Battery Energy Storage Systems in Teesdale
Make the most of your renewable energy with battery storage. Whether you’re looking to store excess solar power or increase your energy independence, our experienced team can design a system that works for your home or business. Based in rural Teesdale, we provide honest advice and professional installation across County Durham and North Yorkshire.
Honest, Monitor-First Approach
We won’t push batteries on you if they don’t make financial sense. Our recommendation? Install solar first, monitor your actual generation and usage for 6-12 months, then make an informed decision about battery storage based on real data, not assumptions.
Designed for Your Actual Needs
Every system we design is based on your specific energy patterns, property layout, and future plans. We provide detailed financial projections showing your expected savings and payback period, so you can make a confident decision.
Complete Support from Start to Finish
From initial assessment through to installation and beyond, we’re with you every step. Our team includes electricians we’ve trained ourselves, and we provide ongoing support throughout your system’s lifetime. When you call, you’re speaking to people who know your system and genuinely care about it working perfectly.
How Battery Energy Storage Works
Battery storage systems allow you to save the energy you generate during the day for use when you need it most. Rather than exporting excess solar power back to the grid at a lower rate, you can store it in batteries and use it during evenings, cloudy days, or whenever your solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity.
Our systems use high-quality components with inverters that manage the flow of energy between your solar panels, batteries, and home. When your solar panels are generating more power than you’re using, the surplus charges your batteries. Once they’re full, any additional energy can still be exported to the grid. When the sun goes down or on overcast days, your batteries automatically supply power to your home, reducing your reliance on expensive grid electricity.
We primarily install Solar Edge battery systems, which allow you to monitor each component through an easy-to-use app. You can see exactly how much energy you’re generating, storing, and using in real-time, giving you complete control over your energy consumption.
Do You Need Solar Panels for Battery Storage?
Whilst battery storage works brilliantly alongside solar PV systems, you don’t technically need solar panels to have batteries installed. Some homeowners choose to charge batteries from the grid during off-peak hours on special tariffs, then use that stored energy during peak times when electricity costs more.
However, we’re honest with our customers – this approach offers a much longer payback period and limited savings compared to pairing batteries with solar panels. The real value comes from storing your own free solar energy rather than paying to store grid electricity.
For most properties in Teesdale and the surrounding area, we recommend installing solar panels first, monitoring your generation and usage for six months to a year, and then deciding whether battery storage makes financial sense. This approach ensures you’re making an informed investment based on your actual energy patterns rather than assumptions.
Benefits of Adding Battery Storage to Your Property
Battery Storage Capacity – How Much Do You Need?
Domestic battery systems typically come in 2.5kWh increments, ranging from 2.5kWh up to around 10kWh for most homes. To put this in perspective, the average household uses approximately 12kWh per day, though this varies considerably based on your lifestyle, property size, and electrical appliances.
A 10kWh battery might sound like it would cover a full day’s usage, but it’s important to remember that an electric kettle uses about 3kWh on its own. Your fridge runs constantly, and if you’re charging an electric vehicle, that will significantly increase your daily consumption.
We design systems based on your actual usage patterns and solar generation capacity. There’s no point installing more battery storage than your solar panels can realistically charge, and equally, oversizing your system adds unnecessary cost without improving your return on investment.
All our systems are designed to allow future expansion. If your energy needs change – perhaps you buy an electric car or add a home office – you can add more battery capacity later without replacing your entire system.
Our Installation Process
Costs, Warranties, and Return on Investment
Adding battery storage to an existing solar PV system will extend your overall payback period by a few years compared to solar panels alone. The exact timeframe depends on your energy usage patterns, electricity tariff, and how much of your stored energy you actually use versus export.
Typical battery warranties are around 12 years from manufacturers, though the systems are built to last considerably longer with proper use. Our installations use quality components designed for longevity, and we provide ongoing support throughout the life of your system.
When we design your battery storage solution, we provide a detailed breakdown showing your projected savings and payback period based on current electricity prices. We’ll also show you a cash flow analysis so you can see the financial benefit month by month. Our approach is transparent – we want you to make an informed decision that genuinely benefits your household or business.
It’s worth noting that electricity prices have risen significantly in recent years, and most experts expect this trend to continue. As grid electricity becomes more expensive, the value of storing your own free solar energy increases, potentially shortening your payback period beyond our initial projections.
