Few questions are asked more often during planning: Should I plan my PV system with storage right away? There is no blanket answer. Whether a battery storage system is worthwhile depends primarily on your consumption profile. This page provides the decision-making logic – when storage makes sense and when it does not. Costs and sizing are covered in detail on the photovoltaic system with storage page.
Key points at a glance
The key points of this section can be summarised compactly:
- A battery storage system increases self-consumption by shifting solar power from the day to the evening.
- It is particularly worthwhile in cases of high evening and night consumption, a heat pump, an electric car, or the desire for greater autonomy.
- With high daytime consumption, a system may also be worthwhile without storage.
- “A battery storage system is always worth it” is not true – the decision is individual.
- Have both variants quoted: with and without storage.
The storage question should therefore always be based on the consumption profile, not on a blanket expectation of autonomy.
- As of 11.07.2026
How does a photovoltaic system with battery storage work?
Self-consumption describes the immediate consumption of self-produced electricity at the place of production – or its intermediate storage and later use. This is exactly where battery storage comes into play: During the day, the system often produces more than is currently needed. Instead of feeding this surplus into the grid, the battery stores it and releases it in the evening when consumption rises but the sun no longer shines. This increases the proportion of self-used electricity.
What are the benefits of a battery storage system?
A storage system mainly offers advantages when more solar power is generated during the day than is consumed directly:
- Higher self-consumption – more electricity used in-house, less fed into the grid.
- More independence from grid consumption in the evening.
- Better utilization at low feed-in tariffs paid by the grid operator.
- Basis for backup power – provided the system is designed accordingly (not automatically included).
These benefits are particularly relevant for evening consumption, low feed-in tariffs paid by the grid operator or the desire for more independence.
What are the disadvantages and limitations of a battery storage?
At the same time, a battery storage system increases the investment and must be sized appropriately:
- Higher investment – the storage increases the total costs.
- Limited benefit with high daytime consumption – those who use the electricity during the day anyway gain less.
- Sizing is crucial – an oversized battery storage unit is rarely fully utilized.
The boundaries show: a battery storage system is not a standard component, but a project-specific decision.
When is a battery storage worthwhile?
A storage system is generally sensible if your consumption does not coincide with solar production or if additional consumers are added:
- high evening and night consumption
- Heat pump
- Electric car and wallbox
- dynamic electricity tariffs
- lower feed-in tariffs paid by the grid operator
- Desire for higher self-sufficiency
The key factor is whether enough surplus solar power is generated regularly and can be used meaningfully later.
When is a battery storage system less worthwhile?
A battery storage system is mainly less sensible if a large part of the solar power is already consumed directly:
- Most of the electricity is consumed during the day anyway.
- Overall consumption is low.
- The system is small and the surplus is modest.
In these cases, it should first be checked whether a larger PV system or a storage unit that can be retrofitted later would be more sensible.
The comparison shows for which consumption profiles a storage unit is more suitable:
| storage is more sensible | Battery storage is less useful in this case |
|---|---|
| High evening/night consumption | High daily consumption |
| Heat pump, electric car | No additional demand |
| Low feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator | Good local feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator |
| Desire for energy independence | Focus on low investment |
The table does not replace a calculation but shows which consumption patterns favour or argue against a storage system.
How do battery storage, heat pump and electric car work together?
A heat pump and an electric car significantly increase electricity consumption – and thus the potential for self-consumption. In combination with a battery storage system and an energy management system, the self-produced electricity can be specifically used for heating and mobility. How the system as a whole can be designed for a single-family home can be read on the page Solar system for the single-family home. If it concerns an apartment building or an area, the communal self-consumption can additionally be increased through a Association for Self-Consumption (ZEV).
Should you retrofit a battery storage or install it directly?
Both options are possible. If the system is prepared for storage from the outset, a later retrofit is easier. Direct installation saves a second installation visit but ties up more capital immediately. Which variant suits you depends on budget, consumption and planning:
| Build directly | Retrofit later |
|---|---|
| One installation visit | Investment spread over time |
| Immediately higher self-consumption | Operational experience data available for use |
| Higher initial investment | Preparation facilitates retrofitting |
The decision depends on whether high self-consumption is desired immediately or if experience should be gathered first.
solar-guide.ch recommends: Decide on the storage system based on your consumption profile, not on general rules of thumb. Those who consume a lot in the evening and at night, or use a heat pump and an electric car, benefit more; with high daytime consumption, the situation may be different. Have both variants – with and without storage – quoted and compared.
What questions should you ask the specialist installer?
These questions should be answered specifically in the storage quote:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How large should the battery storage be? | Fit with the consumption profile |
| Is backup power worth it? | Not automatically included |
| Can I retrofit it later? | Influences today’s planning |
| How does my self-consumption develop? | Include heat pump and electric car |
This allows you to assess whether the battery size, backup power option and retrofitting capability truly match your consumption.
Conclusion
Storage increases self-consumption – whether it is worthwhile for you depends on your consumption profile. Instead of a blanket rule, looking at your daily pattern and future consumers helps. It is best to have variants with and without storage quoted and compared.
Whether a storage system is worthwhile depends heavily on consumption, roof size and feed-in remuneration. Via solar-guide.ch you can request up to three suitable specialist installers from your region and compare different battery storage solutions.
Request quotes free of charge and without obligation
Frequently asked questions and answers
When is a photovoltaic system with battery storage worthwhile?
Especially with high evening and night-time consumption, a heat pump or electric car, dynamic tariffs, low feed-in tariffs paid by the grid operator, or the desire for greater energy autonomy.
How large should a battery storage system be?
This depends on the consumption profile. An oversized battery storage system will rarely be fully utilized. The appropriate sizing is determined using actual consumption data; details can be found on the photovoltaic system with battery storage page.
Can I retrofit a battery storage system?
In many cases, yes. If the system is prepared accordingly, retrofitting is easier.
Does a battery storage system increase self-consumption?
Yes. It shifts electricity generated during the day to the evening, thereby increasing the share of self-consumed electricity.
Is a battery storage more worthwhile with a low feed-in remuneration?
Tendentially yes. The lower the feed-in remuneration for electricity fed into the grid, the more attractive it becomes to use the electricity yourself instead of feeding it in.
