Buyers could get a clearer picture of how much energy a home battery can supply under a proposed U.K. certification standard. The proposal could also require manufacturers to strengthen digital security and allow production-site inspections.

Here's what to know

There is no confirmed implementation date for the proposal, which remains in development, according to ESS News. U.K. certification body MCS has been seeking feedback on a product standard covering batteries for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

Currently, homeowners seeking solar export tariffs must have used a certified installer and certified solar modules. However, to date, batteries have lacked that two-part framework. While MCS introduced battery installation standards in 2020, the batteries themselves have no equivalent standard.

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More background

For connected batteries, the proposed cybersecurity protections could include eliminating default passwords, providing secure software updates, and identifying and fixing vulnerabilities.

The requirements could also cover protection for data exchanged among batteries, inverters, and connected apps or cloud services, according to ESS News. Integrated battery-and-inverter systems with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other radio connectivity would face additional information-technology requirements.

Under the certification process, manufacturers could be required to disclose product specs such as capacity ratings, power ratings for charging and discharging, efficiency over a full energy cycle, and expected operating lifespan. When normal operation limits the energy available, manufacturers would have to disclose how much capacity users can actually access.

For renters and others looking for battery backup without a whole-home system, Pila offers plug-and-play batteries priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost.

What's being done?

The MCS has continued to accept input from a technical working group, manufacturers, and other stakeholders as the proposal takes shape. Currently, the proposed minimum safety standards would cover both integrated battery-and-inverter systems and DC-coupled battery packs.

The existing solar certification framework offers one possible model. It requires product testing, factory production controls, consistency with tested samples, and ongoing surveillance.

Many battery products already undergo factory testing and third-party audits, the Energy Storage Association noted. A participant in the working group, the association told ESS News it "thoroughly supports measures to ensure battery products are held to the highest safety standards."

MCS plans to allow certified installers a transition period until enough certified battery products have become available to meet demand. The deadline for consultation responses is 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 10.

"With more battery storage systems installed through the scheme than ever before, the market has now matured to a point where it is the right time to introduce a dedicated product standard," Ted Woodward, MCS technical manager for electric, told ESS News.

Where can I learn more?

For homeowners considering a battery, certification and installation rules can narrow the available options. The following stories cover Australian rebate restrictions, certified commissioning, U.K. installation safety, grid requirements, and plug-in battery limits.

• Seven battery models in Australia faced rebate suspension over compliance issues.

• A homeowner planning a battery add-on learned only certified installers can commission it.

• A U.K. installer rejected a battery location with wood near a window.

• A U.K. homeowner considering battery-only storage was warned that G98/G99 rules still apply.

• A plug-in home battery reached the U.K., while plug-in rules left renters waiting.

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