As more homeowners look to make the most of their solar PV systems, battery storage is becoming a popular and practical addition. Not only does it boost energy independence, but it also offers peace of mind during power outages and helps reduce electricity bills. At Sunlit Solar, we exclusively install Tesla Powerwall and SolarEdge Energy Bank batteries – and there’s a good reason for that.
💡 Why Add Battery Storage to Your Solar System?
Whether you’re already producing solar energy or considering a new system, a battery gives you the power to:
- Store excess solar power generated during the day for use at night or on cloudy days.
- Capitalise on electricity arbitrage and Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) – store electricity during low-demand periods and use it, or sell it back to the grid at a higher rate, during peak demand.
- Reduce your reliance on increasingly unstable grid energy supply, and in many cases, ensure essential systems stay powered during outages.
- Maximise your savings by limiting your reliance on unstable grid electricity prices and using stored energy during peak rate times.
- Minimise waste, as less energy is exported to the grid.
- Lower your carbon footprint and support renewable energy.
🔧 Why We Only Install Tesla & SolarEdge Batteries
We’ve chosen to specialise in Tesla and SolarEdge battery systems because they meet our high standards for quality, performance and long-term reliability. As a local company, we want to ensure every install is one we can stand behind. These are systems we know inside and out – reliable, high-performance options that are fully backed by strong warranties and great technical support.
We don’t install cheaper alternatives because we believe in doing it once and doing it right. Both Tesla and SolarEdge offer seamless integration, smart monitoring, and excellent manufacturer support – and most importantly, they’re retrofittable, so you can add a battery when the time is right.
Both batteries automatically disconnect your home from the grid during a power outage and switch to backup power. This means your essential or full home circuits can keep running, and your solar PV system will continue working as well.
Many other battery systems only provide backup to a single isolated circuit, and their solar panels stop working during a power cut – so once the battery runs out, it can’t recharge from solar until the grid comes back.
⚡ Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between the Tesla Powerwall 3 and the SolarEdge Energy Bank:
🔍 Tesla Powerwall 3 vs. SolarEdge Energy Bank – At a Glance
| Feature | SolarEdge Energy Bank | Tesla Powerwall 3 |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Usable Capacity | 9.7 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
| Continuous Power Output | 5 kW | 11.04 kW |
| Peak Power Output | 7.5 kW (10 sec) | 30 kW (10 sec) |
| Coupling Type | DC Coupled only | AC and DC Coupled |
| Built-in Inverter | No – requires separate inverter | Yes – inverter built-in |
| Backup Power | Yes (slight delay) | Yes (seamless switchover) |
| Charging from Grid | Yes | Yes |
| System Efficiency | 94.5% round-trip | 97.5% round-trip |
| Scalability | Up to 3 units per inverter | Up to 4 units per gateway (max. of 3 extension packs) |
| Warranty | 10 years (70% capacity) | 10 years (80% capacity) |
| Cost of Battery | From £4,800 | From £7,750 |
| Monitoring App | SolarEdge app (SolarEdge ecosystem only) | Tesla app |
| Ideal For | Homes with SolarEdge PV systems | Homes wanting high capacity, flexible setup and existing FIT tariff. |
🔍 Further Breakdown: Pros and Cons of Each System
If you’re still weighing up which battery is best for your home, here’s a more detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of both the Tesla Powerwall 3 and the SolarEdge Energy Bank. This deeper dive will help you make a fully informed choice based on what matters most — whether that’s capacity, cost, system compatibility, or ease of expansion.
⚡ Tesla Powerwall 3: Powerful and All-in-One
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is an AC and DC-coupled battery system with a built-in inverter, offering one of the most efficient and versatile options on the market.
- Usable Capacity: 13.5 kWh
- Continuous Power: 11.04 kW
- Peak Power: 30 kW for 10 seconds
- Round-Trip Efficiency: 97.5%
- AC & DC Coupled: Yes — great for both new installs and retrofits
- Warranty: 10 years (80% capacity guarantee)
- Seamless Backup: Instant switchover during power cuts
- Scalability: Up to 10 units
- Cost (with backup): From £7,523
✅ Pros:
- Higher capacity and power output
- Integrated inverter = fewer components
- Excellent for whole-home backup
- Works with any PV system
⚠️ Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Less modular compared to SolarEdge in staged installs
🔋 SolarEdge Energy Bank: Efficient and Ecosystem-Friendly
The SolarEdge Energy Bank is a DC-coupled system optimised to work seamlessly with SolarEdge inverters and optimisers, offering a highly efficient and integrated solution.
- Usable Capacity: 9.7 kWh
- Continuous Power: 5 kW
- Peak Power: 7.5 kW for 10 seconds
- Round-Trip Efficiency: 94.5%
- DC Coupled Only: Ideal for new builds with SolarEdge PV
- Warranty: 10 years (70% capacity guarantee)
- Scalability: Up to 5 units
- Cost (with backup): From £5,948
✅ Pros:
- Lower upfront cost
- Highly efficient when installed with SolarEdge PV
- Streamlined monitoring (single app, single provider)
- Easier DNO approval with DC setup
- Modular — battery can be added later
⚠️ Cons:
- Requires SolarEdge inverter/optimisers
- Minor delay in switching to backup during outages
- Less flexibility for non-SolarEdge systems
🤔 Which One Should You Choose?
It really comes down to your current setup and long-term goals:
- Already using SolarEdge? The Energy Bank is a seamless fit and keeps everything under one system.
- Looking for maximum storage and instant backup? Tesla Powerwall 3 is a premium, plug-and-play option.
- Not ready for a battery yet? SolarEdge lets you install solar now and add storage later without hassle.
At Sunlit Solar, we’ll help you figure out the best solution for your home, your energy use, and your future plans. We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need — just to help you make smart, sustainable choices.
🔧 Ready to Talk Batteries?
Whether you’re looking to upgrade or starting fresh, we’ll walk you through the options and help you design a solar + storage system that works for your lifestyle. Give us a call, send us an email or fill out our enquiry form to request more info.
📞 01458 834 936
📧 info@sunlit-solar.co.uk
🌐 www.sunlit-solar.co.uk
