How We Choose Solar & Battery Technology
- Lauren Cole
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Choosing a solar panel and battery system isn't simply a case of picking the biggest battery or the most powerful panels.
Every property is different. Your roof, energy usage, available space, budget and plans for the future all affect what makes a good solar energy system.
At Think Free Solar, we believe solar should be simple, not one-size-fits-all. That's why we design each system around the individual customer rather than taking a standard package and applying it to every property.
Why the right solar and battery technology matters
A solar installation is a long-term investment, so the equipment you choose needs to work well with the way you use energy.
For example, a household that is usually empty during the day may have very different requirements from a home where someone works from home. A business with significant daytime electricity demand will have different priorities again.
The right system can therefore depend on factors including:
Your property's electricity consumption
The size and orientation of your roof
Available roof space
Your typical daytime and evening energy use
Whether you want battery storage
Whether you have, or plan to install, an electric vehicle
Your budget
Your plans for future energy use
The way you want to use your solar generation
That's why our approach starts with understanding you and your property, rather than starting with a particular product.
How we design a solar system
We start with a consultation to understand your requirements and what you want your system to achieve.
From there, our team can assess your property and design a system around its specific characteristics.
The aim isn't simply to install as many panels or as much battery capacity as possible. It's to create a system that makes sense for your circumstances.
Our solar installations are bespoke, and we also provide system upgrades where an existing installation needs to be adapted as your energy requirements change. For example, you may want to incorporate EV charging into an existing system.
Choosing solar panels
Solar panels are only one part of a complete energy system.
When selecting panels, we consider the requirements of the property and the system as a whole, including the available roof area and the amount of generation the installation is designed to provide.
The best solution isn't necessarily the panel with the highest headline specification. What matters is how the panels work as part of the complete system and whether the proposed installation is appropriate for the property.
Choosing a solar inverter
The inverter is an important part of a solar PV system because it manages the electricity generated by the panels and converts it into usable electricity for your property.
The inverter also needs to work appropriately with the rest of the system, particularly where battery storage or other smart-energy technologies are involved.
Rather than specifying equipment in isolation, we consider how the different components will work together as one system.
Choosing battery storage
Battery storage can allow you to store electricity generated by your solar panels and use it at another time.
But the right battery capacity isn't the same for every household.
A battery that is too small may not provide the storage capacity you need, while simply installing the largest battery available isn't necessarily the most appropriate or cost-effective solution.
We consider factors such as your electricity consumption, solar generation and how you use energy throughout the day when designing a system.
What about EV charging?
Electric vehicles can change the way a household uses electricity.
If you already have an EV, or you're planning to get one, it's worth considering this when designing your solar and battery system rather than treating the charger as an entirely separate project.
We can also help customers optimise existing systems when their energy requirements change, including when EV charging is added.
Why we don't use exactly the same equipment for every customer
You may see different manufacturers solar and battery technology used across our project portfolio.
That's because our portfolio represents real installations carried out for individual customers, and the equipment used on a project depends on the requirements and circumstances of that installation.
Solar technology also continues to develop. Equipment that was appropriate for a project several years ago isn't necessarily the equipment we would recommend for a new installation today.
We therefore don't believe in claiming that one manufacturer or one combination of products is automatically the right answer for everyone.
Instead, we assess the requirements of each installation and select appropriate technology as part of the overall system design.
What makes a good solar installation?
Good solar isn't just about the products on the roof.
A well-designed installation should take into account:
The property
Roof characteristics, available space and the practical requirements of the installation.
Your energy use
How and when you use electricity affects how the system should be designed.
Your future plans
EV charging, increased electricity consumption or additional battery capacity may all influence the design.
The complete system
Panels, inverter, battery storage and other technologies need to work together effectively.
Installation quality
The equipment is only part of the investment. Correct system design, installation and commissioning are equally important.
Why choose Think Free Solar?
We keep our approach simple.
Think Free Solar is based in Keighley and provides custom-designed solar systems for homes and businesses. We focus on honest advice, outstanding service and finding the right solution for the individual customer.
We are MCS, NAPIT and RECC certified and hold CHAS Elite status. We are also an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner, meaning we have been vetted by Octopus Energy for our expertise and customer service.
Whether you're considering solar for your home, business or agricultural property, we'll help you understand your options and design a system around your requirements.
Thinking about solar?
If you're considering solar panels, battery storage or an upgrade to an existing system, get in touch with the Think Free Solar team for a free consultation.
0800 994 9678
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