Energy Storage & Battery Systems
Store solar energy and gain energy independence with home battery backup
When PG&E cuts power during a PSPS shutoff — or peak rates hit at dinnertime — a home battery keeps your lights on and shifts your usage off the most expensive hours.
Often paired with: Home solar · EV chargers · Electrical services
Further reading: Powerwall 3 vs FranklinWH vs Enphase · Solar payback period under NEM 3.0
Last updated: September 2026
Why Add Battery Storage?
Battery storage systems transform your solar installation into a complete energy solution. Store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it at night, during peak-rate hours, or when the grid goes down. With California's frequent power outages and high time-of-use electricity rates, battery storage makes more sense than ever.
Pacific Edge Electric and Solar specializes in integrating advanced battery systems with solar installations. Whether you're adding storage to an existing solar system or designing a new solar + storage installation from scratch, we provide expert guidance and professional installation.
Benefits of Energy Storage
- Backup Power During Outages - Keep essential appliances running when the grid fails
- Maximize Solar Self-Consumption - Use your solar power 24/7, not just during sunny hours
- Time-of-Use Optimization - Avoid expensive peak-rate electricity charges
- Energy Independence - Reduce reliance on the utility grid
- Grid Support - Earn incentives through demand response programs
- Future-Ready - Prepare for electric vehicles and all-electric homes
- Increase Home Value - Battery backup is a premium feature buyers seek
Battery Systems We Install
We install and service the three leading home batteries — Tesla Powerwall, FranklinWH, and Enphase IQ Battery. The table below compares usable capacity, power output, warranty, and typical installed cost to help you choose; detailed specs for each follow.
| Battery | Usable capacity | Continuous power | Warranty | Typical installed cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kW | 10 years | $14,000–$18,000 | Most homes; new solar + storage |
| FranklinWH aPower | 13.6 kWh (expandable) | 5 kW (10 kW per aGate) | 12 years | $15,000–$20,000 | Whole-home backup; high usage |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P | 5.0 kWh (stackable) | 3.84 kW | 15 years | $9,000–$16,000 | Enphase systems; easy retrofits |
Installed cost includes equipment, electrical work, and permitting; final pricing depends on backup scope and existing panel. Reviewed September 2026.
Tesla Powerwall 3
Capacity: 13.5 kWh usable
Power Output: 11.5 kW continuous
Best For: Most homes, seamless integration with Tesla solar
Features: Integrated solar inverter, app control, automatic backup, scalable
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is the most popular home battery system. Its integrated solar inverter, compact wall-mounted design, and proven reliability make it an excellent choice for most homes. Stack multiple Powerwalls for larger homes or extended backup needs.
FranklinWH aPower
Capacity: 13.6 kWh per battery (expandable to 15+ units)
Power Output: 5 kW continuous / 10 kW peak per unit, combined through the aGate
Best For: Whole-home backup, high energy users, multi-EV households
Features: Modular expansion, AI energy management, aGate load router
FranklinWH's revolutionary all-in-one system combines battery storage, hybrid inverter, and intelligent energy management. Perfect for homeowners who want maximum flexibility and the most advanced energy management available.
Enphase IQ Battery
Capacity: 5.0 kWh per unit (stackable to 80 kWh)
Power Output: 3.84 kW continuous / 7.68 kW peak per unit
Best For: Enphase microinverter systems, easy retrofits
Features: AC-coupled, modular design, integrated inverter, 15-year warranty
Perfect companion for Enphase solar systems. The IQ Battery 5P features modular design for easy customization and works with any solar system, not just Enphase. Simple AC-coupled installation makes it ideal for retrofitting existing solar systems.
How Battery Storage Works
During the Day (Sun Shining):
- Solar panels generate electricity
- Power your home first
- Excess energy charges the battery
- Additional excess sent to grid (net billing, at NEM 3.0 export rates)
At Night or During Outages:
- Battery discharges to power your home
- Essential circuits stay energized
- Grid import only when battery depleted
- Automatic switch during power outages
What Can a Battery Power?
Battery capacity determines what you can power and for how long. Here's what typical systems can support:
Essential Loads (8-12 hours backup):
- Refrigerator
- Lights
- WiFi router & modem
- Phone charging
- Medical equipment
- Garage door opener
Whole Home Backup (4-6 hours typical):
- All essential loads above
- HVAC system
- Well pump
- Electric stove/oven
- Multiple rooms of lighting
- TV and entertainment
Runtime varies based on usage. Multiple batteries extend backup duration.
Installation Process
1. Energy Assessment
Analyze your energy usage patterns, critical loads, and backup needs to size the system properly.
2. System Design
Design battery configuration, determine installation location, and plan backup circuit panel.
3. Permitting
Obtain electrical permits and utility approval for battery installation.
4. Installation
Install battery, backup panel, and integration with existing solar system (if applicable).