Testimonials
In my 90th year and almost housebound I find that I have to rely more heavily on family, friends and a wide variety of firms and organisations. I have used Teesdale Renewables for many years for plumbing, heating and lighting issues. The office staff and workforce have been unfailingly efficient, helpfuland friendly over that time.Very recently I had a new central heating boiler installed and replacement lights fitted in the porch and under kitchen cupboards. The boiler change was completed within the day causing minimum disruption to the normal function of the house in respect of water and gas supplies and is proving to be very efficient and effective. The lights were installed in a few hours and are superb.I would never think of going anywhere else for the services provided by Teesdale Renewables so effectively and at reasonable cost.
Thank you for the excellent service from staff member of the electrician team- he was very capable, experienced and well mannered. I will definitely be using your services again.
Thanks for the invoice for the installation of our wood burning stove. We are delighted with the stove and with the work undertaken.
Off-Grid Living and Energy Resilience
Some of our clients in remote rural locations use battery storage as part of an off-grid setup, particularly where mains electricity connection is impractical or unreliable. Whilst most homeowners remain connected to the grid as a backup, a properly sized solar and battery system can provide substantial independence.
For those who do remain grid-connected (which we generally recommend), your battery system dramatically reduces your reliance on imported electricity. During the longer summer days, many of our customers find they can run their entire home on stored solar energy from late morning through to the following morning, only importing small amounts of grid electricity on particularly cloudy days.
This energy resilience is particularly valuable in areas like Teesdale, where we’re exposed to harsh weather and occasional power cuts. With the optional backup power capability, you can keep essential circuits running even when the grid goes down, maintaining heating, lighting, and refrigeration.
Common Questions About Solar PV
How long do battery storage systems last?
Most battery systems come with warranties of around 12 years, though with proper use they often last considerably longer. The batteries themselves have a rated number of charge/discharge cycles, which for quality systems typically translates to well over a decade of daily use. The inverters and controllers that manage the system are built for long-term reliability as well. We install systems designed for longevity and provide ongoing support throughout the life of your batteries.
Can I add batteries to my existing solar panels?
Yes, in most cases you can retrofit battery storage to an existing solar PV system. The specifics depend on your current setup – what type of inverter you have and how your system is configured. We’ll assess your existing installation and recommend the best approach. Sometimes this means adding a battery-compatible inverter alongside your existing one, whilst other systems can integrate batteries more directly. Our honest advice ensures you get a solution that works properly without unnecessary expense.
Will my batteries work during a power cut?
Standard battery systems won’t provide power during an outage because they’re designed to shut down when the grid goes off (a safety requirement). However, we can install systems with special backup inverters and controllers that do provide power during cuts. This setup costs more but can be invaluable for rural properties that experience occasional outages. The backup system can keep essential circuits running – heating, lighting, and refrigeration – whilst the grid is down.
How much money can I save with battery storage?
The savings depend on several factors: how much solar energy you generate, your household consumption patterns, your electricity tariff, and how much of your stored energy you actually use. When we design your system, we provide a detailed financial breakdown showing projected savings based on your specific circumstances. Most customers see their overall solar and battery system pay for itself in around 12-15 years, after which all the energy savings are pure profit. As electricity prices continue rising, these savings typically improve over time.
Can I charge my electric car from my batteries?
Yes, you can use stored solar energy to charge your electric vehicle. However, it’s important to understand that EV charging uses significant power – a full charge might take most or all of your battery capacity. We design systems taking your EV charging needs into account if that’s part of your requirements. Many customers find the best approach is to charge their car directly from solar during the day when panels are generating, and use their battery storage for household consumption in the evenings.
What size battery do I need for my home?
This depends on your daily electricity usage and your solar generation capacity. The average home uses around 12kWh per day, but this varies enormously. A household with an electric vehicle, heat pump, or home office will use considerably more. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. After reviewing your energy data and usage patterns, we’ll recommend a battery size that makes financial sense for your situation. Our systems are designed for future expansion, so you can start with a smaller capacity and add more later if your needs change.
Request My Consultation Today
Our straightforward installation process is designed to make your transition to solar energy as smooth as possible:
