Are Solar PV Systems Worth It Without Battery Storage

If you’re considering solar panels for your home, you’ve probably asked yourself whether you really need battery storage. It’s a fair question—batteries can add £3,000–£8,000 to your installation cost, and many UK households are wondering if solar PV alone can deliver meaningful savings.

The short answer? For most homeowners, solar panels without battery storage are absolutely worth it. You’ll still slash your electricity bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and earn money from surplus energy through the Smart Export Guarantee. The key is understanding your household’s energy patterns and what you realistically need from your system.

Let’s explore the financial realities, practical considerations, and scenarios where going battery-free makes perfect sense.

Understanding Solar PV Without Battery Storage: How It Works

Solar PV panels convert sunlight into electricity that powers your home during daylight hours. Without battery storage, your system operates on a simple principle: use what you generate when the sun’s shining, and any surplus automatically flows back to the National Grid.

When your panels aren’t producing enough electricity—on cloudy days or after sunset—you simply draw power from the grid as normal. This seamless switching happens automatically through your inverter and smart meter, requiring no intervention from you.

The beauty of this setup lies in its simplicity. You’re effectively using the grid as a virtual battery: exporting excess energy during sunny periods and importing when needed. Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), energy suppliers pay you for every kilowatt-hour you export, typically between 4p–15p per kWh depending on your chosen tariff.

Your solar PV installation connects directly to your consumer unit, and any electricity your appliances use during generation hours is free—reducing the amount you purchase from your supplier. This self-consumption is where the real savings happen, as you’re avoiding retail electricity prices that currently average 24p–28p per kWh.

The Financial Case: Costs, Savings and Payback Times

Let’s talk numbers. A typical 4kW solar PV system for a UK home costs between £5,000–£7,000 when installed by an MCS-certified professional. Without the additional expense of battery storage, your upfront investment is significantly lower—making solar accessible to more households.

What You’ll Save

A well-positioned 4kW system in the UK generates approximately 3,400kWh annually. Here’s how the savings break down for an average household:

Self-consumption savings: If you use 40% of your generated electricity directly (around 1,360kWh), you’ll save roughly £340–£380 per year at current electricity rates
Export income: The remaining 60% exported to the grid (approximately 2,040kWh) earns you £80–£300 annually through SEG tariffs
Total annual benefit: £420–£680 in combined savings and income

This translates to a payback period of 7–12 years for most installations—and that’s before considering future electricity price increases, which historically rise faster than inflation.

Regional Variations

Your location matters. A south-facing system in Brighton will outperform the same setup in Aberdeen by around 15–20%, affecting both generation and payback times. However, even in Scotland’s cloudier climate, solar panels remain viable—they generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight.

The 25-Year Picture

Solar panels typically come with 25-year performance warranties, and quality systems continue producing well beyond that. Over a quarter-century, a battery-free system can generate total savings and income of £10,000–£17,000, representing a strong return on your initial investment.

When Solar Without Battery Storage Makes Perfect Sense

Not every household needs battery storage, and in many cases, it’s an unnecessary expense. Here are the scenarios where solar panels alone deliver excellent value:

High Daytime Electricity Use

If you work from home, run appliances during the day, or have family members present throughout daylight hours, you’ll naturally consume more of your generated electricity. This maximises self-consumption—the most valuable element of solar ownership—making batteries less critical.

Home-workers, retirees, and households with high daytime energy demands see particularly strong returns from battery-free systems.

Budget-Conscious Installations

Starting with solar panels alone allows you to benefit immediately from lower bills while keeping initial costs manageable. Most modern inverters are battery-ready, meaning you can add storage later if your circumstances change—perhaps when battery prices fall further or your energy needs evolve.

This phased approach lets you spread the investment whilst still capturing today’s solar benefits.

Access to Good Export Tariffs

With competitive SEG rates available—some suppliers now offer 15p per kWh for exports—selling surplus electricity to the grid has become genuinely worthwhile. If you’re exporting 2,000kWh annually at 12p per kWh, that’s £240 in your pocket each year.

For households with lower evening consumption, export income can rival the savings from battery storage without the additional hardware cost.

Future EV Charging Plans

Planning to buy an electric vehicle? Many homeowners find that timing their EV charging to coincide with solar generation (weekend daytime top-ups, for example) provides more practical benefit than battery storage. Modern smart EV chargers can prioritise solar power automatically.

Understanding the Smart Export Guarantee: Getting Paid for Your Surplus

The Smart Export Guarantee transformed the economics of battery-free solar when it launched in January 2020. Unlike the old Feed-in Tariff, SEG specifically rewards households for exporting electricity to the grid.

Here’s what you need to know:

How it works: Energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers must offer at least one SEG tariff. Rates vary significantly between providers, from the mandatory minimum (typically 4p per kWh) to competitive rates exceeding 15p per kWh. Your export meter tracks exactly how much you send to the grid, and you receive quarterly or annual payments.

