installation to protect the long term performance of the battery. Cheaper battery options offer lower consumption rates and fewer smart settings. The higher the consumption rate the quicker your payback period will be.
Our Huawei smart battery system can easily be configured to charge during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. All you need is a smart meter and a tariff with a low night-rate. Ask your energy supplier about this if unsure. Once your battery is charged during the night, you can use this to power your morning routine at a much lower rate. As your panels generate energy during the day, your battery will recharge. Ready for you to use this power later in the day when the sun isn’t shining. And then the cycle starts again with your battery recharging again via the low night rate. Doing this will maximise your energy savings but also reduce your payback period.
- Charge your battery with a low night-rate
- Use your charged battery to power your morning routine
- Recharge the battery with your panels during the day
- Use this stored power to power your evening routine
- Recharge your battery again at lower night rate
Example from Electric Ireland of low night rate unit price:
| RATE | HOURS | RATE (per kWh) |
| Day | 08:00 – 23:00 | 30.53c |
| Night | 23:00 – 08:00 | 15.05c |
| Night Boost | 02:00 – 04:00 | 8.84c |
Grants for Solar Storage Batteries
- Grants for solar storage batteries no longer exist.
The current SEAI solar grant is based on the size of your solar system. The maximum grant of €1,800 is very achievable as it corresponds to a system size of about 8 panels (depending on panel wattage). It’s important to note the Government aims to phase out solar grants completely. They will decrease by €300 a year until they are gone completely in 2029. When you also factor in the 0% vat rate, now is the best time to install in solar PV.
| SOLAR PV SEAI GRANT |
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Do Energlaze Customers Choose Solar Battery Storage?
A significant number of Energlaze customers have chosen to add battery storage to their solar systems. More often than not, a battery system suits homeowners that are not at home during daylight hours. So they can avail of free energy when they return home from work and/or school.
Some customers opt for additional batteries to increase their storage capacity. This will all depend on the size of your home and energy usage requirements. The Huawei battery preferred by Energlaze, is a premium modular battery. This means you can easily scale up from 5 to 10 or 15kWh at any time.
Solar Battery Storage And Power Outages In Ireland
Under standard configurations, solar storage batteries do not power your home during a power outage.
However, by installing a backup box alongside your battery system, you can safely isolate your home from the grid during outages. This extra component prevents feeding back into the network and allows your solar panels and battery to continue supplying power. Please note that this is not a standard option during installation and is subject to survey. If you are interested in using battery storage during power outages, contact us today for a free consultation, survey and quote.
Battery Capacity and Future Expansion
A typical 5kWh battery is unlikely to cover all the power needs of a typical home for an entire day — especially during peak usage. Although, it can provide a significant portion of your energy requirements. The smart Huawei hybrid inverter used by Energlaze is tailor made for battery storage. All the components are fully integrated and work seamlessly together. The system is modular, so it is easy to add battery storage at a later date or to scale up your system, if demands grow.
The Benefits of Huawei Solar Battery Storage
A standout option in the energy storage market is the Huawei Luna2000 Solar Battery. Designed with smart energy management in mind, the premium Huawei solar battery system offers several key benefits:
High Efficiency and Reliability: Engineered with advanced technology, the Huawei Luna2000 battery optimises energy storage and discharge cycles, ensuring you get the most out of your solar generation.
Intelligent Energy Management: Integrated with Huawei’s smart management system, the battery automatically adjusts to your household’s energy consumption patterns, maximising self-consumption and reducing reliance on the grid.
Modular and Scalable Design: It is built to easily integrate with the existing award-winning Huawei system. It also synchronises seamlessly with the Huawei monitoring iPhone or Android app. This provides flexibility to add or easily expand your storage capacity as your energy demands increase.
Enhanced Safety and Durability: With robust safety features and a design tailored for long-term use, the Huawei premium battery system offers peace of mind along with performance. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries prevent issues like thermal runaway making them very safe and reliable.
Conclusion:
Should You Get Battery Storage?
By choosing to add a solar storage battery solution, like the Huawei Luna2000, you benefit from efficient energy storage. But you also gain access to cutting-edge technology that supports sustainable energy management in your home. The payback period will depend on your system size and energy usage. But as energy prices increase, your payback period will decrease. And also, taking control of your energy costs in a volatile market will give you peace of mind.
Interested in a solar PV system with battery storage? Get in touch with Energlaze today for a free consultation, survey and quote. We are SEAI registered installers with vast experience in solar installations and home energy upgrades all over Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a specific question not featured here please get in touch by either;
- Filling in the form on our contact page
- Emailing us info@energlaze.ie
- Or calling us on 01 901 1635
Where is a solar battery usually installed in the home?
The most common place in Irish homes is beside the inverter in the attic.
Are solar storage batteries safe?
Yes. The Huawei Luna2000 battery is very safe. This is thanks to Lithium iron phosphate (LiFe battery) technology that shuts down cells to prevent issues.
The batteries are also have an IP65 rating. And the batteries can operate perfectly in temperatures ranging from –20°C to +55°C.
What temperatures range can the batteries operate at?
The Huawei Luna2000 battery can operate perfectly in temperatures ranging from –20°C to +55°C.
What is the warranty on the battery?
The Huawei Luna2000 battery has a 10 year warranty (and an extra 5 years extension can be purchased). Lifespan is approximately 15 years
The warranty on solar panels is 25 years and the inverter is 10 years.
How long do solar batteries last?
The Huawei Luna2000 has been fully tested to last for 15+ years based on a full charge/discharge cycle. During installation Energlaze will configure the system to charge the battery to 90%. This is to prolong the lifespan and performance of the battery, guaranteeing more cycles.
If my solar battery is full what happens to the extra energy?
If your solar storage battery is full then excess energy will be exported back to the grid. This will credited back to your account by your energy supplier under the Microgeneration Support Scheme.
Will my solar battery work with my electric vehicle?
Yes. All aspects of the solar PV system work in tandem with each other as a fully integrated system. And like in the example above, using cheap night rate energy to charge the solar battery to run your electric vehicle can save you lots in cost.
How big is the solar battery?
A 5kWh system is 670 mm x 600 mm x 150 mm and weighs 63.8 kg.
Can I choose to add solar battery storage at a later time?
Yes. The Huawei smart solar system is designed to be flexible. You can chose to add battery storage to the system at a later date.
And also you can easily add to existing storage capacity as the system is modular.
How much does a solar battery storage system cost?
Energlaze offer a free, no obligation survey and quote.
Click here, complete the form and one of our solar experts will be in touch to discuss your all your solar needs.