Solar battery storage has a long list of benefits for homeowners, but adding a battery to your solar panel system isn’t cheap. A solar battery can add a significant sum to your solar panel installation costs, leaving many homeowners wondering whether they really need a solar battery.
Six Rivers Solar has been installing residential solar energy systems on the North Coast for years. We believe solar batteries are worth the cost and will increase your return on investment in a residential solar system.
Keep reading to learn more about solar battery storage and why we recommend it in most situations.
How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost?
Solar panel battery costs can vary significantly depending on the type and number of batteries you install. The more batteries you install, the more backup power you’ll have, but the additional storage capacity will add to your total costs.
Most homeowners spend between $10,000 and $20,000 on a solar battery system, including installation costs. It’s an investment, but for most homeowners, the benefits make the cost of a solar battery worth it. Solar battery storage also qualifies for the federal solar tax credit, which reduces what you owe when you file your taxes by 30% of your solar installation costs for the year you install your system. With the tax credit, solar battery storage is more affordable than ever before.
Learn more about California solar rebates and incentives.
Why You Need a Solar Battery
Solar battery storage is worth the cost, especially in California where extreme weather conditions and an unstable grid have made power outages a regular occurrence. Here’s why we think every homeowner who installs solar should also install solar battery storage.
Backup Power During a Blackout
The number one reason to install a solar battery is blackout protection. Solar batteries allow you to keep your solar panels on during a power outage so you can avoid the inconvenience and potential danger of a long-term blackout. With solar and battery storage, you won’t have to worry about PSPS events, flex power alerts, or weather-related outages. Your home will always have power.
Electric Bill Savings
You will save more on your electric bills with solar plus battery storage than you will with solar panels alone. Solar batteries store the excess electricity your solar panels generate during the day so you can use it to power your home at night or on a cloudy day. Electricity rates are usually highest in the evenings when your solar panels are not producing power, so being able to use stored solar power during this time instead of buying from the grid will save you money.
Better ROI with NEM 3.0
Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 changed California’s net metering policies for the worse. Under NEM 3, your utility will pay less for the power you export to the grid, so why send it to the grid? With a solar battery, you can store your excess electricity and use it yourself instead of selling it to your utility for a reduced rate. We anticipate that under NEM 3.0, solar plus battery systems will have a faster payback period and better return on investment than solar panels alone.
Energy Independence
In this day and age, the less you have to rely on the electric grid, the better. Installing solar panels with battery storage takes control away from your utility company and puts it in your hands. If you’re not quite ready to go off-grid with solar, a solar plus storage system is the best path toward energy independence.
Solar Battery Installation on the North Coast
Six Rivers Solar has been the North Coast’s leader in renewable energy since 1980. We specialize in solar battery storage systems and can design a custom battery bank that will provide all the backup power your home needs. With decades of experience installing solar panels in Humbolt and Del Norte Counties and a long list of satisfied customers, we are the best choice for your residential solar installation. Check out our testimonials to see what our past customers have to say about working with Six Rivers Solar.
Ready to get started with clean, renewable energy for your home?
