How to Start a Solar Battery Storage Installation Business in the UK

Solar battery storage has moved from a niche premium product to a mainstream home energy technology in the space of three years. Falling battery prices, a growing installed base of solar panels across UK rooftops, smart export tariffs that reward households for storing and releasing energy at the right time, and sustained high electricity prices have combined to make battery storage one of the most in-demand installation services available to UK electricians and renewable energy installers. This guide covers what you need to get started, the accreditations that open up grant-funded work, the brands and systems worth knowing, how to price jobs, and how Trade2Base supports the business operations side.

Why Battery Storage Is Booming

Several structural factors are driving demand for battery storage installations in the UK, and they are not expected to reverse:

• Falling battery prices — lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery costs have fallen dramatically over the past three years as manufacturing scale has increased. A 10 kWh system that cost £8,000+ in 2021 can now be installed for materially less, making the financial case much more compelling for homeowners.
• Growing solar install base — over 1.4 million UK homes have solar panels. The majority installed before 2020 do not have battery storage. Retrofitting batteries to existing solar systems is a large and growing market requiring no new roof penetrations and minimal structural work.
• Smart export tariff (SEG) — the Smart Export Guarantee pays homeowners for electricity exported to the grid. Battery storage enables households to store solar generation and export at higher-rate periods, improving the financial return on both solar and battery investments.
• Energy bill savings — with electricity prices remaining elevated, a battery system that shifts consumption away from peak-rate periods can save a household £300–£700 per year depending on usage patterns and tariff structure.
• Time-of-use tariffs — electricity tariffs such as Octopus Agile, Intelligent Octopus, and other EV-charging-optimised tariffs reward battery storage behaviour by offering near-zero or negative-rate overnight periods for charging.

Accreditations and Schemes

Battery storage installation requires the right accreditations to access grant-funded work and to meet manufacturer warranty requirements:

• MCS accreditation (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) — MCS accreditation is required to install under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and to issue MCS certificates that many battery storage customers require for finance products and manufacturer warranties. Without MCS accreditation, you are excluded from a significant proportion of the market.
• HIES membership (Home Insulation and Energy Systems Contractors Scheme) — HIES provides consumer protection scheme membership required by some finance providers and recommended by Which? Trusted Traders. HIES membership increases consumer confidence for larger domestic installations.
• RECC (Renewable Energy Consumer Code) — an alternative consumer protection scheme to HIES. Some customers and finance partners specify RECC membership. Either HIES or RECC is typically sufficient.
• NICEIC or NAPIT electrical certification — battery storage is fundamentally electrical work. NICEIC or NAPIT approved contractor status, with Part P certification for domestic work, is the baseline electrical competence requirement.
• 18th Edition wiring regulations — electrical engineers installing battery storage must be current with the 18th Edition (BS 7671) and familiar with the additional requirements for energy storage systems covered in Part 7.

Key Systems and Brands

The UK battery storage market has consolidated around a handful of major brands, each with its own installer accreditation programme and margin structure:

• Tesla Powerwall — the most widely recognised consumer battery brand in the UK. Requires Tesla Certified Installer status, which involves training, minimum install volumes, and adherence to Tesla installation standards. Strong brand pull with consumers. Margin is constrained by Tesla pricing controls.
• GivEnergy — UK-based manufacturer with a strong installer network. The GivEnergy EV charger, battery, and hybrid inverter ecosystem is popular with installers who want to offer a complete home energy package. Good margins and strong UK technical support.
• SolarEdge — Israeli manufacturer with a significant UK presence. The SolarEdge Energy Hub inverter integrates battery storage, EV charging, and solar generation management in a single system. Preferred by installers who already work with SolarEdge solar systems.
• Growatt — Chinese manufacturer with a very competitive price point and a growing UK installer base. Popular for price-sensitive domestic installations and commercial BESS projects where cost per kWh is the primary driver.
• Sunsynk — South African-designed system with strong off-grid and hybrid capability. Growing UK market share and a dedicated installer training programme.
• Solis and Victron — both have significant UK installer communities, particularly among installers serving the off-grid, rural, and agricultural markets.

