Should You Add a Solar Battery to Your Home?

With many San Diego homes utilizing solar panels, and blackouts being more regular, it may be a good time for you to consider a solar battery system for your home. To help you decide if it’s the right time for you, we’ve put together this Solar Battery Quick Guide. (Download the Visual Quick Guide here.)

Living in the Golden State means there is an abundance of solar energy to harness. This typically results in solar panels generating more energy than you need on a day-to-day basis. This is why solar batteries are a great option for San Diegans who want to have electricity to utilize during blackouts, or “when you need more electricity than your solar panels are producing (later in the day or at nighttime).¹”

Like solar panels, solar batteries may be eligible for a federal solar tax credit (ITC). The tax credit mirrors that of the solar panels, which means the sooner you get your solar battery, the better. Systems installed in 2020 may qualify for a 26% tax credit; whereas in 2021 the ITC maxes out at 22%, and in 2022 it plummets to 0%.

In addition to the ITC, you may be able to take advantage of California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which makes SDG&E customers eligible for a rebate on their energy storage system. The General Market rebate is approximately $250 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) stored in your solar battery. Some people may qualify for the Equity rebate of up to $850/kWh or the Equity Resiliency rebate of up to $1,000/kWh. For more details on the SGIP Residential Rebates, visit the SGIP website.

With more planned blackouts and unforeseen power outages, solar batteries can provide the protection and reliability you want to keep the lights on in your home. Energy storage systems also offer flexibility for you to use stored energy during costly Time-of-Use (TOU) hours, thus avoiding an expensive electric bill.

Download the Visual Solar Battery Quick Guide here