How to add battery storage to your solar setup without starting from scratch

Already invested in solar?

Then you’re well on your way to energy independence.

But without a battery, your solar system is still tethered to the grid–and that means you could be missing out on some serious savings.

Adding battery storage to your solar setup gives you more than just a source of backup power. It helps you store excess solar energy for later use, protects your home during blackouts, and optimizes your energy use around pricing schemes. It’s also an effective solution to offset the zero and negative tariffs.

In this guide, we’ll break down how you can add a solar energy battery storage system to your existing setup, what type of system works best, and how a complete home energy ecosystem can help to future-proof your home.

How to integrate energy storage into your PV solar system

Adding a battery to a solar system isn't just a case of bolting on more hardware to your setup. It puts you a step closer to building a smarter energy ecosystem that gives back.

It all starts with understanding the key components of an energy storage system.

But first, let’s cover the basics.

What is an energy storage system?

An energy storage system captures the excess energy produced by your solar panels and stores it for later use.

Instead of sending surplus energy back to the grid (which is often sold at a low buy-back rate), you can use it when electricity rates peak or when the sun goes down.

What components would you find in a typical solar and storage system

A complete solar energy storage system is made up of several interconnected components. Each one plays a key role in generating, storing, and maintaining your home’s energy. Let’s take Hoymiles PV + storage system as an example:

Having a full setup allows you to build a smart, flexible system that’s completely tailored to your specific needs.

Want to get a closer look at the differences between inverters?

Check out our blog on battery vs hybrid inverters.

DC coupling solution (hybrid inverter solution)

In a DC-coupled system, your solar panels and battery share a single inverter, typically a hybrid inverter.

This handles both the power conversion as well as storage management.

Why choose a DC coupling solution?

• It offers a higher efficiency since there’s only one DC to AC conversion

• You get better energy flow between your panels and your battery

• It’s ideal for new installations or major system upgrades

Hoymiles’ HIT Series Hybrid Inverter is a perfect example of an efficient DC coupling solution. With four MPPTs and up to max. 98.5% efficiency, it maximizes solar harvest even with rooftop shading or multiple panel orientations.

Plus, its Time-of-Use and Peak Shaving modes help cut your electricity bills by automatically prioritizing stored energy during peak hours.

DC coupling solution is perfect for anyone starting from scratch to integrate solar and energy storage in one go. If you already have a solar system using microinverters and want to add battery storage, AC-coupled solution can help you complete a system retrofit.

AC coupling solution

In an AC-coupled system, your battery storage connects to your home’s AC electrical system, independently of the existing solar inverter.

This setup uses either a separate battery/AC-coupled inverter, or in the case of Hoymiles HIT, it also supports AC coupling.

Why choose an AC coupling solution?

• Easy retrofit for homes with an existing solar system

• There’s no need to replace your current microinverter or string inverter

• It allows for the flexible placement of batteries and components

Hoymiles microinverters are fully compatible with AC-coupled systems. This makes them a great choice if you’re looking to expand your system gradually without doing a complete overhaul of your current setup.

A side-by-side comparison: DC vs AC coupling

Here’s a breakdown of how both options stack up against each other.

Need more help choosing the best solar battery system for your home?

Check out our blog here.

How does an energy storage system work?

At the very heart of your system lies the hybrid inverter.

Think of it as the brain that keeps everything ticking along and running smoothly.

During the day, your solar panels generate electricity. Your inverter then directs this power to your home and appliances, with any surplus energy being stored in your battery.

When the sun sets, or when your panels aren't producing enough power, the inverter pulls energy from the battery – not the grid.

This means that you pay lower bills and have greater energy independence.

Hoymiles' hybrid inverters also include smart Energy Management System (EMS) modes like:

• Self-consumption mode: Prioritizes using the solar energy your system produces before drawing any power from the grid, helping you maximize your use of free, renewable energy.

• Economy mode: Minimizes the reliance on grid electricity by optimizing battery use based on real-time energy demand and production.

• Peak shaving mode: Reduces costly demand charges by supplying stored battery energy during periods of high electricity usage.

• Time-of-use mode: Sets as many as eight time spans based on local electricity tariffsso that the system will store energy during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower and discharge that energy during peak times to cut your energy bills.

Stay powered during outages: Seamless on-grid and off-grid energy solutions

When the grid goes down, you want to be safe in the knowledge that your power won’t follow suit.

And thanks to declining battery costs, which have fallen by almost 90% between 2013 and 2023, integrating storage solutions with solar systems has become far more accessible for homeowners.

With Hoymiles' HIT hybrid inverters, switching to off-grid power takes less than 10 milliseconds – fast enough that you won’t even notice.

Why does having off-grid power matter?

When you have access to off-grid power, you can:

• Maintain power for your essentials (or your whole home if your energy system can supply sufficient power) during outages

• Prevent food spoilage, system crashes, or safety issuesdue to unexpected power outages

• Get real peace of mind during storms, heat waves, or grid maintenance

The HIT series supports up to 200% overload for 10 seconds, making it perfect for households with high startup surge appliances like fridges and air conditioners. In other words, HIT helps to realize whole-home backup in one go – without the need to do retrofit to your home circuit.

Hoymiles is built for flexibility

Alongside seamless grid-to-backup switching, the HIT series is designed for versatility – giving homeowners the flexibility to build a future-ready energy system that’s perfectly tailored to their needs.

• Whole-home backup: Power everything from lights to large appliances without any rewiring

• Low-voltage safety: Safe operation with DC voltage below 60V

• High compatibility: Connect things like heat pumps, EV chargers, and smart loads for a complete setup

The HIT series fully adapts to your needs and environment with IP66 protection, -25°C to +65°C temperature range, and support for high altitudes up to 4,000m.

Why choose the HIT hybrid inverter?

Examples of solar energy around the world

Europe

With rising energy prices and aggressive net metering changes across the EU, adding battery storage has become far more popular.

In fact, Europe installed 17.2 GWh of new battery energy storage systems, marking a 94% increase compared to 2022.

A solar system with storage can help homeowners:

• Reduce grid reliance

• Offset dynamic TOU pricing

• Quality for national battery subsidies.
  

Southeast Asia

In Southeast Asia, where sunlight is abundant and grid stability can vary, adding a battery to an existing solar system offers:

• Protection against power outages

• Smarter use of solar in high-demand seasons

• Long-term cost savings, especially post-FIT programs

Real-world example: HIT beta testing in Vietnam

In Hanoi, a villa community is part of a live pilot project testing Hoymiles’ HIT-20L-G3 hybrid inverter with four LB-5D-G2 batteries.

The system replaces a legacy string inverter setup and is being evaluated for efficiency, reliability, and nighttime performance.

Early signs show more stable energy supply, better energy management, and less waste – offering homeowners a smarter, future-ready alternative.

Want to learn more about how Hoymiles is powering next-generation homes in Vietnam?

Read the full case study here.