What should a battery installation cost?
Jason Hawthorne, CEO at ESME
Rates checked October 2026 · 5 min read · Last updated 22 October 2026
In short
In late 2026 a 5kWh battery usually costs about £2,000 to £4,600 installed, and a 10kWh to 13.5kWh battery about £4,500 to £8,000. That works out at roughly £400 to £700 per usable kWh. There is no VAT on batteries until 31 March 2027.
For your house
What should a battery cost at your house?
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Key facts
5kWh battery
About £2,000 to £4,600 installed
10kWh to 13.5kWh battery
About £4,500 to £8,000 installed
Tesla Powerwall 3
About £8,000 to £10,000 installed
Per usable kWh
About £400 to £700
VAT
None until 31 March 2027, then 5%
What do batteries cost?
5kWh
Typical cost installed
£2,000 to £4,000
Source
Installer price guide, August 2026
5kWh
Typical cost installed
About £4,600
Source
Energy Saving Trust
10kWh to 13.5kWh
Typical cost installed
£4,500 to £8,000
Source
Installer price guide, August 2026
Tesla Powerwall 3, 13.5kWh
Typical cost installed
£8,000 to £10,000
Source
Installer price guide, August 2026
Supplier offer, added to solar
Typical cost installed
From £1,680
Source
Which?, Scottish Power
Prices vary with the brand, the inverter and the house. Use them to sense check a quote, not as a fixed price.
What pushes the price up?
- An inverter. A battery added on its own needs its own inverter. Fitted with solar, one hybrid inverter can do both.
- Backup power. Keeping the house running in a power cut needs extra equipment.
- Electrical work. An old fuse board or a long cable run from the meter adds cost.
- Network approval. Larger systems need approval under G99, which can take time.
- Where it goes. Outside, in a garage or in a loft, each has its own fitting needs.
Should I buy before VAT returns?
Batteries have had no VAT since February 2024, including batteries without solar. That relief runs to 31 March 2027, then VAT returns at 5%. On a £6,000 battery that is £300. It is worth knowing, but not a reason to buy a battery that does not pay back. See will a battery pay back.
Questions people also ask
Is a battery cheaper with solar?
Often, because the installer visits once and one hybrid inverter can run both.
How much does a 10kWh battery cost?
About £4,500 to £8,000 installed in late 2026, depending on the brand and the house.
Do batteries need servicing?
Very little. Keep the software up to date and check the warranty terms for anything required.
Sources
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Figures are for Great Britain and were checked on the date above. Prices change, so check the latest before you decide. This is general information, not financial advice.
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