A brand-new market is growing for home batteries that make it possible for British homeowners to store energy generated by solar panels and other renewable sources. The “Powerwall” battery, from Tesla, the pioneering automotive company founded by Elon Musk, is now going on sale in Britain. But one Oxford couple have already found their own DIY way to store the energy generated by their solar panels. Brian and Ruth Willis have had conventional solar panels on their roof for four years. Then earlier this year they installed a new system, which makes it possible for them to use their solar energy to heat and light their home day or night, rain or shine. The 12 ground-based solar panels are in a south-facing area and angled so that they collect the maximum amount of energy possible during the spring and summer. The energy is then stored in 28 batteries kept in a covered enclosure outside the house. The 16 rooftop panels are capable of producing a peak output of 4kW. This is used to power and heat the house during the day. The power source is then switched over to the ground-based panels and batteries every evening.
Telegraph 1st Oct 2016 read more »