A home battery is becoming an increasingly important part of residential solar systems, which have grown very popular in Croatia in recent years.

Many households have recognized the benefits of producing their own electricity and lowering their energy bills.

However, the rules of the game are changing, and this is precisely why batteries are now playing an increasingly important role.

Until recently, the net metering model allowed surplus electricity generated during the day to be used later. As this model is gradually being phased out and replaced with less favorable surplus compensation, it is becoming clear that solar energy is only truly profitable when it is consumed within the household itself.

Growth of Home Battery Installations

The growing adoption of home battery systems across Europe clearly reflects this shift. Data on total installed energy storage capacity shows strong growth in residential batteries. According to S&P Global Energy for the first half of 2025, the European home battery market is expanding rapidly, with Fox ESS achieving the largest share of newly installed storage capacity measured in megawatt-hours. These figures demonstrate the rising demand for energy storage in households.

More and more European homes are installing batteries to increase their self-consumption of solar power, reduce dependence on the grid, and adapt to changes in surplus energy compensation. As a result, total installed battery capacity has become one of the key indicators of the direction in which the European energy market is moving.

Why a Home Battery Makes Sense

A home battery makes it possible to store excess solar energy produced during the day, use that energy in the evening and at night, power the home during grid outages when a suitable backup system is installed, increase self-consumption, reduce reliance on the electricity grid, and improve the long-term financial performance of a solar system.

In today’s changing market and regulatory environment, batteries are becoming a central element of modern home energy systems. Instead of sending surplus energy back to the grid at low prices, more homeowners are choosing to keep that energy and use it when they need it most.

How Big Should a Home Battery Be?

One of the most common questions solar homeowners ask is how large a battery their household needs. Because this depends on electricity consumption, system size, and usage patterns, we have provided an orientation guide in a separate article titled “How Big Should a Home Battery Be?” to help explain the role of batteries and how to approach choosing the right one.

Solar Power in the New Market Conditions

Solar power remains an excellent investment. However, as surplus compensation models change and electricity prices continue to rise, homeowners now have a greater opportunity to increase their savings by storing their own energy.

A home battery is no longer a luxury but a logical next step toward higher savings, energy independence, and long-term household security.