Battery Storage Installation for Bristol & Somerset
Store your solar energy, slash your electricity bills by up to 95%, and keep your home powered during grid outages. D&R Energy installs FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall battery systems across the South West.
MCS Certified
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
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National Association of Professional Inspectors
RECC Member
Renewable Energy Consumer Code
Why Battery Storage Transforms Your Solar Investment
Solar panels alone typically save homeowners between 30% and 50% on their electricity bills. The reason the savings are not higher is simple: without a battery, you can only use solar electricity the moment it is generated. Any surplus energy produced during the day while you are at work or out of the house is exported to the grid for a relatively small payment under the Smart Export Guarantee. In the evening, when your household demand peaks, you are back to buying electricity from your supplier at full price.
Industry Trend: Battery Is Now the Standard
According to MCS data, 94% of all new solar installations in the UK in 2025 included a battery storage system — up from under 50% just three years ago. Homeowners have overwhelmingly concluded that solar without battery storage is leaving money on the table.
Adding battery storage changes the equation entirely. A home battery captures surplus solar electricity during the day and stores it for use in the evening and overnight. This means the free electricity your panels generate is available whenever you need it, not just during daylight hours. The result is bill reductions of 60% to 95% depending on your system size, battery capacity, and energy consumption patterns.
Battery storage also enables smart tariff optimisation. Time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Agile and Intelligent Octopus offer electricity at significantly reduced rates during off-peak hours, typically between midnight and 5am. A battery system can be programmed to charge from the grid at these cheap overnight rates and then discharge during the expensive peak period, saving you money even on days when solar generation is low. When combined with daytime solar charging, this dual strategy maximises your savings year-round.
FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall both provide backup power during grid outages. When the grid goes down, the system automatically detects the interruption and switches to battery power, keeping your essential appliances running. This is particularly valuable in rural parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire where power cuts can be more frequent and prolonged.
Solar Panels with Battery vs Solar Panels Alone
See exactly how adding battery storage amplifies the value of your solar panels.
Solar Only
Panels + inverter
Solar + Battery
Panels + inverter + storage
94% of new UK solar installs in 2025 included battery storage
FoxESS Cube & Tesla Powerwall: Which Battery Is Right for You?
D&R Energy installs three industry-leading battery systems, each suited to different needs and budgets. Every option includes a 10-year warranty and works alongside your solar panels at 0% VAT.
The FoxESS Cube is the most scalable option in the D&R range. Modules stack from 2.88kWh up to 41.94kWh, making it the ideal choice for homes and businesses that want room to grow their storage capacity over time.
- Start small and expand — add modules as your needs grow
- IP65 rated — suitable for garage, utility room, or outdoors
- LFP chemistry — 6,000+ cycle rated lifetime
- Compatible with FoxESS and third-party inverters
Tesla's third-generation Powerwall includes a built-in solar inverter, eliminating the need for a separate inverter on new installations. With 13.5kWh of usable capacity and whole-home backup capability, it's the premium whole-home solution.
- Built-in inverter — one box for solar and battery
- Whole-home backup during power cuts
- Tesla app — intuitive monitoring and time-of-use control
- Storm Watch — pre-charges before bad weather
Why the FoxESS Cube's modular design changes the equation
The FoxESS Cube is the only battery system we install where you can literally start with one 2.56kWh module and click in additional modules months or years later — up to 10 modules in a single stack. This makes it ideal for homeowners who want to invest gradually, or who are planning future EV or heat pump additions that will significantly increase their energy storage needs. There is no need to replace the entire unit when your requirements grow.
For most homeowners adding battery storage alongside a new solar PV installation, we recommend the FoxESS Cube. It offers hybrid inverter integration, excellent app monitoring, and smart tariff support at outstanding value. The Cube's stackable design gives it a scalability edge for those who anticipate growing energy needs.
Tesla Powerwall is the ideal choice if you prioritise whole-home backup power during grid outages or if you have an existing solar installation that already has its own inverter. The Powerwall's built-in inverter means it can be retrofitted to any solar system without replacing your existing equipment. Call us on 0800 772 0758 to discuss your requirements.
Key Benefits of Battery Storage
Store Free Solar Energy
Capture surplus daytime solar generation and use it in the evening when electricity demand peaks, instead of exporting it cheaply to the grid.
Cut Bills by Up to 95%
Solar panels alone save 30-50%. Adding battery storage increases your self-consumption dramatically, cutting total electricity bills by 60-95%.
Smart Tariff Optimisation
Charge your battery from the grid at cheap overnight rates (as low as 7p/kWh) and discharge during expensive peak periods, saving money even on cloudy days.
Backup Power Protection
Both FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall provide automatic backup during grid outages, keeping your lights, fridge, and essential appliances running.
Faster Payback Period
By increasing your self-consumption from around 40% to 80%+, battery storage reduces the overall payback period of your solar investment to 4-7 years.
0% VAT When Installed with Solar
Battery storage qualifies for 0% VAT when installed alongside solar panels. This zero rate applies until at least March 2027, delivering significant savings on your total project cost.
