Battery storage makes solar more useful by saving surplus daytime generation for use later, rather than exporting it immediately.

The main benefits are:

• Higher solar self-consumption – excess solar generated during the day can be stored and used in the evening or overnight.

• Lower electricity bills – less electricity needs to be purchased from the grid at expensive times.

• Time-of-use tariff savings – a battery can potentially charge from the grid during cheap overnight periods and supply the home when electricity prices are higher.

• Better use of surplus generation – where the import price is much higher than the export payment, storing solar for later use can be more valuable than exporting it.

• Smart energy management – compatible systems can automatically decide when to charge, discharge, import or export according to solar production, household demand and tariff prices.

• Potential export earnings – some tariffs make it worthwhile to store cheap energy and export electricity when export rates are higher, subject to the tariff and system configuration.

• Reduced exposure to future electricity prices – increasing the proportion of energy supplied from your own solar and stored energy reduces reliance on grid electricity.

• Backup capability – some battery systems can provide power during a power cut, although this requires a system specifically designed and installed for backup operation.

• EV integration – stored solar can contribute towards charging an electric vehicle rather than exporting surplus generation and subsequently buying electricity back from the grid.

• Greater energy independence – solar and battery storage together allow a much larger proportion of a property's electricity requirements to be met from locally generated energy.​​​