Electric Heating with Solar: Panel Heaters and Storage

The appeal

With electricity generated for free from your roof, why not use it to heat your home? It sounds logical — but the seasonal mismatch between solar generation and heating demand makes direct electric heating from solar alone impractical for most UK homes.

Types of electric heating

Direct panel heaters

Wall-mounted electric radiators that convert electricity to heat at a 1:1 ratio. Every kWh of electricity produces 1kWh of heat.

Pros: Simple, cheap to install, instant heat, no plumbing Cons: Expensive to run at grid rates (~24p/kWh), no thermal storage

Storage heaters

Contain ceramic bricks that heat up during cheap-rate electricity periods and release heat gradually during the day.

Pros: Use cheap overnight electricity, release heat when needed Cons: Imprecise control, heat when you don't need it (warm afternoons), cold by evening, bulky

Solar integration: Modern smart storage heaters can be charged with solar surplus during the day (if you have a diverter or smart controller). This replaces the traditional overnight charging with midday solar charging — potentially useful in spring/autumn when you have surplus solar and still need some heating.

Infrared heating panels

Thin, wall or ceiling-mounted panels that emit infrared radiation, which heats objects and people directly rather than the air.

Pros: Very responsive, comfortable radiant heat, can be powered zone by zone, lower running costs than convective heaters Cons: Higher purchase cost per panel (£200–£500 each), need line-of-sight to occupants for best effect, still 1:1 electricity to heat conversion

Infrared panels are the most promising direct electric heating option for solar homes because they're responsive (you can turn them on/off quickly to match solar availability) and efficient in terms of comfort per kWh.

Heat pumps

A heat pump doesn't convert electricity to heat directly — it moves heat from outside to inside, using electricity to drive the process. For every 1kWh of electricity, a heat pump delivers 2.5–4kWh of heat (the coefficient of performance, or COP).

Pros: 3–4x more efficient than direct electric, works with wet central heating (radiators/UFH), eligible for BUS grant (£7,500), best-in-class for electrified heating Cons: High upfront cost (£8,000–£15,000 after grant), requires good insulation, may need larger radiators, noise from outdoor unit

If you're serious about heating your home with solar electricity, a heat pump is the only technology that makes the maths work in winter.

The seasonal mismatch problem

Let's quantify why direct electric heating from solar alone doesn't work:

In January, your solar surplus covers about 5% of your heating need. In July, you have loads of solar but need no heating. The overlap (spring and autumn) is the only period where solar can meaningfully contribute to heating.

A solar diverter sending surplus to electric heaters might provide 200–500 kWh of heating per year — useful but nowhere near enough to replace a gas boiler or heat pump.

What actually works in the UK

Gas boiler + solar PV (current standard)

For most UK homes in 2026, the practical approach is:

• Gas boiler provides heating and hot water
• Solar panels provide electricity
• A solar diverter offsets some gas hot water use
• The electrical savings pay for themselves regardless of heating

Heat pump + solar PV (best long-term option)

For new builds, renovations, or boiler replacement:

• Air source heat pump provides heating and hot water
• Solar panels provide electricity
• Battery stores surplus for heat pump operation
• Smart tariff charges the battery cheaply for winter heat pump use

This combination can reduce total energy costs (heating + electricity) by 50–70% compared to a gas boiler on a flat electricity tariff.

Electric heating + solar PV + battery (niche viable)

For well-insulated homes without gas connections:

• Infrared panels or modern storage heaters provide heating
• Solar panels and battery reduce grid electricity consumption
• Smart tariff charges the battery overnight at ~5.5p/kWh (Octopus Go) for winter heating
• Annual heating costs: £800–£1,500 (vs £500–£800 with a heat pump)

This works but is more expensive than a heat pump in the long run. It's mainly relevant for properties where a heat pump isn't feasible (no space for outdoor unit, listed buildings, etc.).

If you're looking to maximise solar self-consumption for heating, these products help:

myenergi Eddi Solar Diverter

£185

max power w

3000

modes

power_divert,timed_boost

outputs

2

priority

configurable

View on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

GivEnergy All-in-One 9.5kWh Battery

£5,500

capacity kwh

9.5

usable capacity kwh

8.6

chemistry

LFP

cycles

6000

View on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

The bottom line

Solar electricity can contribute to home heating, but it cannot replace a proper heating system in the UK climate. The seasonal mismatch is fundamental and no amount of panels or batteries can fully overcome it at reasonable cost.

The best strategy: use solar for electricity, a heat pump for heating (if feasible), and a battery to bridge the two. If a heat pump isn't an option, keep your gas boiler and use solar to reduce your electricity bills — that's where the clear financial returns are.

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