5. Testing & Commissioning
Configure battery settings, test backup functionality, and verify proper operation.
6. Utility Approval
Final inspection and permission to operate from utility company.
7. Monitoring Setup
Configure app for remote monitoring of battery charge, usage, and solar production.
8. Homeowner Training
Show you how to use your system, understand monitoring, and maximize benefits.
Battery + Solar: The Perfect Combination
While batteries can work with grid power alone, pairing them with solar provides maximum value. Solar generates free electricity to charge your battery daily, providing energy independence and eliminating reliance on utility power.
Solar vs. Battery vs. Solar + Battery
| Solar only | Battery only | Solar + Battery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowers your PG&E bill | Yes (daytime use) | Some (peak-rate shifting) | Most — generate by day, use at night |
| Backup during outages / PSPS | No (grid-tied solar shuts off) | Yes | Yes — and recharges daily from solar |
| Value under NEM 3.0 | Reduced (low export credit) | n/a | Best — self-consumption avoids cheap exports |
| SGIP battery rebate (waitlisted, Sept 2026) | No | If income-qualified | If income-qualified |
| Typical installed cost | $20,000–$50,000 | $9,000–$20,000 | Solar + battery combined |
| Best for | Bill savings, no outage needs | Backup on a home without solar | Most Bay Area homes under NEM 3.0 |
Under NEM 3.0 (the CPUC Net Billing Tariff), exported solar earns far less than the power you buy back, so a battery is what drives payback for most homes. Costs are before incentives.
💰 Save with Solar + Storage Bundle
Installing solar and battery together maximizes efficiency and savings. You'll benefit from:
- Single installation process
- Optimized system design
- Lower combined installation cost
Retrofitting Existing Solar Systems
Already have solar panels? We can add battery storage to most existing solar systems. AC-coupled batteries like Tesla Powerwall work with any solar system, regardless of age or inverter type. We'll assess your current system and design the optimal battery integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tesla Powerwall vs. FranklinWH: which battery should I choose?
Both are excellent whole-home batteries with similar ~13.5 kWh usable capacity. The Tesla Powerwall 3 is the most popular choice for most homes — it has a built-in solar inverter, high 11.5 kW continuous output, a clean app, and a 10-year warranty, making it ideal for new solar-plus-storage installs. FranklinWH (aPower + aGate) shines for whole-home backup and high-usage or multi-EV households: it's highly modular (expandable to 15+ units), has a 12-year warranty, and its aGate intelligently routes and manages loads. We recommend Powerwall for most Tesla and new-solar homes, and FranklinWH when you need large, expandable, whole-home backup.
How much does a home battery cost, and how many do I need?
A single installed home battery typically costs $9,000–$20,000 including equipment, electrical work, and permitting — about $14,000–$18,000 for a Tesla Powerwall 3 or $15,000–$20,000 for FranklinWH aPower. Most homes need one battery (about 13.5 kWh) to back up essential loads, and two or more for whole-home backup, larger homes, or multi-EV households. We size the system from your actual usage and which circuits you want to keep running.
Will a battery keep my home powered during a PG&E PSPS shutoff?
Yes. During a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) or any outage, the battery automatically disconnects from the grid and powers your home within milliseconds — no manual switching. With an essential-loads setup, one battery typically runs your refrigerator, lights, WiFi, phone charging, and medical equipment for 8–12 hours. For whole-home backup including HVAC, well pump, and more circuits, we install multiple batteries; paired with solar, the batteries recharge each day so you can ride out multi-day outages.
Do home batteries make financial sense under NEM 3.0?
Yes, more than ever. Under California's NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff), PG&E pays only about $0.05–$0.08 per kWh for solar you export to the grid. A battery lets you store your daytime solar and use it yourself in the evening — avoiding PG&E's expensive peak-rate power (often $0.50+/kWh) instead of exporting cheaply. This self-consumption is the main way solar pays off under NEM 3.0, and the battery also delivers backup power on top of the bill savings.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?
Yes. We can add battery storage to most existing solar systems regardless of age or inverter brand. AC-coupled batteries like the Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ Battery integrate with virtually any existing solar array, so you usually don't need to replace your panels or inverter. We assess your current system, electrical panel, and backup goals, then design the cleanest battery retrofit for your home.
Am I eligible for the SGIP battery rebate?
Possibly — but not right now. California's SGIP battery rebate pays $1.10 per watt-hour ($14,850 on a 13.5 kWh Powerwall 3) to households at or below 80% of area median income or enrolled in CARE, FERA, or ESA, yet as of September 2026 every residential SGIP budget is closed or waitlisted: the general-market and Equity Resiliency budgets closed December 31, 2025, and the equity tier is fully reserved with a waitlist. If you qualify, we prepare and submit your reservation so you're in line if funding returns, and we never price your battery around it. Run our SGIP estimator to check your tier.
Ready to Add Energy Storage?
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