Benefits of owning battery storage:

• Energy independence- Even if connected to the grid, the battery stores daytime solar energy for nighttime use, minimizing reliance on the utility. This reduces electricity bills and offers backup power during outages, keeping your lights on even when the neighborhoods are out.

• Protection from rising electricity costs-By storing solar energy during the day, you use your own generated power instead of buying it from the utility when rates are high. This insulates you from future price hikes and lets you potentially profit by selling excess stored energy back to the grid during peak hours.

• Improved energy monitoring- The system provides real-time data on your home's energy production and consumption, giving you greater control and transparency over your solar power usage.

Costs

• A solar-photovoltaic system with battery storage system costs approximately $25,000–$50,000, depending on the size of the battery and other dynamics. 

• For homeowners with existing solar panels who are interested in adding battery storage, the cost typically falls between $15,000 and $25,000.

How much power does battery storage store?

• The amount of power a solar battery can store is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is a unit of measurement that represents 1,000 watts for one hour. Solar batteries can range from 1 kWh to over 100 kWh of storage capacity, but the average home battery is around 10 kWh. A fully charged 10 kWh battery can power a home for about 24 hours during a power outage. However, it's important to leave a 30% charge on the battery to keep it healthy and ensure it has enough energy to start up in the morning. Solar battery can provide approximately 10 to 12 hours of backup power.       

Factors affecting battery storage: 

• Your battery storage capacity
• The output of your solar system
• Your electricity needs during an outage

What happens to solar power when batteries are full?

• If your battery is charged to 100% capacity and you still have excess solar production, the excess power typically gets pushed (or “exported”) to the local electricity grid to power nearby systems.  When solar panels generate more electricity than used, you can sell the excess back to the electric company. This often results in a credit applied to your next electricity bill, lowering your overall costs.

What is the life of battery storage?

While solar panels can function for 20-30 years, solar batteries typically need replacing within 5-15 years. Factor in this replacement cost when considering a solar panel system with battery.

Tax incentives

In many states, solar battery storage systems with a capacity exceeding 3 kWh qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.