Battery storage installers have unique operational needs that generic field service tools don't address. We compare the software options available, from spreadsheets and solar-specific tools to purpose-built clean tech platforms.
Jamie Duncan
Battery storage is one of the fastest-growing segments in clean energy, but the software market has not kept up. Most battery installers are forced to choose between tools designed for solar, tools designed for generic field service, or spreadsheets. None of these were built with battery-specific workflows in mind.
The best job management software for battery installers handles multi-product configurations (different battery capacities, hybrid inverters, solar+storage bundles), compliance requirements (DNO applications in the UK, interconnection and permitting in the US), and end-to-end project tracking from quote to commissioning. Very few platforms are purpose-built for this. Most battery installers end up using solar-specific tools like Scoop Solar, generic field service platforms like Jobber, or heavily customised CRMs like Salesforce. Purpose-built clean tech platforms like Payaca are emerging to fill the gap.
Battery installers face operational complexity that neither solar-only tools nor generic field service platforms were designed to handle.
A typical battery installation involves multiple interdependent product choices. Battery capacity (5kWh, 10kWh, 13.5kWh), inverter type (hybrid vs AC-coupled), and whether the system is standalone or paired with solar PV all affect pricing, design, and compliance requirements. Quoting needs to reflect these combinations accurately, and customers often want to compare options side by side.
This is fundamentally different from quoting a boiler replacement or a straightforward solar array.
In the UK, battery installations above certain thresholds require DNO notification or application under G98 (up to 16A per phase) or G99 (above 16A per phase). MCS certification documentation is required for installations that claim government incentives. These are non-negotiable regulatory steps, and getting them wrong causes delays.
In the US, compliance is fragmented. Permitting requirements vary by Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Interconnection applications differ by utility. Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) documentation needs to be accurate for customers to claim their incentives. There is no single national standard.
Battery storage is rarely installed in isolation. Most battery projects involve solar PV as well, and increasingly EV charging. A system that only handles one technology forces installers to manage separate workflows for what is really a single project.
The convergence trend
Battery storage is increasingly bundled with solar PV installations. In the UK, the Solar Energy UK market report found that over 60% of residential solar installations now include battery storage. In the US, similar trends are emerging as battery costs fall and grid resilience becomes a stronger selling point. Software that treats these as separate workflows creates unnecessary friction.
There is no dominant software category for battery installers. Most businesses fall into one of these approaches.
Many battery installers, particularly those doing fewer than 15-20 installations per month, run their operations on spreadsheets, email, and WhatsApp. This works at low volumes but creates problems as the business grows: lost quotes, missed compliance steps, no visibility into project status, and difficulty onboarding new team members.
The typical breaking point is around 10-15 active projects. Beyond that, keeping track of which jobs need DNO applications, which customers are awaiting quotes, and which installations are ready for commissioning becomes unmanageable without a system.
Tools like Scoop Solar and SunBase were built primarily for solar PV. They handle solar design, proposals, and some project management. Battery storage is available as an add-on in some cases, but the workflow was designed around solar as the primary product.
Strengths: Good solar design and proposal tools. Some handle permitting workflows.
Limitations: Battery configuration options may be limited. Multi-technology quoting (solar + battery + EV charger on one proposal) is often clunky or unsupported. UK compliance features (DNO applications, MCS documentation) are typically absent since these tools are US-focused.
Jobber, ServiceTitan, and similar platforms serve plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and other field service businesses. They handle scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and basic CRM functions well.
Strengths: Proven scheduling and dispatch. Good mobile apps for field teams. Strong invoicing and payment collection.
Limitations: No understanding of battery configurations, inverter compatibility, or multi-technology proposals. No compliance automation (DNO, MCS, permitting). Quoting is designed for simple service jobs, not complex multi-product installations with customer-selectable options.
Salesforce and HubSpot are powerful platforms, but they require significant customisation to work for battery installers. Building out quoting workflows, compliance tracking, and project management from scratch takes months and often requires a consultant.
Strengths: Highly customisable. Strong reporting and analytics. Large ecosystems of integrations.
Limitations: Expensive when you factor in setup time and ongoing customisation. Low team adoption is common because the tool does not match the actual workflow. No out-of-the-box understanding of clean energy installations.
The hidden cost of customisation
Several battery installers we have spoken to invested three to six months configuring Salesforce or HubSpot before abandoning the project. The platform was capable, but the gap between a generic CRM and a working battery installation workflow was too large to bridge without ongoing consultant support. The total cost often exceeded what a purpose-built platform would have cost over several years.
