Question 1

How much does commercial battery storage cost in Portsmouth?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, commercial lithium battery storage in the UK typically costs around £200–£450 per kWh installed for cabinet-scale systems, dropping to roughly £140–£240 per kWh at containerised scale (100 kWh+). A 50–100 kWh system for a Portsmouth trade or light-industrial unit commonly falls in the £20,000–£40,000 range. Tom prices every job from your actual metered demand rather than a generic figure.

Question 2

Do I need a G99 application for a commercial battery in Portsmouth?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly. Portsmouth is in the SSEN Southern licence area, and any commercial battery that exports or connects above the small G98 limit (16 A per phase) needs a G99 application to SSEN before it can be energised. There's a G99 Fast Track for eligible storage schemes; timescales range from a few weeks to 5–11 weeks or more if a capacity study is needed. Tom handles the whole application for you.

Question 3

What tax relief can my business claim on a battery?

Accepted Answer

Battery storage and solar PV are special-rate pool plant, so you use the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) to write off up to £1,000,000 of spend in year one, or the 50% First-Year Allowance for anything above the AIA cap. They do NOT qualify for 100% full expensing (that's main-rate plant only), and the 130% super-deduction ended in 2023. Confirm your specific position with your accountant.

Question 4

Is there 0% VAT on a commercial battery?

Accepted Answer

The 0% VAT rate (running until 31 March 2027, then 5%) applies to solar and battery installs in residential accommodation. A standalone commercial battery installation is normally standard-rated at 20% VAT — but if your business is VAT-registered, that VAT is usually recoverable, so it doesn't change your net cost. Check the treatment for your premises with your accountant.

Question 5

Who installs the battery — do you use subcontractors?

Accepted Answer

No. Solent Solar is owner-led: one person, every install. Tom is MCS-certified, HIES-registered and an OZEV-approved EV installer, and he personally surveys, designs, installs, commissions and handles the SSEN G99 application for every Portsmouth job. Book a free, no-obligation site survey to get a system sized to your real demand.

Ready to speak to Tom?

Services

Brands

Southampton

Hampshire

Battery Storage

EV Chargers

Resources

Company

Get a Free Quote from Tom