In a typical home with solar panels, part or all of your energy usage may be met by solar generation while the sun is shining. Any excess solar energy is exported to the grid. Shortfalls, most often experienced in the early morning, evening, overnight or in cloudy weather, are met by importing electricity from the grid.

This is where a solar-battery system can help to save money.

When you add a battery to an existing rooftop solar system, or install rooftop solar panels and a battery together in a new system, the excess solar energy not used at home during the day can be used to charge the battery.

There are various energy storage products available that have a wide range of functionality and performance. Some batteries can be charged from grid electricity during off peak times (often overnight) on a time-of-use tariff when electricity is cheaper than during the day.

The energy stored in a solar-battery system is used in the home whenever there is energy usage above the level produced by the solar panels. This battery energy can power household appliances before any energy is required to be imported from the grid.

Once the stored energy is depleted, grid power (or an alternative generator) will supply household energy requirements until solar generation is available the next day.