Solar Battery Storage & EV Charger Installed in Croydon (CR0)
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Back in 2021, the Sunbright Energy team installed a large 27-panel solar PV system for a homeowner in Croydon (CR0).
Fast forward to 2026 and the homeowner wanted to take the next step.
While the solar panels were performing well, a significant amount of electricity generated during the day was still being exported to the grid. The homeowner was also looking to future-proof the property with home EV charging and gain more control over rising energy costs.
To achieve this, we returned to the property to install a new Fox ESS hybrid inverter, four Fox ESS EP12 batteries, and a Fox L-Series EV charger.
The result is a far more flexible and energy-independent home energy system that allows the homeowner to store excess solar energy, take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity rates, and charge their electric vehicle from home.
System Size
Solar Generation
Total Savings
Project Overview
Upgrade Specifications
Location: Croydon, CR0
Original Installation: 2021
Existing Solar Array: 27 Solar Panels
Upgrade Year: 2026
Battery Storage: 4 × Fox ESS EP12 Batteries
Total Battery Capacity: 46.1kWh
Inverter: Fox ESS Hybrid Inverter
EV Charger: Fox L-Series Smart EV Charger
This project demonstrates how an existing solar PV system can evolve over time as a homeowner’s energy requirements change.
Why Upgrade an Existing Solar System?
One of the biggest misconceptions about solar panels is that once they’re installed, the system is fixed forever.
In reality, many solar installations can be upgraded years later to take advantage of new technologies and changing energy habits.
Battery storage, smart energy management, and EV charging have become significantly more popular over the last few years, particularly as electricity prices have increased and more homeowners have switched to electric vehicles.
This Croydon project is a great example of how an existing solar installation can be enhanced to unlock even greater savings and energy independence.
The Challenge for this Croydon Project
This Croydon homeowner already had a substantial solar array generating clean electricity throughout the day.
However, without battery storage, there was one major limitation.
Any excess solar energy generated during daylight hours that wasn’t immediately used within the property had to be exported to the grid.
While export payments can provide some return, they are often significantly lower than the cost of buying electricity back from the grid later in the evening.
As a result:
- More electricity was being exported than necessary
- The homeowner still needed to purchase electricity after sunset
- There was no ability to store cheap overnight electricity
- There was no dedicated EV charging solution
The homeowner wanted to keep more of their own solar energy and reduce their dependence on the grid.
The Solution
To address these challenges, we designed an upgrade centred around battery storage, smart energy management, and EV charging.
46.1kWh of Fox ESS Battery Storage
The most significant part of the upgrade was the addition of four Fox ESS EP12 batteries.
Each EP12 battery provides 11.52kWh of storage, giving the property a combined storage capacity of 46.1kWh.
This is a substantial amount of battery storage for a residential property and provides the flexibility to store large amounts of excess solar generation throughout the day.
The batteries now allow the homeowner to:
- Store excess solar energy rather than exporting it immediately
- Use stored electricity during the evening and overnight
- Reduce reliance on imported electricity
- Take advantage of cheaper off-peak energy tariffs
The EP12 batteries were chosen because of their strong performance, modular design, and ability to scale as energy demands change over time.
New Fox ESS Hybrid Inverter
To integrate the battery storage system, we also installed a new Fox ESS hybrid inverter.
The inverter acts as the brains of the system, managing the flow of energy between:
- Solar panels
- Battery storage
- Household consumption
- The electricity grid
This enables the system to intelligently decide when to store energy, when to use battery power, and when to import electricity from the grid.
The hybrid inverter also provides detailed monitoring and smart energy management features through the Fox Cloud platform.
Fox L-Series EV Charger
As part of the upgrade, the homeowner also wanted to prepare for electric vehicle charging.
We installed a Fox L-Series EV charger, which integrates neatly with the wider Fox ESS ecosystem.
This gives the homeowner a convenient way to charge their vehicle at home while benefiting from:
- Smart charging schedules
- Off-peak tariff charging
- Future integration with solar generation and battery storage
With the new setup, the homeowner can use solar energy and stored battery power to help charge their vehicle, reducing running costs even further.
