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Fox ESS Installer in Teesside, County Durham & North Yorkshire

MCS-certified Fox ESS installers covering Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire, from compact starter systems to large, expandable battery stacks.

Fox ESS is our most popular battery and inverter brand, and it’s easy to see why. Its modular batteries and hybrid inverters offer strong performance at a competitive price, with room to add more storage as your needs grow. ALPS Electrical is an MCS-certified, NAPIT-approved installer based in Yarm. We design and fit Fox ESS systems for homes and businesses across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire, and every system is specified around how you actually use energy.

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Quick answer

How much does a Fox ESS battery installation cost in the UK?
A Fox ESS EP12 battery added to existing solar costs around £7,000 installed. Combined with new solar, a 4kW system is around £13,000, a 6kW system around £15,500, and twin EP12 batteries with 8kW of solar around £21,000. Prices include the hybrid inverter, commissioning and the Northern Powergrid application, and home solar and battery installations are zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027. For a full breakdown, read our Fox ESS battery cost guide.

Why Choose Fox ESS?

Fox ESS makes hybrid inverters, modular batteries and all-in-one energy systems designed for UK homes and businesses. It has grown quickly to become one of the best-selling energy storage brands in the country. Its systems suit homeowners who want dependable battery storage without paying premium-brand prices.

The main advantage is flexibility. Fox ESS batteries are modular, so you choose the capacity that fits your home today and add more later if your energy use changes, for example after buying an electric car or installing a heat pump. The batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which is known for safety, stability and a long cycle life.

The Fox ESS Range

Fox ESS is a range rather than a single product, so two quotes for “a Fox battery” can describe very different systems. We’ll explain exactly what we’re recommending and why.

Batteries
Fox ESS offers three modular battery ranges. The EP series (EP6 and EP12) are slim, wall- or floor-mounted batteries with built-in heating and fire suppression, rated IP65 for indoor or outdoor installation, and scalable to 46kWh. The EQ series is a floor-standing stack built from smaller modules, ideal for adding capacity in small steps. The CQ7 is the high-capacity option, scaling up to 98kWh for large homes and businesses.

Already have an older Fox ESS “Cube”? New Fox stacks now use the EQ range. Read our Fox ESS Cube review for what that means for your system.

Hybrid inverters
A hybrid inverter manages your solar panels, battery and grid connection in one unit. Fox ESS makes single-phase models for most homes and three-phase models for larger properties and commercial sites.

All-in-one systems
These combine the inverter and battery in a single, neat unit, which is ideal where space is tight or a tidy finish matters.

Adding a Fox ESS Battery to Existing Solar

Already have solar panels? A Fox ESS battery can usually be added to your existing system. Depending on your current setup, we’ll either connect a battery to a compatible hybrid inverter or use an AC-coupled solution that works alongside your existing inverter. Instead of exporting your spare daytime solar for a few pence, you store it and use it in the evening, when electricity costs the most.

Customer Review: Fox ESS Solar System by ALPS Electrical | Real Installation Experience

Hear from our lovely customer Conrad in Middlesbrough, who had a Fox ESS solar system installed by ALPS Electrical Ltd in the summer of 2024.

In this interview, Conrad talks about:

  • Why he chose a Fox ESS solar + battery system
  • His experience using the system day-to-day
  • The savings he’s seen so far
  • And why he decided to trust ALPS Electrical with his installation

It’s always great to hear directly from our customers about their renewable-energy journeys — especially as more homeowners across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire switch to solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging.

Watch the video to see the full installation.

ALPS Electrical - Fox ESS Installer
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Fox ESS hybrid inverter and EP batteries installed on an outside wall in Durham by Alps Electrical

Why Many of Our Customers Choose Fox ESS

Most of our customers across Teesside choose Fox ESS because it combines great value for money with top-tier technology and the flexibility to add more capacity as their needs grow. We often pair it with Aiko solar panels, which come in a range of sizes so we can make the most of your roof space.

