Working with Fogstar to Get the Price Right

Battery storage has become a much more common conversation in the last couple of years. More Devon homeowners are asking about it when they enquire about solar, and more existing solar owners are coming back to us wanting to add storage to a system they had installed a few years ago. The technology has improved, the prices have come down, and the payback case is stronger than it has ever been.

One of the questions we get asked most often is whether a good battery system has to cost a lot. The honest answer is no, and this post explains how we approach that, including why we work with Fogstar as our lithium battery supply partner.

Why lithium storage still makes sense for most homes

Lithium iron phosphate, usually called LiFePO4, is the chemistry behind most quality home battery storage systems sold in the UK today. It has earned its position for good reasons. LiFePO4 batteries have a long cycle life, good thermal stability compared to other lithium types, and they hold their capacity well over many years of daily use. A properly specified LiFePO4 system installed in a Devon home should still be performing reliably a decade from now.

They work well alongside solar panels, storing surplus generation during the day so you have power available in the evenings. They can also be charged from the grid overnight on a cheap time-of-use tariff, which has become increasingly attractive for households on something like Octopus Agile. And unlike some other storage options, LiFePO4 units are compact enough to fit neatly in a garage, utility room, or plant room without taking over the space.

For most Devon homeowners, a lithium system is the most practical and cost-effective way into battery storage right now. It is proven, it is well-supported, and the range of available products has grown considerably over the past few years.

What Fogstar brings to the table

Fogstar is a UK-based battery company that has been operating since 2016. They started out supplying cylindrical lithium cells to hobbyists and trade customers, and over time they have built out a full range of solar and home energy storage products under their Fogstar Energy brand.

Their solar storage range uses LiFePO4 technology throughout. The Fogstar Energy lineup runs from a 5.12 kWh server rack battery up to outdoor cabinet systems capable of storing 40 kWh or more, with a range of pre-assembled and modular options in between. The systems are designed to work with a wide range of inverter protocols, so they can be integrated cleanly with most common hybrid inverter setups rather than requiring everything to come from the same manufacturer.

Fogstar have built a reputation for honest pricing and reliable UK-based customer support. Their approach to the trade and installer market is practical: they want the systems they sell to be installed correctly and to work well, because that is how they get repeat business from installers. That attitude aligns with how we approach our own work.

Getting the package right for your budget

One of the most common mistakes in battery storage is oversizing the system relative to what a household actually needs. A 10 kWh battery sounds impressive, but if your solar array only generates enough surplus to fill 5 kWh on a typical summer day, and your evening draw is modest, you are paying for capacity you will never use. Equally, buying the smallest available unit to keep costs down can leave you frustrated when it runs out before the end of the evening in winter.

Our job is to design a system that fits your actual situation. We look at your solar generation data if you have an existing system, your consumption patterns, whether you have or plan to have an EV or heat pump, and what your main motivation is, whether that is maximising self-consumption, cutting your grid bills, having backup power, or some combination of all three.

Once we understand that, we can put together a package using Fogstar’s range that fits both the technical requirements and the budget. Their product lineup is wide enough that we usually have a good answer for customers at different price points, from a single entry-level rack battery all the way up to a high-capacity system for a larger property with bigger energy demands.

What to expect from a Fogstar Energy installation

The Fogstar Energy systems we install are pre-assembled units that go in cleanly and commission quickly. Fogstar provide UK-based technical support and their products come with manufacturer warranties, so if anything does go wrong after the installation you have a proper support path rather than dealing with a distant overseas manufacturer.

Installation typically takes one day for a straightforward retrofit onto an existing solar and inverter setup. New build installations or more complex systems with larger capacity take a little longer. We carry out a full site survey before any work begins to confirm compatibility, agree the installation location, and discuss any practical considerations specific to your property.

A note on lithium versus other storage options

We also install sodium battery systems through our partnership with Eleven Energy, which use a different chemistry with some distinct advantages, particularly around cold temperature performance and sustainability credentials. For some customers, that is the right choice. For others, a lithium system from Fogstar is the more straightforward or cost-effective answer.

We are not wedded to one technology. Our approach is to recommend whatever suits your home, your priorities, and your budget. If you are weighing up the options, we can walk you through the comparison when we visit for a survey.

Book a free survey

If you are thinking about adding battery storage to an existing solar system, or want to include storage as part of a new installation, the best starting point is a conversation. We will look at your setup, talk through the options, and give you a clear, honest quote with no obligation.

Call us on 01803 615160 or get in touch via the contact page to arrange your free survey. You can also read more about Fogstar and our other technology partners on our partners page.