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“My battery is often at 5% in the mornings despite the forced charge set time 2-5am.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A U.K. homeowner says a battery system installed alongside their solar setup in March still is not charging from the grid — and that a closer look revealed the inverter may not even match what was listed in the contract.
The complaint highlights a frustrating risk for customers who expect a new clean energy upgrade to start saving money right away.
In a Reddit thread in r/OctopusEnergy, the original poster described charging problems that began almost immediately after Octopus installed the system in March. They said the battery first failed to charge from either solar or the grid, and although a follow-up visit got charging from the panels working again, grid charging never did.
Even after switching from EDF to an Octopus tariff, a process the OP said took about three months, the problem did not go away. They said they were told grid charging would start once the tariff change was complete.
“My battery is often at 5% in the mornings despite the forced charge set time 2-5am,” the OP wrote.
Battery storage is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save on energy costs, and move closer to going off-grid. If you’re exploring those benefits, you can check out EnergySage for information on home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
EnergySage has also teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions. And for people who want a smaller backup option, Pila is another company offering excellent battery backup choices, with plug-and-play batteries priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost.
The OP said there may also be a mismatch between the signed agreement and the equipment installed. According to the post, the contract called for a Fox ESS battery and inverter, but “the inverter they have installed is a different type and does not show up on the Fox app.”
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Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn’t that worth an email or two?
“This is patent nonsense… Ultimately your contract is with Octopus and it’s time to make a formal complaint,” one commenter replied.
For shoppers still comparing solar-plus-storage setups, EnergySage also offers free tools that let you curate competitive bids from local installers without them getting your contact information unless you choose to move ahead.
Consumers can verify exactly what equipment is being installed and compare model numbers against the contract before signing off on completed work. Keeping screenshots of app behavior, charge settings, and installer communications can also make it easier to document issues.
If the installer promised a specific inverter, battery, or feature such as off-peak grid charging, take it up through the installer’s formal complaint process.
Home battery and solar problems can also turn into billing issues, installer questions, and contract disputes.
• A homeowner with Tesla solar tried to decode a strange energy bill after tech changes.
• A new homeowner dodged predatory solar calls while searching for a legitimate installer.
• After Titan Solar Power, a Nevada homeowner blamed an allegedly deceptive solar company for severe damage.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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