Maximising export income: Shop around for the best SEG rate—you don’t need to use the same supplier for imports and exports. Some tariffs offer fixed rates; others link to wholesale prices, potentially offering higher returns but with more variability.

The catch: You’ll need a smart meter or dedicated export meter to claim SEG payments. Most installers arrange this during your roof installation, ensuring you’re eligible from day one.

Without battery storage, you’ll export more energy (typically 50–70% of generation), making a competitive SEG tariff essential to your financial return. This export income substantially reduces payback times compared to pre-SEG installations.

When Battery Storage Does Add Value

Whilst solar panels alone work brilliantly for many homes, batteries make sense in specific circumstances:

High evening and night-time consumption: If you’re out all day but use lots of electricity in the evenings, batteries let you store daytime generation for later use rather than exporting at lower SEG rates
Poor export tariffs: In areas with limited supplier competition or if you’re locked into contracts with minimal export rates, storing electricity for your own use may prove more economical
Energy independence goals: Some households prioritise self-sufficiency over pure financial returns, valuing the security of stored power during grid outages (when paired with specific inverter types)
Time-of-use tariffs: If you’re on an Economy 7 or similar tariff, batteries can help you avoid expensive peak-rate imports

The decision isn’t about batteries being “better”—it’s about matching your technology to your household’s reality.

Practical Considerations and Ongoing Costs

Installation and Maintenance

Professional installation typically takes 1–2 days for a standard residential system. Choose an MCS-certified installer (a non-negotiable for warranty protection and SEG eligibility) who’s also TrustMark registered for added peace of mind.

Annual maintenance is minimal—occasional panel cleaning and a visual inspection. Budget around £100–£150 every few years for a professional service check. Quality panels from reputable manufacturers need little intervention, and inverters typically last 10–15 years before requiring replacement (£800–£1,200).

Panel Size and Roof Suitability

Standard solar panels measure approximately 1.7m × 1m, with most homes accommodating 8–16 panels depending on available roof space. Your roof’s pitch, orientation, and structural condition all affect system performance and installation cost.

South-facing roofs deliver optimal generation, but east and west orientations remain viable—typically achieving 80–90% of south-facing output. Even north-facing panels can work in specific circumstances, though returns diminish.

Grants and Financing

Whilst the Feed-in Tariff has closed, several funding options reduce upfront costs:

ECO4 scheme: Low-income households may qualify for discounted or free installations
Green home finance: Many banks now offer preferential loan rates for energy efficiency improvements
Local authority grants: Some councils provide solar incentives—check your local authority’s website

Always verify any grant eligibility before committing to installation, and ensure your chosen installer helps you navigate available schemes.

Making Your Decision: A Simple Framework

Here’s a practical decision flow to guide your choice:

Consider solar PV without battery storage if you:

Work from home or have high daytime occupancy
Want to minimise upfront investment whilst still benefiting from solar
Can access competitive SEG export tariffs (10p+ per kWh)
Have flexible energy usage you can shift to daytime hours
Plan to add batteries later when prices drop or needs change

Think about adding battery storage if you:

Use most electricity in evenings when solar doesn’t generate
Have minimal daytime consumption and poor export tariff options
Prioritise energy independence over pure financial returns
Are on time-of-use tariffs with expensive peak-rate periods

Not sure? Start without batteries. You’ll immediately reduce bills, earn export income, and retain the option to add storage later. Most modern systems are battery-compatible, giving you flexibility as technology improves and prices continue falling.

Solar PV vs Solar Thermal: A Quick Comparison

If you’re exploring solar options, you might wonder how solar PV compares to solar thermal. Solar thermal systems heat water directly using sunlight, whilst solar PV generates electricity.

For most UK homes, solar PV offers greater versatility—powering everything from lights to appliances to future EV chargers. Solar thermal works well for households with high hot water demand but limited electricity needs, though PV with an immersion diverter can achieve similar results whilst maintaining broader utility.

Where to Go from Here

If you’re leaning towards solar PV without battery storage, your next steps are straightforward:

Request professional surveys: Get quotes from 2–3 MCS-certified installers who’ll assess your roof, calculate realistic generation figures, and explain how solar panels work for your specific property
Compare SEG tariffs: Research current export rates from multiple suppliers—this directly impacts your returns
Consider your energy patterns: Review a few months of electricity bills to understand your daily consumption profile
Check financing options: Investigate whether grants, loans, or phased installations suit your budget
Verify installer credentials: Ensure your chosen contractor holds valid MCS and TrustMark accreditation, and research suppliers carefully

Ready to explore whether solar PV without battery storage works for your home? Contact our team for a no-obligation consultation. We’ll assess your property, explain your options transparently, and help you make the choice that’s right for your household and budget—whether that includes batteries or not.

Solar panels without battery storage aren’t a compromise—they’re a smart, proven approach that’s delivered excellent returns for thousands of UK homeowners. With straightforward installation, minimal maintenance, and genuine long-term savings, solar PV alone represents one of the most effective home improvements you can make in 2025.