# Compare batteries for a business site Kilowatts Academy # Compare batteries for a business site A step-by-step guide for offices and other small commercial sites looking at battery storage. ## Watch the walkthrough [Download the video walkthrough](https://kilowatts.uk/media/academy/2026-11-07/videos/battery-compare-business.mp4) [Read the English captions](/media/academy/2026-11-07/videos/battery-compare-business.vtt) The **Commercial battery storage ROI calculator** asks a few questions about your site and its bill, then ranks the batteries in the Kilowatts shop that suit offices and small commercial sites. The numbers below are **example rates** and example figures used for this guide, not recommendations. Use the figures on your own business bill. As the page says, results are a guide, not a quote. --- ## Step 1: Now a business site Go to **Batteries** on kilowatts.uk. Under **Home, business or industrial**, select **Open the business calculator**. [![Step 1: choose the business calculator](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-01.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-01.png)Step 1: choose the business calculator## Step 2: Solar: Yes The calculator asks one question at a time. First: **Do you have solar panels, or are you installing them with the battery?** This example chooses **Yes**. [![Step 2: solar question](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-02.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-02.png)Step 2: solar question## Step 3: Solar generation Enter your solar system's **average daily generation** in kWh/day. You'll find it on the site's inverter or generation meter. This example uses **140**. Select **Continue**. [![Step 3: solar generation](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-03.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-03.png)Step 3: solar generation## Step 4: Site use Enter the site's **total annual electricity consumption** in kWh/year from the business electricity bill. This example uses **25000**. [![Step 4: annual use](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-04.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-04.png)Step 4: annual useThen choose how much of the site's electricity is used **outside opening hours**. This example uses **A normal mix**. [![Step 4: use outside opening hours](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-05.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-05.png)Step 4: use outside opening hours## Step 5: Example day rate Enter the **day unit rate** from the site's latest bill in p/kWh. The example rate is **28**. Your answers so far appear as chips above each question. [![Step 5: day rate](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-06.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-06.png)Step 5: day rate## Step 6: Example off-peak rate Enter the **off-peak or night rate**. The example rate is **7**. If the site has one rate, enter the same number as the day rate. [![Step 6: off-peak rate](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-07.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-07.png)Step 6: off-peak rate## Step 7: Example export rate Enter what you are **paid per kWh for electricity you export**. The example rate is **15**. Enter 0 if you are not paid for export. [![Step 7: export rate](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-08.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-08.png)Step 7: export rate## Step 8: Backup gateway: No **Do you want a backup gateway?** A gateway runs chosen circuits, or the whole site, from the battery during a power cut, and it has to be the same brand as the battery. This example chooses **No**. [![Step 8: backup gateway](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-09.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-09.png)Step 8: backup gateway## Step 9: Site results The results show **Best batteries for this site**, from the models in the Kilowatts shop, with a summary of the site. Below that are a **10-year cumulative return** chart, a **Top 5 comparison** chart, and buttons to rank by **Best ROI**, **Fastest Payback**, **Best Fit**, **Lowest Cost** or **Longest Life**. Select **New comparison** to start again. [![Step 9: site results](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-10.png)](/media/academy/2026-11-07/images/battery-compare-business-10.png)Step 9: site results> The figures are calculator estimates based on the figures you entered. They are not advice or a quote. --- **Also see:** [Home battery calculator](/academy/customer/battery-compare-home/) ยท [Industrial: tell us about your project](/academy/customer/battery-compare-industrial/) Questions? Call **0800 009 6058**.