FoxESS Cube Battery Range: Installed Prices (2026)
D&R Energy installs the FoxESS Cube modular battery stack. All FoxESS Cube batteries use LFP (LiFePO4) chemistry — the safest lithium technology — and carry a 10-year warranty.
| Model | Usable Capacity | Installed Price | Best For | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoxESS Cube 2.56kWh | 2.56kWh | £2,500–£3,200 | Small systems, starter | 10 years |
| FoxESS Cube 5.12kWh | 5.12kWh (100% DoD) | £3,800–£4,500 | 2–3 bed, 8–12 panels | 10 years |
| FoxESS Cube 10.24kWh | 10.24kWh | £5,500–£7,000 | 3–4+ bed, EV, heat pump | 10 years |
| FoxESS Cube 25.6kWh | 25.6kWh (max stack) | £7,000–£9,000 | High usage, max storage | 10 years |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5kWh + built-in inverter | £7,500–£10,000 | Whole-home backup, premium | 10 years |
All prices include 0% VAT when installed with solar panels. Battery-only installations are subject to 20% VAT. Get a personalised quote →
Smart Tariff Savings with Battery Storage
The right electricity tariff dramatically increases your battery's savings. On Octopus Go, charging your 9.5kWh battery overnight at 7.5p/kWh and discharging at peak saves approximately £590/year — on top of your solar savings.
| Tariff | Overnight Rate | Peak Rate | Annual Battery Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Go | 7.5p/kWh (00:30–04:30) | 24.5p/kWh | £400–£600 |
| Octopus Flux | Variable | Variable (peak export bonus) | £500–£800 |
| Octopus Agile | 0p–negative possible | Up to 35p+ | £600–£900+ |
FoxESS Cube batteries integrate natively with Octopus Go, Agile, Flux, and Intelligent Octopus — automatic scheduling, no manual intervention. D&R Energy configures your smart tariff settings as part of every installation. Full smart tariff guide →
Is Battery Storage Worth It Without Solar?
Yes — a home battery on Octopus Go can save approximately £590/year through tariff arbitrage alone (charge at 7.5p overnight, avoid 24.5p peak rate). Payback on a 10.24kWh FoxESS Cube battery is approximately 9–12 years standalone, versus 7–10 years when paired with solar. Important: standalone battery installations are subject to 20% VAT, unlike solar + battery combinations which benefit from 0% VAT.
Battery-only installations also provide backup power during outages — particularly valuable in rural parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. If you are planning to add solar later, we recommend installing the battery first and sizing it for your eventual solar system. Read our full battery-without-solar guide →
Adding Battery Storage to an Existing Solar System
Yes. Battery storage can be retrofitted to virtually any existing solar PV system. If you already have solar panels on your roof but did not include a battery when your system was originally installed, D&R Energy can assess your current setup and recommend the best storage solution.
If your existing system uses a standard string inverter, we can install a FoxESS Cube AC-coupled battery that works alongside your current inverter without replacing it. Alternatively, if your inverter is nearing end of life, we can upgrade to a FoxESS hybrid inverter that manages both solar generation and battery storage through a single unit, simplifying your system and improving overall efficiency.
Tesla Powerwall is also an excellent retrofit option thanks to its built-in inverter. It can be added to any existing solar PV system regardless of the inverter brand, and provides whole-home backup capability that most AC-coupled systems cannot match. Our team will recommend the most cost-effective approach for your specific situation during a free property survey. Explore our solar panel installation page if you are also considering upgrading or expanding your existing panels.
Battery Storage Installed by D&R Energy
Every battery system we install is commissioned by our in-house MCS-certified team. We handle the full process from surveying your property to configuring smart tariff schedules so your battery starts saving money from day one.
FoxESS Cube System 
Tesla Powerwall Complete Your Solar System
Store surplus solar for evenings. FoxESS Cube & Tesla Powerwall from ~£3,000.
Charge your car with free solar electricity. Zappi smart charger from ~£900.
Spread the cost over 3–10 years. No deposit options available. Subject to status.
Our Installation Process
Whether you are adding battery storage to a new solar system or retrofitting to existing panels, our process is straightforward.
Free Consultation
Call our freephone or complete our online form. We discuss your energy needs, answer questions, and explain your options — no pressure, no obligation.
Property Survey
Our MCS-certified surveyor assesses your roof, orientation, shading, and electrical setup. We calculate your home's exact solar potential.
Bespoke Design
We produce a custom system design — panel layout, inverter sizing, battery integration — matched exactly to your property and energy usage patterns.
Installation Day
Our crew installs your system in 1–2 days. We handle everything: DNO notification, MCS registration, and Smart Export Guarantee paperwork.
Free Consultation
Call our freephone or complete our online form. We discuss your energy needs, answer questions, and explain your options — no pressure, no obligation.
Property Survey
Our MCS-certified surveyor assesses your roof, orientation, shading, and electrical setup. We calculate your home's exact solar potential.
Bespoke Design
We produce a custom system design — panel layout, inverter sizing, battery integration — matched exactly to your property and energy usage patterns.
Installation Day
Our crew installs your system in 1–2 days. We handle everything: DNO notification, MCS registration, and Smart Export Guarantee paperwork.
Battery Storage Installation Areas
We install FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall battery systems across Bristol, Somerset, Bath, and the wider South West.
Primary Service Area
Battery Storage FAQs
Still have questions about battery storage?
Book a free 20-minute call with our MCS-certified team — no sales pressure, just honest advice on the best battery for your home.