Services to Offer

A battery storage business can be structured around several service lines, from fast-turnaround domestic retrofits to larger commercial energy projects:

• Standalone battery storage retrofit — fitting a battery storage system to an existing solar installation. Typically a one-day install for domestic properties. High-volume opportunity given the large installed base of solar-only systems.
• Solar and storage combined projects — new solar panel and battery storage system on a single project for a homeowner who has neither. Higher average job value, more comprehensive survey and design work, stronger customer relationship.
• Commercial battery energy storage systems (BESS) — larger battery systems for businesses, farms, and commercial property owners. Often combined with on-site solar generation, EV charging, and demand management. High-value projects requiring detailed electrical design and DNO engagement.
• Maintenance and monitoring — ongoing health monitoring for installed systems, firmware updates, and annual inspection. As your installed base grows, recurring maintenance fees become an increasingly significant income stream.

Pricing Guide

Battery storage pricing is driven primarily by battery capacity (kWh), inverter type, and whether the install is a retrofit or combined with a new solar system. Typical UK market pricing in 2026:

• Domestic battery storage retrofit, 5 kWh: £2,500–£4,000 supply and install for an entry-level system. Suitable for smaller solar arrays (2–3 kWp).
• Domestic battery storage retrofit, 10 kWh: £4,000–£6,500 for a mid-range system. The most popular capacity point for 3–4 kWp solar arrays.
• Domestic battery storage retrofit, 15–20 kWh: £6,500–£9,000 for larger capacity systems or stacked battery configurations.
• Solar and storage combined (4 kWp solar, 10 kWh battery): £8,000–£13,000 supply and install for a typical 3-bedroom home. Strong sales pitch for high-energy-use households.
• Solar and storage combined (6 kWp solar, 15 kWh battery): £12,000–£18,000 for larger homes or households with EV charging requirements.
• Commercial BESS project (50–100 kWh+): £25,000–£150,000+ depending on system size, grid connection requirements, and whether revenue stacking (Flexibility/FFR/DC) services are included.

DNO Notifications: G98 and G99

All battery storage systems connected to the grid require notification to the relevant Distribution Network Operator. Understanding the G98 and G99 requirements is essential:

• G98 notification — applies to domestic and small commercial battery systems up to 16 A per phase (approximately 3.68 kW per phase export). G98 systems can be connected and notified to the DNO within 28 days of installation. The process is relatively straightforward for most domestic installs.
• G99 application — applies to systems above the G98 threshold. G99 requires pre-approval from the DNO before installation can proceed. The process can take 4–12 weeks. For commercial BESS projects and larger domestic systems, this timeline must be built into project planning.
• Export limiting — some DNOs in areas with constrained grid capacity may require export limiting as a condition of connection. Modern battery inverters support export limiting via CT clamp configuration.
• Single Line Diagram (SLD) — G99 applications require a single line diagram of the electrical installation. This can be prepared by the installer or by a specialist electrical design consultant.

How Trade2Base Helps Battery Storage Businesses

Trade2Base supports the business operations of a solar battery storage installation company — from first enquiry through to MCS certificate issuance, customer portal, and review collection:

• MCS certificate storage — store MCS commissioning certificates, system design documents, DNO notifications, and warranty documents against each customer. Share certificates directly through the customer portal when customers need them for finance applications or future property sales.
• BUS grant documentation — organise and store Boiler Upgrade Scheme documentation per installation. Track grant application status and flag any outstanding paperwork.
• Quote builder with digital sign-off — send detailed solar and battery storage proposals with itemised system specifications, savings projections, and digital sign-off. Customers review, approve, and pay a deposit online without a phone call.
• Stripe deposits — collect a deposit at the point of quote acceptance. Reduces cancellation rates and confirms commitment before you order equipment.
• Customer portal — give customers access to their system documentation, installation records, and MCS certificates. Increases professionalism and reduces post-installation admin calls.
• Campaign attribution — track which marketing channels (Google Ads, Energy Saving Trust referrals, MCS directory listings, word of mouth) generate your highest-value installations. Measure cost per installed kWh, not just cost per lead.