Solar Panels & Battery Storage Explained
Solar PV systems convert sunlight into usable electricity for your home. By combining solar panels, an inverter and optional battery storage, you can generate, use and store your own clean energy — reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your electricity bills.
Whether you’re completely new to solar or just looking to understand how a system works before getting a quote, this guide breaks it down step by step.
How does a Solar PV system work?
A Solar PV (photovoltaic) system allows you to generate electricity from daylight — even on cloudy UK days. The system is made up of three main components:
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Solar panels that capture sunlight
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An inverter that converts electricity into usable power
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A battery (optional) that stores excess energy for later use
Together, these components work seamlessly to power your home more efficiently and reduce your energy costs.
Solar Panels: Capturing Energy from the Sun
Solar panels are usually installed on your roof, where they absorb sunlight during the day. Inside each panel are photovoltaic cells that convert light into direct current (DC) electricity.
Even on overcast days, modern solar panels continue to generate power — making them highly effective in the UK climate.
In simple terms:
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The more daylight available, the more energy your panels produce
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South-facing roofs typically generate the most power
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Panels work best when free from shading
The Inverter: Making Solar Power Usable
The electricity produced by solar panels is not usable on its own... That’s where the inverter comes in.
The inverter converts DC electricity from your panels into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity used by your home appliances.
Your inverter also:
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Prioritises solar power for your home
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Sends excess energy to a battery or the grid
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Monitors system performance
Think of the inverter as the brain of the system, managing how your solar energy is used throughout the day.
Battery Storage: Use Your Solar Energy Anytime
Without a battery, unused solar energy is exported back to the grid. With battery storage, excess electricity is stored and used later — such as in the evening or during peak tariff hours.
Benefits of a solar battery include:
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Using more of your own solar energy
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Reducing electricity imported from the grid
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Greater energy independence
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Backup power during outages (system dependent)
Battery storage is ideal for households looking to maximise savings and future-proof their solar system.
Do I need one?
A battery isn’t essential for every home, but it’s becoming increasingly popular as electricity prices rise and households look to use more of their own solar energy.
How solar panels, the inverter and battery work together
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Solar panels generate electricity during daylight
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The inverter converts it into usable power
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Your home uses solar energy first
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Excess energy charges the battery
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Any remaining energy is exported to the grid
When the sun sets, your home automatically switches to stored battery energy — reducing the need to buy electricity at higher evening rates.
→ Estimate your solar savings with our calculator
Book a FREE Solar Assessment
Call us on 020 8092 9201, or complete the short survey below to receive a tailored solar assessment and see if solar is right for your property:
About Us
Koan Solar is a UK-based solar consultation and design company serving residential and commercial properties across Surrey and London. We specialise in designing competitively priced solar PV and battery storage systems that help homeowners and businesses reduce their electricity bills, increase energy independence, and make better use of renewable energy. Working with MCS-certified installation partners, we handle everything from your initial free assessment through to professional installation and system commissioning. You get expert consultation and personalised service from us, combined with certified, insured installation quality from our trusted partners. From the initial free assessment through to installation, we focus on clear advice, honest recommendations, and systems that are tailored to each property, not "one-size-fits-all" packages.
