Solar Battery Installation

Solar batteries are primarily used to store the extra solar power you generate during the day, allowing you to use that power at night and avoid drawing from the grid—saving you money on electricity costs. While some people set aside part of their battery for backup in case of a grid outage, most prefer to use the battery’s full capacity daily. By discharging it fully each night and recharging it the next day with solar energy, they maximize savings. Setting a reserve percentage for backup is an option, but most homeowners get the most value by using and recharging their battery each day.

The biggest benefits of a solar battery are cost savings, grid independence, and reliability. When you pair a battery with your solar system, you can store the extra power you produce during the day and use it at night, helping you avoid buying electricity from the grid, especially during expensive peak hours. This means lower utility bills and protection against future rate increases. With a backup mode, a solar battery also gives you reliable power during grid outages. You can keep essential items like lights, refrigerators, outlets, and even your garage door powered when you need them most. Choosing a battery with backup mode ensures that you have energy for critical needs, offering peace of mind alongside financial savings.

Solar batteries store the excess energy your solar panels produce during the day, which your home can use at night or on cloudy days, reducing your reliance on the grid. The battery works alongside the grid, supplying as much power as possible to offset your home’s energy needs. For larger electrical loads, like an AC unit or electric vehicle, the grid can step in if needed. During times when export rates are high—like in August and September in California—the battery can also export energy back to the grid, allowing you to earn more from your stored power. This flexibility gives you the most value and savings from your solar energy.

When selecting a solar battery, there are a few important factors to consider:

• Capacity: The battery should have enough storage to meet your energy needs. A good rule of thumb is to have a battery capacity at least twice the size of your solar system—so if you have a 5 kW system, aim for a 10 kWh battery.
• Power Output: This is the amount of power the battery can deliver at one time, which is typically determined by the inverter. The power output affects what appliances or systems your battery can handle.
• Lifespan and Warranty: Check how many cycles the battery can perform and the warranty period. These indicate how long your battery will last and the coverage you have.
• Compatibility: Make sure the battery type—either AC-coupled or DC-coupled—matches your solar system setup.
• Backup Options: Decide if you need full home backup, partial backup, or a self-consumption-only battery. Full and partial backups can power essential appliances during outages, while self-consumption batteries maximize daily energy savings.

By weighing these factors and considering what’s most important to you, you can find the best battery for your needs.

The cost of a solar battery typically ranges from $7,000 to $15,000, including installation. The exact price depends on factors like battery size, brand, installation requirements, and any additional electrical work needed. While it may seem like a large investment, a solar battery can save money over time by reducing how much power you buy from the grid—especially valuable with California’s high electricity rates. Many homeowners pair a battery with their solar system to achieve nearly 100% grid independence. For those in areas with frequent power outages, choosing a backup mode ensures power during blackouts. Currently, the return on investment for a solar and battery system in California is often between 5 and 8 years, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Some of the best solar batteries on the market today include the Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase, SolarEdge Energy Bank, Franklin battery, NeoVolta battery, and Q-Cells battery. Each offers unique advantages in terms of capacity, compatibility, and cost. When selecting a battery, consider your budget and energy goals. The Tesla Powerwall is known for its dedicated backup capabilities, while models like SolarEdge, Q-Cells, and Enphase provide flexible options for both self-consumption and backup. The Franklin and NeoVolta batteries, both AC-coupled options, work particularly well as retrofit solutions for existing solar systems. Choosing the right battery involves weighing these features to find the best fit for your home’s needs and energy goals.

A high-quality solar battery typically lasts between 10 to 15 years. With recent technology advancements, most batteries now come with warranties of 10 to 12 years, covering potential issues and offering peace of mind. If something does go wrong, it’s often a replaceable part, which can extend the battery’s life even further. Technology continues to improve, making solar batteries more efficient and durable. Today, many homeowners find that their solar and battery system pays for itself before the battery warranty even expires, making it a smart investment with long-term benefits.

There’s virtually no maintenance required for solar batteries—they’re designed to run independently. With our system, you have the option to check performance through the monitoring app, which shows everything you need to know: consumption, charge and discharge rates, and battery levels from 5% to 100%. If you’re near the battery, you can also glance at the LEDs to ensure everything is running smoothly. But rest assured, we handle all monitoring for you. If anything unusual happens with your system, our team will usually catch it before you do, so you can enjoy worry-free energy storage.

The number of solar batteries you need depends on your home’s energy consumption and your goals for using the batteries. If your aim is to save as much money as possible by reducing grid usage, we recommend a 2:1 battery capacity to solar system size ratio. This means if you have a 5 kW solar system, you’ll want at least 10 kWh of battery capacity, and a 10 kW system would require at least 20 kWh of battery capacity. Following this 2:1 ratio helps ensure your battery can store enough energy to maximize savings and reduce your grid dependence.

When your solar batteries are full, any extra power your system generates is sent to the grid, where you receive a credit through the net metering program. These credits are typically valued at the wholesale rate, usually between $0.04 and $0.08 per kWh, so while you don’t receive the full retail value, you still gain some financial benefit. Properly sizing your battery is key to maximizing your energy use—ensuring it’s large enough to store the power you generate during the day and provide sufficient energy through the night. This way, you can make the most of your solar production each day.