Fox ESS offers a range of hybrid inverter sizes and batteries to suit almost every home. For outdoor installations, we usually recommend the EP range, which has built-in heating and a cooling fan to keep it running efficiently in all weathers. The EQ range is a fantastic stackable system that’s easy to add to later. It comes in a wide choice of module sizes, so we can match your system closely to your needs, and we generally recommend it for indoor locations such as a garage or utility room.

Fox ESS has also introduced a backup gateway that keeps your whole home powered during a power cut.

We don’t just install Fox ESS, we use it ourselves. Our director, Andy, has a Fox ESS system at his own home.

In this video Andy talks about his own system, looking at 12 months of real-world data to show exactly how it’s performed since installation — including how much energy the system generated, stored, and how much he saved on his energy bills compared to the previous year without solar.

Our Fox ESS case studies

Kirklevington, Stockton-On-Tees: Fox ESS Cube 12kWh battery-only installation

This customer in Kirklevington came to us wanting solar panels and a battery to bring down their very high energy bills. At the survey, it quickly became clear that solar wasn’t an option because of the shape of their roof. As they already had an electric car, we recommended a battery-only system paired with a good EV tariff.

We installed a Fox ESS Cube 12kWh battery. It now charges every night alongside their car on cheap overnight electricity, then powers their home through the day when prices are higher.

ALPS Electrical - Fox ESS Installer

Stockton-on-Tees: Fox ESS Cube 29kWh battery added to existing FIT solar

This customer in Stockton-on-Tees already had solar panels on the original Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme. After installing an air source heat pump and switching to electric vehicles, their electricity usage, and their bills, had risen significantly.

We installed 29kWh of Fox ESS Cube battery storage, along with their EV chargers. With electric cars, they could switch to a cheap overnight EV tariff, so the batteries now fill up at night on low-cost electricity and power their heat pump and home through the day.

Their FIT payments were unaffected. Because their FIT export payments are based on an estimate rather than what they actually send to the grid, they keep receiving the same payments while storing and using more of their own solar energy. Watch the video to see how it all works together.

Getting More from Smart Tariffs

A Fox ESS battery really pays off when it’s paired with a smart energy tariff. Your system can charge from the grid during cheap overnight periods, power your home through the expensive peak, and export stored energy when export rates are highest. Fox ESS systems work with popular tariffs from providers such as Octopus Energy, and we’ll set your system up to match your tariff from day one.

Backup Power

Many Fox ESS systems can keep essential circuits running during a power cut, with a switchover time of under 10 milliseconds on current Fox hybrid inverters. For whole-home backup with automatic switchover, a Fox EPS box is added to the installation. We’ll talk you through the options during your survey so you know exactly what will stay powered if the grid goes down.

Fox ESS Installation Process

Step 1
Survey
One of our experienced engineers visits your property to review your energy use, electrical supply and the best location for your equipment.
Step 2
System Design
We specify the right inverter, battery capacity and configuration for your home or business, with a clear, itemised quote.
Step 3
Approvals
We handle the DNO paperwork with Northern Powergrid on your behalf.
Step 4
Installation
Our qualified team installs and commissions your system to MCS and BS 7671 standards, working cleanly and with minimal disruption.
Step 5
Handover
We set up the Fox ESS app so you can monitor your energy, show you how everything works, and provide your MCS certificate and warranty documents.
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Frequently Asked Questions

1Is Fox ESS a good battery brand?

Yes. Fox ESS is one of the UK’s most popular inverter and battery brands, and its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are known for safety and long cycle life. It offers strong performance at a lower price than premium brands, and its modular design means you can add more storage later.

2How much does a Fox ESS battery cost?

A Fox ESS EP12 battery added to existing solar costs from £7,000 installed, including the hybrid inverter, commissioning, DNO notification and 0% VAT. The price depends on battery capacity, your existing setup and whether you want whole-home backup, so we’ll give you a clear, itemised quote after your survey.

3Can I add a Fox ESS battery to my existing solar panels?

Yes. Depending on your current system, we’ll either connect the battery to a compatible Fox ESS hybrid inverter or use an AC-coupled setup that works alongside your existing inverter. We’ll check which option suits your system during the survey.