A smaller category of platforms are built specifically for clean energy installation businesses. Payaca falls into this group, handling the full workflow from lead through quoting, project management, compliance, and payment for solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger installations.
Strengths: Multi-technology quoting with configurable product options. Project tracking built around installation workflows. DNO application automation via ENA Connect (UK). Compliance documentation for MCS and regulatory requirements.
Limitations: Smaller platform compared to Salesforce or ServiceTitan. Design tool integrations are focused on solar (EasyPV, OpenSolar) rather than standalone battery design. Grant tracking is managed through custom fields and project workflows rather than a dedicated grants module.
| Capability | Spreadsheets | Solar tools (Scoop, SunBase) | Field service (Jobber, ServiceTitan) | Generic CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot) | Purpose-built (Payaca) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery+solar quoting | Manual | Partial | No | Custom build | Yes |
| Multi-option proposals | No | Some | No | Custom build | Yes |
| DNO applications (UK) | Manual | No | No | No | Yes (ENA Connect) |
| Permit tracking (US) | Manual | Some | No | Custom build | Via project workflows |
| MCS documentation | Manual | No | No | No | Yes |
| Project pipeline | Basic | Some | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling & dispatch | No | Limited | Yes | Via add-ons | Yes |
| Payments & invoicing | No | Limited | Yes | Via add-ons | Yes |
| Mobile app for field teams | No | Limited | Yes | Via add-ons | Yes |
| Setup time | None | Days | Days | Months | Days |
No single platform is perfect. The right choice depends on your business size, the technologies you install, and your market.
Rather than recommending a single tool, here are the capabilities that matter most for battery installation businesses.
If you install battery storage alongside solar PV, your quoting tool needs to handle both on a single proposal. Customers should be able to see and select options: a 5kWh battery vs a 10kWh battery, with or without additional solar panels, with pricing that updates automatically.
A system that forces you to create separate quotes for each technology creates confusion for customers and extra work for your team.
Compliance is not optional, and it should not be a separate process from your main project workflow.
In the UK, look for DNO application automation. Submitting G98 and G99 applications manually through the ENA Connect portal is time-consuming. Software that automates this process and tracks application status saves significant admin time and reduces errors.
In the US, look for flexible project tracking that can accommodate varying AHJ requirements. Since permitting and interconnection differ by jurisdiction, rigid compliance workflows are less useful than adaptable project stages with customisable checklists.
Battery installations involve multiple stages: site survey, design, quoting, customer acceptance, compliance applications, procurement, installation, commissioning, and handover. You need visibility across all of these, not just the sales pipeline or just the scheduling.
An operations manager should be able to see, at any point, how many jobs are awaiting DNO approval, how many are scheduled for installation next week, and how many are pending final payment.
The tool that works at 5 installations per month needs to work at 50. This means structured data, not free-text fields. It means automated reminders and workflow triggers, not manual follow-ups. It means reporting that gives you operational visibility without pulling data into a separate spreadsheet.
The right time is before your current approach starts causing problems, not after. Common signals:
For most battery installers, the tipping point is around 10-15 active projects. Below that, spreadsheets are manageable. Above that, the operational risk of missed steps and lost information outweighs the cost of software.
Start before you need it
Implementing software during a quiet period is far easier than trying to migrate while your team is stretched. If you are growing steadily, invest in systems before you hit the breaking point. The transition is smoother and your team is more likely to adopt the new tool.
The honest answer is that the software market for battery installers is immature. There is no single tool that does everything perfectly for this specific niche. Solar-focused tools are closest but treat battery as secondary. Generic tools are capable but require significant setup. Purpose-built clean tech platforms like Payaca offer the best fit for multi-technology installers but are still evolving.
What is clear is that spreadsheets and manual processes do not scale. If you are growing a battery installation business, the question is not whether to invest in software, but which approach gives you the best foundation for the next stage of growth.
Evaluate options based on your specific workflow. If you are a pure battery installer, generic field service with good project management may suffice. If you are doing combined solar+battery+EV work, a platform built for multi-technology clean energy is worth serious consideration. And if you are already locked into a generic CRM that is not working, the cost of switching is almost certainly lower than the ongoing cost of fighting a tool that was not built for your industry.
Related reading: Why generic CRMs hurt renewables businesses | Automated DNO commissioning applications | Battery installer solutions
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