A U.K. homeowner says a battery system installed alongside their solar setup in March still is not charging from the grid — and that a closer look revealed the inverter may not even match what was listed in the contract.
The complaint highlights a frustrating risk for customers who expect a new clean energy upgrade to start saving money right away.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread in r/OctopusEnergy, the original poster described charging problems that began almost immediately after Octopus installed the system in March. They said the battery first failed to charge from either solar or the grid, and although a follow-up visit got charging from the panels working again, grid charging never did.
Even after switching from EDF to an Octopus tariff, a process the OP said took about three months, the problem did not go away. They said they were told grid charging would start once the tariff change was complete.
"My battery is often at 5% in the mornings despite the forced charge set time 2-5am," the OP wrote.
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More background
The OP said there may also be a mismatch between the signed agreement and the equipment installed. According to the post, the contract called for a Fox ESS battery and inverter, but "the inverter they have installed is a different type and does not show up on the Fox app."
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"This is patent nonsense… Ultimately your contract is with Octopus and it's time to make a formal complaint," one commenter replied.
For shoppers still comparing solar-plus-storage setups, EnergySage also offers free tools that let you curate competitive bids from local installers without them getting your contact information unless you choose to move ahead.
What can be done?
Consumers can verify exactly what equipment is being installed and compare model numbers against the contract before signing off on completed work. Keeping screenshots of app behavior, charge settings, and installer communications can also make it easier to document issues.
If the installer promised a specific inverter, battery, or feature such as off-peak grid charging, take it up through the installer's formal complaint process.
Where can I learn more?
Home battery and solar problems can also turn into billing issues, installer questions, and contract disputes.
• A homeowner with Tesla solar tried to decode a strange energy bill after tech changes.
• A new homeowner dodged predatory solar calls while searching for a legitimate installer.
• After Titan Solar Power, a Nevada homeowner blamed an allegedly deceptive solar company for severe damage.
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