If you’ve lived in Basingstoke or anywhere in Hampshire for more than five minutes, you’ll know that sunshine isn’t exactly guaranteed.
So, when homeowners start looking into solar panels and battery storage, the same question comes up every time:
“What happens when it’s cloudy or winter rolls in? Does the battery still work?”
Let’s clear the fog (literally and figuratively).
The short answer is: yes, your battery still works — even when the weather’s gloomy.
The longer answer depends on how your solar system and battery are set up, and how much power you use.
Batteries don’t need sunshine — they need electricity
It’s easy to assume that because batteries store solar energy, they only work when the sun’s shining. But that’s not how it works.
Your battery doesn’t care where the electricity comes from — it just stores whatever energy is available.
So on bright summer days, your battery will fill up with excess solar power.
On cloudy days or in winter, when your panels produce less, it can still:
- Store whatever solar energy your panels do generate, and
- Charge using cheaper, off-peak electricity from the grid (if your system allows it).
That means your battery remains useful all year round — even when the sunshine’s scarce.
How much solar power do you get in winter?
Here in Basingstoke, the difference between summer and winter generation is noticeable but not disastrous.
In June, a typical 4kW solar system might produce around 400–500 kWh of electricity. In December, it might be closer to 100–150 kWh.
Yes, that’s less — but it’s still plenty of energy to store and use efficiently, especially if your home’s well set up for it.
Even a dull Hampshire day provides enough daylight for modern solar panels to generate electricity — it’s daylight, not direct sunlight, that does the work.
Batteries actually shine in winter evenings
While your panels generate less in winter, your battery becomes even more valuable — because that’s when you use more energy.
Think about it:
- The days are shorter
- The heating’s on
- The lights come on earlier
- Everyone’s home in the evening using appliances
That’s exactly when your battery steps in — releasing stored energy to power your home instead of pulling expensive electricity from the grid.
So even if it charges more slowly in winter, it’s still doing its main job: cutting your evening energy costs.
What about cloudy days?
Cloud cover reduces solar output, but it doesn’t stop it.
Modern solar panels are surprisingly good at capturing diffuse light. Even on the greyest Basingstoke afternoon, your system will still be quietly generating — maybe not enough to fill the battery completely, but enough to make a meaningful contribution.
And remember: your system can be programmed to top up the battery overnight using off-peak electricity. That way, you always start the day with stored energy ready to go — whatever the weather’s doing.
A quick example
One of our customers in Chineham has a 10kWh battery and a 4.2kW solar system. In summer, their battery charges entirely from solar by mid-morning.
In winter, the panels might only half-fill the battery during the day — but the system automatically tops it up overnight using cheap-rate power from their supplier’s “time-of-use” tariff.
Result? Their battery’s always full, their evening usage is still covered, and their bills are significantly lower year-round.
That’s the beauty of pairing smart battery storage with solar — you’re not relying on the weather; you’re managing your energy.
The key is setup and design
To get the best results through the seasons, your system needs to be designed around your home’s habits and your solar generation.
At GU Solutions, we tailor every installation for our customers across Basingstoke, Hook, and Tadley — so the system works efficiently all year, not just on sunny days.
We’ll help you:
- Choose the right battery size for your energy use
- Set up smart charging for winter months
- Configure your system to store off-peak power automatically
- Monitor everything easily through your app
No guesswork. Just smart, reliable energy — whatever the weather’s doing.
The bottom line
Yes — your battery still works on cloudy days and through the winter.
It may charge more slowly from solar, but it still stores energy, still saves money, and still gives you control over when and how you use power.
With a properly designed system, you’ll benefit all year long — rain, shine, or snow.
Ready to make your energy work in all seasons?
If you live in Basingstoke, Hook, Tadley, or the wider Hampshire area, the team at GU Solutions can help you design a battery and solar setup that performs reliably all year round.
Call 01256 473326 or book your free home energy survey today.
We’ll show you exactly how your system can keep saving — even when the sun’s hiding behind the clouds.
