Adding a Battery to Existing Solar Panels in Dundee
Quick answer
Yes. Most existing solar PV systems in Dundee can take a battery. With a hybrid inverter the battery connects directly; with a standard string inverter, an AC-coupled battery with its own inverter is added. Your panels keep generating as before, and the battery stores surplus daytime power plus overnight grid electricity. A survey confirms the right setup.
Key facts
- Most existing solar systems can accept a battery
- Hybrid inverters connect directly; string inverters need AC-coupling
- Solar generation continues uninterrupted
- The battery adds overnight grid charging as a second power source
- Feed-in Tariff payments should not be affected
- Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Yes. A battery can be retrofitted to an existing solar PV system in Dundee. It stores surplus solar generation during the day and overnight grid power, giving you two charging sources instead of one.
Most existing solar installations can accept a battery. The surveyor checks your current inverter, panel capacity, and meter position to determine whether you need a hybrid inverter or an AC-coupled battery system.
If your solar inverter is already a hybrid model, the battery connects directly. If it is a string inverter only, we install an AC-coupled battery with its own inverter. Both approaches work well — the right choice depends on your existing equipment.
Does adding a battery change my solar generation?
No. Your solar panels continue generating exactly as before. The battery simply stores what you do not use immediately instead of sending it back to the grid.
Without a battery, surplus solar generation exports to the grid, often at a lower rate than you pay for electricity. With a battery, that surplus charges the battery and is used in the evening or overnight, replacing electricity you would otherwise buy at the peak rate.
The battery also charges from the grid overnight on a cheap time-of-use tariff. So even on days when your solar panels produce nothing, the battery still saves you money by shifting your usage from the day rate to the overnight rate.
Do I need a new inverter?
It depends on your current inverter. If it is a hybrid inverter, the battery connects directly. If it is a string inverter only, you need an AC-coupled battery with its own inverter.
The surveyor identifies your current inverter model and recommends the right battery configuration. An AC-coupled system is slightly more expensive but works with any existing solar installation. A DC-coupled system through a hybrid inverter is more efficient but requires a compatible inverter.
Either way, your solar generation continues uninterrupted. The battery installation is an addition, not a replacement of your solar system.
Does the electricity network need to know?
Yes. Adding a battery changes what your home can feed into the local network, so the installer notifies the network operator. In Dundee, Angus and north-east Fife that is Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
Smaller systems are usually covered by a simple notification after installation under the G98 process. Larger combined solar and battery systems may need an application under G99 before connection, which can add time to the project. The surveyor tells you which applies.
This paperwork is handled as part of the installation. It is one of the reasons the survey comes first: the size of your existing solar system and the battery together decide which route is needed.
How much does adding a battery cost?
The price of adding a battery to existing solar in Dundee is confirmed after a survey. It depends on your inverter, the battery capacity you need and where the battery can be fitted.
The surveyor assesses your existing solar setup, your inverter type, and your household usage to specify the right battery capacity. The written quotation itemises the battery, any additional inverter or coupling equipment, installation, and certification.
Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status. Terms are confirmed on your quotation.
Will the battery work if my solar panels are not producing?
Yes. The battery charges from the grid overnight on a cheap time-of-use tariff, so it works year-round regardless of solar generation.
In winter, when solar generation is low in Dundee, the battery charges primarily from the grid overnight. In summer, it charges from solar surplus during the day and tops up from the grid overnight if needed.
This dual-charging approach is one of the main advantages of adding a battery: you get two charging sources (solar and overnight grid) instead of one.
Frequently asked questions
Do you install home batteries in Dundee?
Yes. We install home battery storage across Dundee and the wider Tayside area through our MCS-certified partners. Every installation starts with a survey at your home, where the meter, consumer unit and available space are checked, followed by a written, no-obligation quote that sets out the battery, the work involved and the warranty terms.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Yes. Most existing solar PV systems can take a battery. With a hybrid inverter the battery connects directly; with a standard string inverter, an AC-coupled battery with its own inverter is added. Your panels keep generating as before, and the surveyor confirms which setup suits your system and what the network operator needs to be told.
Is finance available?
Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status. The terms are shown on your written quotation alongside the full installation price. You are never obliged to use credit: you can pay in full or arrange your own finance, and the installation price stays the same whichever you choose.
How do I get a quote?
Call 0141 230 0198 or send the quote form on this page. We call you back within one working day to book a survey at your home. After the survey you receive a written, no-obligation quote with the battery size, every cost line and the warranty terms, so you can decide in your own time.
Can any solar system have a battery added?
Most existing solar installations in Dundee can accept a battery. The surveyor checks your inverter type and panel capacity. If you have a hybrid inverter, the battery connects directly. If not, an AC-coupled battery works with any system. Older Feed-in Tariff systems are usually suitable too.
Will adding a battery affect my Feed-in Tariff payments?
Adding a battery should not affect existing Feed-in Tariff payments, as your solar generation is measured at the meter. The surveyor confirms this for your specific situation. Keep your Feed-in Tariff paperwork handy for the survey, because the surveyor checks how the generation meter is wired before recommending where the battery connects.
How long does the battery installation take?
A typical battery retrofit takes one to two days. The battery is mounted, connected to your existing system, and commissioned. Your solar panels keep working throughout. The electricity is switched off for a short period while the connection is made, and the installer shows you the monitoring app before leaving.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes, a smart meter is required to use a time-of-use tariff, which is what makes the battery worth having. If you do not have one yet, your energy supplier can install one. The surveyor checks whether your current meter can support a time-of-use tariff before the quote is written.
What size battery do I need for my solar panels?
The right battery size depends on your solar generation capacity and your daytime usage. The surveyor calculates this from your actual usage data and panel output. A typical retrofit battery is 5 to 10 kWh. A bigger battery is not always better if your usage does not fill it.
Reviewed by the Scottish Energy Efficiency team. Last updated: 28 October 2026.
Ready to get your written quotation?
Survey first, written quotation second. No deposit, no obligation. We call you back within one working day.
- Home survey before any price
- We install through MCS-certified partners
- Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status.