How Battery Storage Changes the Economics of Solar
For many homeowners, battery storage is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Solar panels generate the most electricity during the middle of the day, but household demand often peaks in the morning and evening.
Without batteries, excess daytime generation is exported.
With batteries, that energy can be stored and used later.
In practical terms, this means the homeowner can now use far more of the electricity their solar panels generate.
Instead of selling electricity to the grid during the day and buying it back again later, they can keep more of that energy for themselves.
This increased self-consumption is often where the biggest financial gains come from.
Taking Advantage of Off-Peak Tariffs
Battery storage isn’t only useful for storing solar energy.
It also opens the door to energy tariff optimisation.
Many modern tariffs offer significantly cheaper electricity rates overnight.
With 46.1kWh of battery storage available, the homeowner can charge the batteries during low-cost periods and use that electricity throughout the day when prices are higher.
This strategy can dramatically reduce energy costs, particularly for homes with:
- Electric vehicles
- Higher electricity consumption
- Heat pumps or electric heating systems
It provides another layer of savings beyond solar generation alone.
If you’d like an estimate as to how much solar panels, battery storage and off-peak tariffs could reduce your bills by, simply enter your postcode below to get an instant savings estimate.
Why We Chose Fox ESS
For this project, we selected Fox ESS products throughout the upgrade.
The Fox ESS ecosystem allows the inverter, batteries, monitoring platform, and EV charger to work together seamlessly.
Benefits include:
- Unified system monitoring
- Smart energy management
- Scalable battery storage
- Reliable performance
- Future expansion potential
At Sunbright Energy, Fox ESS remains one of our preferred battery and inverter manufacturers because of the combination of performance, flexibility, and value they offer homeowners.
As the only Fox ESS Approved Partner in Kent, we’re able to design and install systems that make the most of the Fox ecosystem while tailoring the solution to each property’s needs.
Thinking About Upgrading Your Existing Solar System?
Many homeowners installed solar panels before battery storage became mainstream.
Others have added electric vehicles or seen their energy usage increase since their original installation.
If that sounds familiar, it may be worth reviewing your current setup.
Battery storage, hybrid inverters, and EV charging can often be added to existing solar systems, helping you maximise self-consumption and reduce reliance on the grid.
Every property is different, but as this Croydon project demonstrates, a well-planned upgrade can significantly improve the performance and flexibility of an existing solar installation.
If you already have solar panels and want to explore whether battery storage or EV charging could help you get more from your system, we’d be happy to help.
Simply click the button below to get in touch with our expert team today!
Thinking about solar panels FOR YOUR HOME?
Get in contact with Sunbright Energy today
Meet The Owner
Oliver Crouch – Director
“I’m Oliver, the Director of Sunbright Energy. We’re a local, family-run business in the solar industry, which I’ve proudly led since its founding in 2014.
As a family business, we value personal connections and community. We’re driven to treat every customer with the respect and attention they deserve. Don’t hesitate to start your solar journey today – get in touch with Sunbright Energy for a service you can trust.”
Can battery storage be added to an existing solar system?
In many cases, yes. Existing solar installations can often be upgraded with battery storage and hybrid inverter technology to improve self-consumption and reduce grid reliance.
Is it worth upgrading an older solar installation?
For many homeowners, adding battery storage can significantly increase the amount of solar energy used within the home, improving savings and energy independence. This installation in Croydon is a perfect example of a successful solar system upgrade.
How much battery storage do I need?
The right battery size depends on your electricity usage, solar generation, and goals. Larger systems, such as the 46.1kWh setup featured in this project in Croydon, are often suitable for higher-usage households.
Can I charge my electric vehicle using solar panels?
Yes. By combining solar panels, battery storage, and a smart EV charger, homeowners can use renewable energy to help charge their electric vehicles.
What are the benefits of a hybrid inverter?
A hybrid inverter allows solar panels and batteries to work together efficiently, providing smart energy management, battery charging, and monitoring capabilities.
