Home battery storage

In short: Home battery storage stores self-generated solar power for use when the sun isn’t shining. It significantly increases a solar system’s self-consumption share.

In more detail: Without storage, excess solar power is usually fed into the grid, often at lower prices than electricity that must be bought back.

In detail

• How it works: Excess solar power charges the battery; stored energy is drawn back out in the evening or at night.
• Storage types: Lithium-ion batteries are the current standard, with alternatives such as saltwater batteries slowly gaining importance.
• Choosing a size: Storage capacity should match electricity consumption and the size of the solar system; oversizing rarely pays off.
• Economics: High purchase costs often only pay back after several years, depending on electricity prices and subsidies.
• Lifespan: Modern storage units often last ten to fifteen years or longer, depending on use and maintenance.
• Emergency power function: Some systems offer emergency power that keeps at least important devices running during a grid outage.
• Subsidies: Depending on the country and region, grants or low-interest loans are available for home storage (photovoltaik-grundlagen, balkonkraftwerk).