Solar Battery Storage: What Happens to the Energy You Don't Use?

Primis Renewables
Jul 16
2 min read

You've installed solar panels. The sun is shining and your system is generating electricity.

But you're out.

So what happens to all that electricity when your home isn't using it?

It's a question that leads many homeowners to consider battery storage.

Solar Generation Doesn't Always Match Energy Consumption

A solar PV system generates electricity during daylight hours.

But many households consume significant amounts of electricity early in the morning and during the evening, when everyone is home, appliances are running and dinner is being cooked.

That creates a mismatch.

Your panels may be generating strongly during the day while your household demand is relatively low.

Where Does Surplus Solar Energy Go?

When your solar panels are producing more electricity than your home needs at that moment, surplus electricity may be exported to the electricity network.

Battery storage provides another option.

Rather than immediately exporting surplus generation, compatible battery systems can store electricity for you to use later.

Using Your Solar Energy After Sunset

Imagine your panels generate electricity throughout the afternoon.

Your battery charges while you're out.

You arrive home later and begin using electricity.

Instead of relying entirely on grid electricity, your home may be able to draw stored energy from the battery.

That's one of the biggest attractions of combining solar PV with battery storage: greater flexibility over when you use the electricity your system generates.

Does Everyone with Solar Need a Battery?

No.

The financial and practical case for battery storage varies considerably between households.

Your electricity usage, solar generation, tariffs, system size and lifestyle all need to be considered.

For example, somebody working from home may naturally use more of their solar generation during daylight hours than a household that's empty for much of the day.