If you’re thinking about installing solar panels in Ireland, there’s a good chance you’ve also come across the option of adding a home battery to your setup.
But is it worth the extra cost? Do you really need one? Or can you get by just fine without it?
Let’s break it down so you can decide whether a solar battery is the right move for your home.
🔋 What Does a Solar Battery Do?
A solar battery stores the excess electricity your PV solar system produces during the day — energy that you don’t use right away. Instead of sending that surplus back to the grid, it’s saved for later, like in the evening when the sun’s gone down but you’re still using power.
Think of it as a way to extend your solar energy into the night.
⚖️ The Pros of Getting a Solar Battery
1. Use More of Your Own Power
Without a battery, most of the solar energy you don’t use during daylight hours is exported back to the grid. With a battery, you store that energy and use it yourself later, which means you buy less electricity from your supplier.
2. Greater Energy Independence
A battery helps you rely less on the grid — a big bonus during power outages, energy price spikes, or peak usage times. It gives you more control over your energy use.
3. Save More Money Over Time
By using more of your own electricity and buying less from the grid (especially at higher evening rates), your long-term savings increase. And as energy prices rise, those savings grow too.
4. Future-Proofing
If you ever plan to get an electric vehicle, a heat pump, or go fully off-grid, having a battery puts you one step ahead. You’ll already have the infrastructure to support higher electricity demand.
💸 The Cons — and Things to Consider
1. Higher Upfront Cost
Batteries aren’t cheap. A typical home battery in Ireland can cost between €3,000–€6,000, depending on the size and brand. While there are SEAI grants available for solar panels, there’s currently no direct grant for batteries.
2. Longer Payback Period
Because of the extra upfront cost, it may take longer to see a return on investment — especially if your electricity usage is low or if you’re exporting only a small amount of excess energy.
3. Not Always Necessary
If you’re home during the day (e.g., remote worker or retired), you might already be using most of your solar power as it’s generated — in which case, a battery might not add much value.
⚡ What About Selling Power Back to the Grid?
With the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), you can now get paid for excess electricity you send to the grid — usually around €0.13–€0.20 per kWh depending on your supplier.
If you don’t have a battery, this payment helps offset what you’d earn from using stored energy. So, in some cases, exporting might actually be more cost-effective than storing — especially when battery prices are high.
✅ So, Should You Get a Battery?
Here’s a quick way to decide:
| You Should Consider a Battery If… | You Might Skip the Battery If… |
| You’re often away during the day | You use most of your energy during daylight hours |
| You want more energy independence | You’re okay with selling excess to the grid |
| You’re planning for future upgrades (EV, heat pump, etc.) | You’re on a tight budget |
| You want backup during blackouts | You live in an area with a very stable grid |
🔍 Final Thought
While a battery isn’t essential for every solar setup, it can significantly increase your energy independence and long-term savings, especially as technology improves and prices come down.
If your budget allows and you want to maximise the benefits of your PV solar system, a battery is absolutely worth considering.
Still unsure? Talk to your solar installer about your energy usage habits and get a tailored recommendation — because when it comes to solar, one size definitely doesn’t fit all.
