What is Import (Electricity)?
Electricity drawn from the national grid when your solar panels are not producing enough to meet demand.
Quick Answer
Even with solar panels, most UK homes import 30–50% of their electricity from the grid, mainly during evenings and winter months. Adding battery storage can reduce imports further by storing daytime solar generation for evening use. Time-of-use tariffs can also help by offering cheaper import rates during off-peak hours.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Import (Electricity) Explained
In the context of solar energy, 'import' refers to electricity drawn from the national grid into your home. When your solar panels produce less electricity than your home is using — such as at night, on very cloudy days, or during high-demand periods — your home automatically imports the shortfall from the grid. A smart meter records the total kWh imported, which forms the basis of your electricity bill. The goal of a well-sized solar system is to minimise imports by maximising self-consumption.
How Does Import (Electricity) Work in the UK?
Even with solar panels, most UK homes import 30–50% of their electricity from the grid, mainly during evenings and winter months. Adding battery storage can reduce imports further by storing daytime solar generation for evening use. Time-of-use tariffs can also help by offering cheaper import rates during off-peak hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I still need to import electricity with solar panels?
Yes. Most UK homes import 30–50% of their electricity even with solar panels. Batteries can reduce this, but going fully off-grid is rare and expensive in the UK.
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John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.