On 15 March 2026, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced a sweeping package of measures to accelerate the UK's transition to clean, homegrown energy. The press release made clear that the government intends to "go further and faster" — and a major pillar of that strategy is getting solar panels and battery storage into homes across the country.
What the Government Announced
The announcement covers several key areas that directly impact homeowners considering battery storage:
- £15 billion Warm Homes Plan — the largest public investment in British history to upgrade homes with technologies like solar and batteries, delivered street by street through local mayors.
- Plug-in solar panels — for the first time in the UK, portable solar panels that plug directly into a mains socket will be made available, following Germany's model where 500,000 units were installed in a single year.
- Accelerated renewables auctions — bringing forward the next Allocation Round to July 2026, following the biggest-ever offshore wind procurement in Europe.
- New homes with solar as standard — under the Future Homes Standard, all new builds will include solar panels.
As Ed Miliband stated: "Everything we are doing is about one purpose: fighting the corner of the British people by taking back control of our energy."
Why AC-Coupled Batteries Are the Smart Choice
While the government's push covers solar, insulation, and heat pumps, it's AC-coupled battery storage that represents the single biggest opportunity for existing homeowners. Here's why:
No Solar Required — But Even Better With It
AC-coupled batteries work as standalone units, but they truly shine when paired with existing solar — provided the optional smart meter (CT clamp) is fitted. With Pro Install the smart meter is included; self-install customers can add it later (electrician-fitted). With the smart meter the battery automatically detects excess solar being exported and stores it for later — saving you 25p+ per kWh compared to selling it back at 4p via the Smart Export Guarantee. Read our full guide on solar + battery savings →
Plug-In Installation — No Electrician Needed
Traditional batteries require a certified electrician to hardwire them into your consumer unit — adding £1,000–£3,000 to the cost. The plug-in home battery plugs into a standard mains socket, making it one of the most affordable and accessible battery systems available.
Retrofit-Ready
AC-coupled batteries can be added to any home, whether you already have solar, are planning to add it later, or simply want to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity rates. They're future-proof by design.
The Economy 7 Opportunity: Charge Cheap, Use Free
Here's where things get really exciting. If you switch to an Economy 7 tariff and pair it with an AC-coupled battery, you can:
- 1Charge your battery overnight at the cheap Economy 7 night rate (typically around 10p/kWh) during the 7-hour off-peak window.
- 2Discharge during the day when rates jump to around 30p/kWh, effectively replacing expensive grid electricity with the cheap energy stored in your battery.
- 3Model the saving first — results depend on the battery selected, tariff spread, charge window, household demand and losses.
The basic calculation is the number of kilowatt-hours actually shifted multiplied by the tariff spread, after charging and conversion losses. A personalised result is more useful than assuming a battery completes a full cycle every day.
What This Means for UK Homeowners
The government's energy security announcement signals a clear direction: the UK is moving towards decentralised energy generation and storage. For homeowners, this means:
- Energy prices will remain volatile — the announcement was triggered by Middle East instability. Battery storage insulates you from price shocks.
- Time-of-use tariffs are the future — as smart meters roll out and the grid gets smarter, electricity pricing will increasingly reward flexibility. A battery gives you that flexibility.
- Solar homeowners benefit most — if you already have solar panels, a plug-in battery captures your excess generation instead of exporting it for pennies. See our full solar + battery guide.
See How Much You Could Save
Use our free savings calculator to see your personalised annual savings with an AC-coupled battery and Economy 7 tariff — based on OFGEM consumption data for your usage profile.