Should You Get a Battery With Your Solar System? 

Most homeowners install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to lower their energy bills, reduce their reliance on the grid, and shrink their carbon footprint. But pairing your PV panels with an on-site battery can grow those benefits even further. A battery stores electricity for use at night or during power outages, improving your home's resilience and saving you money.

This guide breaks down how solar works with and without a battery. It also covers when adding storage makes sense, how much it costs, what incentives are available, and whether a generator might be a better fit for your long-term energy and savings goals.

If you're wondering, should I get a battery with my solar system? – this article will help you decide.

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How Solar Works With and Without a Battery

PV panels generate electricity during the day – often producing more than your home needs in that moment. What happens to the extra power depends on your PV system setup.

Grid-Tied Solar (No Battery)

In a grid-tied system, unused solar energy flows to the utility company's electricity network. The grid acts like shared storage. And a billing system called “net metering“ tracks how much solar power you send into the utility grid. When your panels aren’t generating power, like at night, you can draw electricity from the grid. 

Your utility gives you credits for the solar power you send into the grid. Later, you use those credits to lower what you owe when you pull power from the grid. You're ultimately responsible for the “net” difference, with some homeowners actually receiving negative bills in certain cycles.

Solar-Plus-Battery (with Battery)

In a solar-plus-storage system, extra solar power charges a battery at your home. When the panels stop producing energy, the home pulls electricity from the battery first. If the battery runs out, the system then draws electricity from the grid. This setup controls how and when your home uses solar energy.

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When Does a Solar Battery Make Sense?

Not every solar setup needs storage, but in some cases, it’s a smart upgrade:

• Frequent power outages: If your area loses power often, a battery can keep essential appliances running. This includes your fridge, Wi-Fi, lights, or medical devices. Grid-tied solar alone shuts off during blackouts, but storage keeps your home powered.
  
• High Time-of-Use (TOU) rates: Some utilities charge more during peak evening hours. A battery stores solar energy during the day so you can avoid paying those higher rates later.
  
• Limited or no net metering: If your utility offers little or no credit for excess solar, storing your own energy often makes more financial sense than sending it to the grid.
  
• Desire for energy independence: A battery gives you more control over how and when you use your solar power, reducing reliance on the grid. In fact, solar + storage is often the only option for remote homes that are too far from utility infrastructure.
  
• Strong financial incentives: Federal, state, and local incentives can all help lower the total cost, making storage more affordable.

Depending on your unique situation, adding battery storage can make your existing solar PV system more resilient and valuable.

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Solar Battery Costs & Available Incentives

Most home battery systems cost between $6,000 and $23,000 to install, with the actual hardware representing approximately half of this total. According to Energy Sage, for example, a Tesla Powerwall costs around $9,200, while the LG Chem Prime is about $9,500. These prices don’t include labor, permitting, interconnection fees, or any electrical upgrades like backup subpanels.

The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to claim 30% of the total installed cost as a credit on your federal taxes. State and utility incentives can also lower the price further. For example, California offers substantial rebates through its Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), and Massachusetts provides additional payments through its Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program.

For more on pricing and what affects it, read our comprehensive overview on solar battery installation or our expansive resource on how much do solar batteries cost.

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Should You Get a Battery with Your Solar System or Add It Later?

Installing a solar battery at the same time as your PV system is usually more cost-effective than retrofitting one to an existing system. It reduces labor, permitting, and utility connection fees by handling everything in one job. It also helps ensure that your system works together smoothly from the start. Adding a battery later often requires extra electrical work, such as rewiring or replacing parts that weren’t designed for storage. This can raise the total cost and complicate the installation. 

The type of setup matters too. AC-coupled batteries (which use a separate inverter) are easier to add later. DC-coupled batteries (which share components with your solar panels) are more efficient but harder to retrofit.

If you think a battery might be in your future, it makes sense to plan for it when designing your solar system.

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Alternatives to Batteries – Are Generators a Better Option?

Batteries and generators both serve as backup power sources, but they work very differently. Batteries provide quiet, fuel-free power and reduce carbon emissions. They also require minimal maintenance and switch on automatically when the grid goes down.

Generators cost less upfront and can run longer, making them useful for extended outages or for powering high-demand appliances. But they rely on fuel like gasoline, diesel, or propane. They also create noise, release emissions, and need regular maintenance to remain operational. Some homeowners also find it inconvenient to store fuel or start the generator manually during a storm or emergency.

Batteries offer a cleaner, quieter, and more hands-off solution. Generators can handle bigger loads for longer periods, but they come with trade-offs in terms of cost, noise, and complexity.

For a deeper look at how these options compare, see our free guide on whether to invest in a battery backup vs generator.

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Decision Making Checklist: Do I need a Solar Battery?

So – are solar batteries worth it? Use the free checklist below to see whether storage makes sense for your home:

• Do you experience frequent power outages? – If blackouts are common in your area, a battery can keep essential devices running without interruption.
  
• Are you on a time-of-use plan with your utility? – If your electricity costs more in the evening, a battery can help you avoid those peak charges.
  
• Is net metering limited or unfavorable in your area? – If you are not getting full credit for excess solar that you feed into the utility grid, storing it yourself may offer better value.
  
• Are you eligible for federal or state incentives? – A 30% federal tax credit and state-level rebates can significantly reduce the cost, making battery storage a more attractive financial investment.
  
• Do you value energy independence and enhanced resiliency? – A battery gives you more control and reliability as you become less reliant on the main utility grid.
  
• Do you want to maximize your carbon savings? – Adding battery storage allows you to keep and use more of the clean energy your solar panels generate. This, in turn, lowers your carbon footprint.

If you answered yes to even one of these questions, a solar battery may be a smart upgrade that adds value, savings, and security to your home.

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