Solar + Battery Storage provides homeowners and business owners with much-needed energy independence in the face of disruptions of an aging power grid. When your solar panels collect energy from the sun, the energy is then sent to your inverter, which converts that power into usable AC electricity. The AC electricity powers your lights, appliances, and devices. But what happens when you experience an outage? Here’s where your battery comes into play: this is when you will begin to pull electricity from your battery until power is restored. The solar will then recharge the battery until it is full in preparation for another outage. Depending on your battery and energy usage, you can have a whole-home backup, or you can just target your essential loads. Pairing solar panels with a battery ensures your home or business stays operational during a grid outage, providing peace of mind and reducing reliance on an uncertain grid. Now, let’s get down to the details.

Grid-Tied Solar Systems

Grid-tied solar systems are a great way to save money and create an energy-efficient home. These are by far the most common solar energy systems in our region. Without an integrated battery, these systems automatically shut off during a grid outage to prevent back-feeding electricity into the grid, which can be dangerous for utility workers. When your grid-tied system is paired with a battery, it will automatically ‘island,’ (disconnect from the grid) allowing you to operate your own micro-grid during the outage, leveraging the value of both your solar system and your battery to carry you through. When you aren’t experiencing an outage, under normal operating conditions, your battery will stay fully charged by the solar, with any excess energy sent back to the grid to be consumed by the nearest load (likely one of your neighbors), giving you kWh credits for any export of energy. Net Metering in our region allows you to receive full retail credit on your utility bill for every kWh you send to the grid.

Off-Grid Solar Systems

Off-grid solar power operates independently from the electricity grid. It is less common in our region and is typically used in remote areas where grid connectivity is cost prohibitive. These solar systems are completely self-sufficient, relying on solar panels to capture energy from the sun, to be both stored in on-site batteries and used in real time. A well-designed system with the right technology ensures dependable electricity through the use of only renewable energy resources.

How to Choose the Right Solar Battery

Each solar system is unique, and your battery system is no exception. Selecting the ideal battery for your home or business isn’t just about technical specifications. Our experts will guide you in choosing a solution that aligns with your unique needs, considering factors like your lifestyle, energy consumption, essential appliances, existing electrical system, and budget. We’ll walk you through our top 3 solar-battery picks.

Enphase IQ8 5P

The IQ8 5P from Enphase allows homeowners to start and run more power-hungry appliances during an outage than ever before (think refrigerators, freezers, sump pumps, well pumps, and water heaters). These batteries are National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Type 3R rated, meaning that they can withstand and will operate in extreme weather conditions including heavy rain, sleet, snow, and ice.

Technical Specifications:

• Capacity: 5 kWh
• Peak Power: 3.84 kW continuous / 7.68 peak
• Chemistry: Lithium-ion LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
• Efficiency: Up to 97%

Key Features:

• Modular design for scalable storage solutions (add more batteries as your energy needs grow over time)!
• Individual monitoring and control of each battery
• Built-in microinverters for optimal energy production
• Compatible with Enphase solar systems
• Seamless generator support during extended outages
• 15-year warranty

Tesla Powerwall 3

The Powerwall 3 is a streamlined, all-in-one solution for energy storage. Its integrated design reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and simplifies installation and management. With a single monitoring platform, you can easily track solar production, consumption, EV charging, and battery usage. Powerwall 3’s compact size and integrated solar inverter ensure reliable whole-home backup, even in harsh conditions. In the event of a power outage, it seamlessly transitions your home to stored energy, providing a continuous and uninterrupted power supply.

Technical Specifications:

• Capacity: 13.4 kWh
• Peak Power: 11.5 kW continuous / 30 kW peak
• Chemistry:  Lithium-ion LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
• Efficiency: Up to 97.5%

Key Features:

• Integrated inverter for grid-tied and backup power capabilities
• Advanced thermal management system
• Remote monitoring and control via mobile app
• Compatible with most major solar inverters
• Modular design for scalable storage solutions
• 10-year warranty

Franklin WH aPower Battery + aGate Energy Management

aPower paired with aGate by Franklin WH, a robust home energy battery solution, offers scalable storage as well. aPower batteries can be scaled up to 15 units per aGate, offering a remarkable 204 kWh of storage to meet even the most demanding home energy needs. As a robust battery, a single aPower unit is powerful enough to start a 4-ton air conditioner.torage. aPower batteries can be scaled up to 15 units per aGate, providing up to 204 kWh of storage.

Technical Specifications:

• Capacity: 13.6 kWh per unit
• Peak Power: 5 kW continuous / 10 kW peak
• Chemistry: Lithium-ion LFP
• Efficiency: Up to 95%

Key Features:

• Customizable storage options to suit different needs
• Integrated battery management system for safety and performance
• Compatibility with various solar inverters
• Competitive pricing with a 12-year warranty

Federal Tax Credit for Solar Batteries

The solar battery tax credit is part of the federal solar tax credit, a long-standing incentive for solar panel installation. In 2022, the solar tax credit was expanded to include both stand-alone and solar paired with battery storage as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The new and improved tax credit is often referred to as the solar battery tax credit when it’s being applied to battery storage. This credit can be combined with the federal solar tax credit to maximize savings and can stand alone, without solar. There is no maximum amount for claiming your tax credit.

MEA – Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit

The Maryland Energy Administration Storage Income Tax Credit is available to residential and commercial taxpayers who have installed an energy storage system on their property in Maryland. Tax credit certificates are awarded on a first come, first served basis. We are currently awaiting 2025 program information from MEA.
Tax Credit Calculations
Energy storage tax credit certificates are calculated differently for systems installed on residential and commercial properties. A tax credit certificate is calculated as the lower amount of:
● 30 percent of the total installed costs of the energy storage system; or,
● $5,000 for an energy storage system installed on a residential property; or,
● $150,000 for an energy storage system installed on a commercial property.

Total Installed Costs

To calculate the Total Installed Costs of the energy storage installation, MEA will take the sum of the line items listed below from your contract and invoicing documents. MEA will then subtract any discounts offered by the installation contractor from the Total Installed Costs before calculating the energy storage tax credit certificate. It is essential that your installation contractor provide a clear invoice articulating the costs of each component of the system.

● Cost of the Energy Storage System (e.g., Home Battery System)
● Cost of Electrical Work/Equipment (e.g., Electrical Gateway)
● Cost of Installation and Labor
● Cost of Required Permits (e.g., Building, Electrical, and Occupancy Use Permits)
● Maryland Sales and Use Tax

Solar batteries offer a powerful solution for energy independence, resilience, and peace of mind. As the local clean energy experts, we are committed to dispelling misinformation and educating the community on clean energy solutions. Our team of experts are here to answer any and all questions you may have about solar and battery storage. Ready to take the next steps towards a sustainable future? Contact Solar Energy Services, Inc. today for a personalized consultation and learn how solar energy and battery storage can benefit your home or business.