4What size battery do I need?

It depends on how much electricity you use and when you use it. A typical UK home uses around 8–12kWh a day. A single EP12 (11.52kWh) covers most evenings and overnight use, while homes with an electric car or heat pump often benefit from more. We size every system around your actual usage.

5Does Fox ESS work with Octopus Energy tariffs?

Yes. Fox ESS batteries can charge on cheap overnight rates, power your home through the evening peak, and export stored energy when export rates are highest. Fox ESS systems are compatible with Octopus smart tariffs, including Intelligent Octopus Flux, which can automate charging and exporting for you.

6Will a Fox ESS battery keep my power on during a power cut?

Many Fox ESS systems can keep essential circuits running during a power cut. For automatic whole-home backup, extra equipment is added to the installation. We’ll explain the options during your survey so you know exactly what will stay powered.

7Can I add more batteries later?

Yes. Fox ESS batteries are modular, so you can start with the capacity you need now and add more modules later, for example if you buy an electric car or install a heat pump. We’ll make sure your inverter and setup leave room to expand.

8Can a Fox ESS battery be installed outside?

Many Fox ESS batteries are weatherproof and suitable for outdoor installation, and some models include a built-in heating element to protect performance in cold weather. We’ll recommend the best location during your survey, whether that’s a garage, utility room or outside wall.

9Do I pay VAT on a Fox ESS battery?

Eligible residential battery installations currently benefit from 0% VAT until 31 March 2027, after which it’s due to rise to 5%. This applies whether you’re adding a battery to existing solar or installing solar and storage together. Commercial installations are charged at the standard rate.

10How does Fox ESS compare with a Tesla Powerwall?

We install both, so we can give you honest advice. Fox ESS usually costs less for the same capacity and lets you expand in smaller steps. The Tesla Powerwall 3 offers a more polished app and strong whole-home backup. The right choice depends on your budget, your home and what matters most to you. Read our Fox ESS vs Tesla Powerwall 3 blog post for a full side-by-side comparison.

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Why Homeowners Choose ALPS Electrical | Solar, Battery & EV Experts in the North East

 

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We film our installations and publish them on YouTube. We believe it offers customers a chance to see how we work and meet the team, and gives full transparency.

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Alps Electrical installation vans in Yarm, Teesside

Why Choose ALPS Electrical For Your Fox ESS Installation?

We're a family-run business based in Yarm, with more than 500 five-star reviews across Google and Checkatrade. Homeowners and businesses across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire trust us with their Fox ESS systems for the same reasons they trust us with everything else: quality workmanship, transparent pricing and a team that treats your property with respect.

Every installation is carried out by our own qualified electricians, never subcontracted. We film many of our Fox ESS installations for our YouTube channel, including a 29kWh battery storage and solar upgrade, so you can see exactly how we work before you book. And we're honest: we'll size your system around your actual energy use rather than selling you more battery than you need. If Fox ESS isn't the right fit for your home, we'll tell you and recommend something that is.

Whether you're adding a Fox ESS battery to your existing solar panels, installing a new solar and battery system from scratch, or expanding the storage you already have, we handle everything from the design and the DNO application to commissioning and setting up your app. We'll also help you get the most from time-of-use tariffs such as Octopus Flux, so your battery charges when electricity is cheap and powers your home when it isn't.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation Fox ESS quote.

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  • MCS certified and NAPIT approved, with all work carried out to current wiring regulations
  • System designed around your energy use, not a one-size-fits-all package
  • G98/G99 applications to Northern Powergrid handled on your behalf
  • Retrofit batteries for existing solar systems, as well as full new installs
  • Fox app set up at handover, so you can monitor generation, storage and usage
  • 0% VAT on residential solar and battery installations
  • Our own electricians on every job, never subcontracted
  • Fixed written price, with no surprise extras
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Andy Pemberton (Co-Founder & Lead Electrician) & Bella Pemberton (Co-Founder & Operations Director)