Chinese battery giant BYD is to launch a residential battery system for the UK market and host a series of training events for installers later this month.

The Mini ES battery has been designed with a 20-year life expectancy through a built-in battery management system, and the product will be initially launched in 3kW and 6kW sizes.

The product launch builds on BYD’s presence in the UK, which was dealt a significant boost late last year when it was awarded a £2 billion contract to supply its battery technology for London’s future fleet of electric buses. The contract was one of many signed during Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit to the UK.

BYD assembles the Mini ES in full in the factory, resulting in a plug-and-play system which can be installed simply.

BYD’s UK office will hold stock of the systems which will be offered through five distributors in the country and BYD is to also offer a number of installer education sessions later this month.

The original tranche of training dates were sold out shortly after last month’s EcoBuild exhibition, but three new dates have now been added. They will be held at BYD ES HQ on 14 and 21 April and in Bristol on 28 April.