
See how EPS works during a power cut
If resilience is the main reason you are looking at storage, this explains what stays on, how switchover works, and which systems suit backup best.
Home battery systems for savings, flexibility, and backup power
We install home battery systems across Central Scotland for solar self-use, smart tariff load shifting, and backup resilience, with practical advice on whether the numbers and the setup actually make sense for your property.
Designed For
Tariff savings + backup
System Focus
Solar-linked or standalone setups

0%
VAT Relief
EPS
Backup Option
13.5kWh
Popular Capacity
Why Batteries Matter
A battery is useful when it is matched to the right job: storing solar, shifting cheap overnight energy into expensive daytime hours, or keeping the home protected during outages.
Without a battery, a lot of daytime solar is exported for less than it costs to buy back later. Storage changes that equation.
Battery storage also makes sense for homes without solar if you are on the right tariff and want to shift usage away from expensive daytime rates.
With the right EPS setup, batteries can do more than save money. They can keep key circuits live when the grid drops out.
Popular Setups
13.5kWh in a single unit, polished app experience, and built-in backup power as standard. Strong fit where resilience matters as much as savings.
Flexible, UK-focused battery ecosystem with strong smart-tariff integration and good options for both retrofits and new combined installs.
Not every battery project starts with panels already on the roof. We also install systems designed purely for load shifting or future solar expansion.
Emergency Backup
Some battery systems save money but still shut down during an outage. If keeping the home live during power cuts matters, the EPS specification needs planned properly from the start.
Tesla Powerwall 3 includes backup functionality as standard.
Other systems can support backup too, but the hardware and protected circuits need specifying correctly.
Especially useful for rural homes where outages can last far longer than a short grid blip.
Typical motivation
Most customers start with economics: store cheap energy and reduce peak-rate buying from the grid.
Priority for some homes
Backup becomes the deciding factor in exposed or remote locations where outages are more than a minor nuisance.
Current tax position
Domestic battery installations currently qualify for 0% VAT, whether the battery is standalone or installed alongside solar, which materially improves payback.
Recent Project
A 20-panel JA Solar system paired with a Tesla Powerwall 3 delivering 13.5kWh of storage. The setup achieved 64% grid independence and cut annual electricity cost from £1,500 to £536, while adding storm-ready backup resilience.
13.5kWh
Storage capacity
64%
Grid independence
£1,500 → £536
Annual electricity cost
Storm Watch
Automatic backup reserve

Good Next Steps
Battery projects usually start from one of three questions: how to keep the house running in outages, how to store more solar, or how much a properly sized system would cost.

If resilience is the main reason you are looking at storage, this explains what stays on, how switchover works, and which systems suit backup best.

For many homes the strongest long-term setup is solar plus storage, designed together rather than added piece by piece later.

We size the battery around tariff, usage, and whether backup matters to you, so the quote reflects the actual job rather than a generic package.
How It Works
The important part is not just fitting the battery. It is setting the system up so the tariff, charge windows, and backup expectations all align with how the property works.
We assess how the property uses electricity, whether solar is already installed, and whether the goal is savings, backup power, or both.
The right battery size depends on the home, not a template.
AC-coupled retrofit, hybrid system, backup provision, and installation location are all planned properly before the quote is finalised.
Compatibility, cable routes, and DNO requirements covered up front.
We fit the equipment, complete the electrical work, set up monitoring, and configure charge and discharge schedules for the tariff.
Testing, commissioning, and handover done by our own team.
Once live, the system begins storing cheaper or surplus electricity for use when it is more valuable, with backup protection where specified.
Support remains available if the setup needs refining later.
Common Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from households comparing Tesla, GivEnergy, backup power, and battery-only systems.
Battery storage costs vary depending on the capacity and brand you choose. We install a range of systems, from standard 5.2kWh batteries to premium options like the Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh). All our installations currently qualify for 0% VAT (available until March 2027). We provide free, bespoke quotes to ensure you get the best system for your budget and energy needs.
Read the full answerYes, absolutely. We can install an 'AC-coupled' battery system that works alongside any existing solar panel inverter, regardless of who installed it originally. This allows you to store the excess energy you are currently sending back to the grid, significantly increasing your self-consumption and savings.
Read the full answerWith the right setup, yes. Standard battery installations shut down during a power cut for safety reasons (the inverter must disconnect from the grid). However, we install systems with Emergency Power Supply (EPS) functionality — standard on Tesla Powerwall 3, optional on GivEnergy — which automatically isolates your home from the grid and switches to battery power within seconds. This keeps your lights, heating controls, fridge, internet, and other essentials running throughout the outage. For rural areas across Central Scotland where power cuts can last hours or even days, this is one of the most popular reasons our customers invest in battery storage.
Read the full answerFor most households, yes. With the gap between import prices (what you pay) and export prices (what you sell for) still significant, storing your own free solar energy is the best financial move. Additionally, smart tariffs like Octopus Intelligent Go allow you to charge the battery cheaply overnight (e.g., 7p/kWh) and discharge it during the day when prices are high, saving you money even in winter without solar.
Read the full answerModern lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are extremely durable. Most come with a 10-12 year warranty and are designed to last 15-20 years. After this time, they will still work but may hold around 60-70% of their original capacity. They require virtually no maintenance.
Read the full answerYes! This is becoming very popular. You can install a standalone battery to take advantage of 'time-of-use' tariffs. You charge the battery up overnight when electricity is cheap (e.g., 7p/kWh) and use that stored power during the day when rates are high (e.g., 24p/kWh). This 'load shifting' can save hundreds of pounds a year without needing panels on your roof.
Read the full answerNo. The UK government has introduced 0% VAT on battery storage systems (both standalone and with solar) until 31st March 2027. This saves you 20% on the cost of the entire installation compared to previous years.
Read the full answerGivEnergy is our most popular choice for value and smart features - their ecosystem and app are excellent for UK homeowners. Tesla Powerwall 3 is the premium choice, offering huge capacity (13.5kWh) and best-in-class backup power but at a higher price. Solax offers great budget-friendly hybrid systems. We install all three and can recommend the best fit for your budget and goals.
Read the full answerBatteries work best in moderate temperatures. A garage or utility room is ideal. Some batteries (like Tesla Powerwall and GivEnergy All-in-One) are IP65 rated and can be installed outside, but we always recommend a sheltered spot to protect them from direct Scottish winter weather if possible.
Read the full answerYou don't need planning permission (unless in a listed building), but you DO need approval from the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) to connect to the grid. We handle this entire application process (G98 or G99 application) for you as part of our service.
Read the full answerIf you want to know whether storage actually fits your usage and tariff, the fastest route is a survey rather than a generic online calculator.
Service Coverage
Explore the main areas we cover for home battery storage, or contact us if your town is nearby and you want to check whether we survey there regularly.