If you have panels installed at your home, adding a battery can be a great way to store extra energy and save more on your bills. Whether you can add a solar battery to your existing system depends on a few things:
- How old your solar system is
- The size of your system
- The type of inverter you have installed and whether it works with batteries
Can I get a quote to add a battery with Kleenheat?
If you wish to add a solar battery to your existing system, you can request a battery package in our online tool. You’ll be asked to provide some information about your existing system, such as the make and model of your existing inverter (if known) and the capacity of your system. We’ll use this information to present you with battery packages that are compatible with your system.
Depending on the model of your existing inverter and when the system was installed, there may be cases where we recommend you install a new solar and battery system. A new system will give you access to more efficient technology, full warranties, and ensure compliance with current safety regulations.
Why can't I always add a battery to my existing system?
These are the main reasons that make it complicated and expensive to add a solar battery to your current solar system:
Battery and inverter incompatibility
Many existing solar systems use string inverters, which generally cannot connect directly to a battery. While some older inverters may have been sold as 'battery-ready,' this does not mean they are compatible with all batteries available today. In some cases, the matching battery is no longer manufactured or supported. Compatibility can also vary between inverter brands and battery brands, as different manufacturers use different systems and communication standards. Government regulations and current installation requirements can further limit which battery packages are suitable for an existing system.
Age of the existing system
Wiring standards have changed over time, and any modifications to an existing solar system may require parts of the system to be brought up to current standards. Depending on the age, design and wiring of your existing system, your options for adding a battery may be limited. Not every battery package is compatible with every existing solar system, and in some cases, the work required to meet current wiring standards may not be economical. Where these changes are extensive or costly, replacing the existing solar system with a new solar and battery system may be the better long-term option.
Size of your existing system
Adding a battery to an existing solar system is not always practical if the system is not large enough to generate surplus energy. Your solar system needs to produce enough power to cover your daytime household usage, as well as extra energy to charge the battery for use after the sun goes down. If there is little or no surplus solar energy available, the battery may not charge effectively and may deliver limited benefit. In this case, you may need to consider replacing it with a larger system that is better suited to battery storage.
Getting a home battery with Kleenheat Spark
Adding a battery to your existing solar system can be a smart way to boost your energy savings, but your ability to add one to an existing solar system depends on your system’s age, inverter type, and installation setup.
Kleenheat Spark makes it easy to find out what’s right for your home. Using the information you provide, our online tool will assess your system size, inverter type, and overall compatibility, then instantly show you battery packages that are suitable for your existing system. This helps you compare compatible options upfront and choose the package that best suits your home.