Solar panel and battery system saves Epsom household circa £1200

Experts in Renewable Energy

Overview

Solar PV panels and battery storage have helped an Epsom household save up to £1,200 on electricity bills over the past year. The single-phase system was fitted to the 1930s detached 6-bed property in Spring 2025.

The system is connected to the grid so the homeowners can export surplus electricity and sell it to licensed energy suppliers. The solar panels generate electricity and the battery stores it for later use. “This means we almost never use electricity at peak charge times,” says homeowner Mrs B. “Our energy bills shrank overnight and we’ve saved around £1,200 since the installation.”

“When the system was put in – which only took a couple of days – we were advised to switch to the smart Octopus Flux tariff. This is designed for use with solar and batteries. The smart meter automatically tops the energy in our battery at the cheapest times/rates. Then it discharges the battery and sells any surplus energy back to the grid at peak times/rates – it’s win-win.”

Key Works

  • 5.4kW solar PV panel and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installed in Spring 2025.
  • 12 black Trina panels fitted to rear and side elevations of the roof.
  • Fox 368kW hybrid converter + 10.36kWh battery allows for backup power via EPS (Emergency Power Supply)
  • MCS-certified system allows homeowners to sell excess electricity to energy suppliers via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.

 

“This 5.4kW system was designed to deliver optimum solar generation for the property using the roof space available. This is a high-output residential set-up that works well for most 4-6 bed households,” explains Paul Vine, Director of Barton Knight Energy. “It includes 12 solar PV panels, each with a 445w peak power rating, and would typically generate between 10-13kWh a day (more in summer). This is usually enough to power essential appliances such as a fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, TV, and lights. Excess energy can be stored in the battery for later use (eg at night) or exported back to the grid.”

Twelve black solar panels were installed on the roof, some fitted on the rear elevation and some on the side to maximise the space available. The Trina panels were paired with a Fox 368kW hybrid inverter and a 10.36kW battery, which allow for back-up power via EPS (Emergency Power Supply). The battery storage system is controlled by the FoxCloud smart app. Both Trina and Fox are reliable, tried-and-tested brands that offer good performance and durability.

Paul adds: “Solar panel manufacturers typically provide two main warranties: a 10-25 year product warranty for material defects, and a 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing 80-90% output.”

“We’re delighted with our panels and battery,” says Mrs B. “As well as saving us money and helping the environment, the system gives us much more control over our energy, and means we’re less reliant on the grid. We’ve got back-up in case of power-cuts and have some protection against energy prices. It just gives us more security.”

To enquire about a solar panel and battery system for your house email our energy consultants at hello@bartonknightenergy.co.uk.

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