Solar panels (leased) can I install batteries?

[Deleted User]

Alterations without permission just seem a really bad idea. If it will cost the leasing company money they aren't going to agree, are they?

Adding a home battery downstream of the solar array is the same as fitting an EV charge point. The EV is just a bigger battery on wheels!

Fitting additional panels on a separate string with its own inverter should not in itself breach a ‘rent of roof’ scheme. (But worth getting a solicitor to check). That said, getting export payments would be tricky as it is either FIT or SEG - not both. The lessor might see a switch to SEG as a breach of the lease.

mmmmikey

[Deleted User] said:

Alterations without permission just seem a really bad idea. If it will cost the leasing company money they aren't going to agree, are they?

Adding a home battery downstream of the solar array is the same as fitting an EV charge point. The EV is just a bigger battery on wheels!

Fitting additional panels on a separate string with its own inverter should not in itself breach a ‘rent of roof’ scheme. (But worth getting a solicitor to check). That said, getting export payments would be tricky as it is either FIT or SEG - not both. The lessor might see a switch to SEG as a breach of the lease.

I understand your point but there's a fundamental difference between a typical home battery system (with the emphasis on the word system and regardless of where it is fitted) and an EV charge point. In the context of FIT agreements, etc. a home battery system is generation equipment whereas an EV charge point (or electric toothbrush, etc.) isn't. That is, a home battery system can export to the grid whereas an EV charge point (or other battery charger) can't. So different regulations apply, and there may or may not be contractual restrictions in the lease agreement that apply to one and not the other.

The devil is in the detail - what matters is what was agreed between the homeowner and the solar installation owner (a point you have clearly emphasised in your posts and I wholeheartedly agree with). It's fair for both parties to expect the other to do what they agreed to.

The lease agreement will cover how the benefit of any solar energy generated will be shared between the parties. This could be as simple as the homeowner can use as much of the solar energy as they like (reducing their bill) and if there's any left over the solar owner gets it (as an export payment). Or it could be they made some kind of agreement restricting what the homeowner could do - we just don't know without seing the lease. Regardless of any technical interaction between any equipment the homeowner wishes to install and the solar installation, it could change how this benefit is shared. If the homeowner has agreed not to install certain types of equipment without the solar owner's agreement then it is fair game for the solar owner to hold them to that so this isn't just about the technology and type of installation.

Of course it's possible that the lease agreement may be such that it could be interpreted in different ways but without seing the lease agreement there's no way of knowing that.

Rambolicks

Sorry to resurrect this post, but has anyone had any experience with introducing an AC battery unit to their leased panels?