How much do solar batteries cost?
Expect to pay $7,000 to $18,000 for a home solar battery
If you're looking to buy battery storage for your solar panels, you can probably expect to pay between $7,000 and $18,000. Just know that the overall price range for a solar battery is even wider, with prices anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $30,000+, depending on what you buy, who you buy it from and how you plan to use it.
We’ll break down the costs of some popular solar batteries and detail everything you need to know to determine whether adding storage to your renewable energy system is worth it.
Key insights
- Solar batteries are expensive, but financial incentives are available to lower the cost.
- Prices often depend on the battery’s storage capacity, expected life span, brand and other factors.
- Homeowners often find that solar batteries are worth it for energy security — even if they’re not worth it financially.
Solar panel battery costs explained
Historically, solar batteries have had a reputation for being prohibitively expensive, with many recorded instances where adding storage doubled the cost of a home solar installation.
That’s one reason why the majority of residential solar panel systems in the U.S. are “tied” to the energy grid instead. With these systems, the grid more or less acts as a battery, and all the excess electricity that's produced by the panels is sent into the energy grid.
As battery technology has evolved and more manufacturers are entering the market, however, costs have decreased significantly in the past decade. As a result, adding battery storage to a home solar panel system is becoming increasingly popular and affordable.
Example solar battery prices
Here’s a look at the prices of some popular solar batteries.
| Battery | Total capacity in kilowatt-hours | Price before incentives* | Cost after 30% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renogy REGO | 10kWh | $7,327.99 | $5,129.59 |
| Tesla Powerwall (includes Gateway and accessories) | 13.5kWh | ~$8,700 | ~$6,090 |
| BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup (includes inverter) | 9.92kWh, 14.88kWh or 19.84kWh | $12,298, $13,798 or $17,298 | $8,608.60, $9,658 or $12,108 |
| SunPower SunVault (includes installation) | 52kWh | $12,000 to $18,000 | $8,400 to $12,600 |
| Generac PWRcell system (includes solar panels, inverter and installation) | 9kWh | ~$18,000 | ~$12,600 |
Just be aware that solar battery prices may change over time. For example, we verified the Tesla Powerwall price in the table above for multiple addresses at the time of publishing in 2023, but Robert, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from California, mentioned to us in 2021 that his two Powerwalls were $12,000 each.
» MORE: Best solar batteries
What affects solar battery costs?
The price you pay for your solar battery usually depends on a few different factors, which we’ve outlined below.
- Capacity
- Capacity, the maximum amount of electricity that can be stored in the device, is usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or amp hours (Ah). When we asked Steven Zook, founder of battery supplier Rhino Voltz, what the most influential variable was for solar battery costs, he confidently told us, “Different sizes; batteries with more power are more expensive.”
- What’s included
- When comparing solar battery options, remember to consider what’s included in any given price before signing a contract. For example, you may have to buy an inverter or charge controller separately to get your battery operational.
- Chemistry
- Lead-acid batteries are often significantly cheaper than their lithium-ion counterparts. However, lithium-ion batteries are slowly becoming the industry standard across nearly every solar energy application, thanks to their depth of discharge, storage potential and efficiency.
- Manufacturer
- Like most products, solar battery costs vary by manufacturer. Although there can be value in choosing a more affordable brand, premium options from certain manufacturers may allow for bonus features, like app integration or compatibility with other aspects of your system.
- Installation
- Labor costs can vary heavily for solar battery installations, especially if you're in an area that doesn't have many qualified contractors or companies for the job.
Although solar battery installations typically only take professionals less than half a day, some DIYers choose to save on installation costs with a bit of sweat equity. “I'm installing it myself. It's been a chore, but it's fine,” reported Peter, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Tennessee. “The kit will power my whole house, and it has a battery backup too.”
» LEARN: How solar energy is stored
How to save money on solar batteries
If you're planning to purchase one or more solar batteries, there are a few ways to save money on your purchase further down the road.
Take advantage of tax incentives, rebates and programs
The federal solar tax credit, now officially known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, can be redeemed for solar battery storage purchases of at least 3 kilowatt-hours — potentially reducing your total investment costs by up to 30%.
You may also have state-, city- or utility-sponsored solar battery rebates or programs available in your area that can further reduce your upfront costs.
Bundle your solar battery purchase
By installing a solar battery when you install your solar panels, you may be able to save by bundling the entire project through one installer rather than piecing together equipment from separate companies. A solar battery purchase is also a great time to consider things like smart energy controls, an efficient electric vehicle (EV) charger or an electric panel upgrade.
Use your stored energy to save
Solar batteries can also save you money on utility power long-term. When utility costs are at their peak, you can pivot your home’s energy consumption to run off of battery power rather than grid power, leveraging the electricity your solar panels generated when you need it most. In some cases, you may even be able to sell your solar electricity to the grid when the rates are at their highest to make extra money through net metering.
California’s new NEM 3.0 laws actually incentivize solar panel owners with battery storage to make the most out of time-of-use energy rates in this way, but it’s worth checking your local regulations before you buy a solar battery.
“I'm unable to take advantage of the power that I'm producing because of the way the power companies are structured here in Texas. It's different from California. California gives the credits back, but I don't think Texas companies do give credits,” said Paul, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Texas.
“I did not even know that the power companies don't do a buyback policy here in Texas until after I had installed the system and I went to the power company. They said, ‘Oh, we don't buy your power back. We don't need your power.’”
(For inquiring Texans, net metering is available in your state, but there’s no law mandating that utility companies offer it. As a result, many retail electricity providers don’t.)
Are solar batteries worth it?
Solar batteries have become increasingly popular. However, it can be hard to know if a solar battery is right for you, so we put together some guidelines to help you know where you stand.
Solar storage may be worth it for you if:
- You have high electricity costs, especially in an area with demand-based pricing.
- Where you live is prone to electrical outages or prolonged blackouts.
- You would like to power as much of your life as you can with off-grid, emission-free solar energy.
» LEARN: How a solar-powered home works with generator backup
As you might be able to tell from these guidelines, the perks of a solar battery aren’t purely financial.
For example, grid-tied solar panels temporarily shut down during local blackouts, so some people feel that solar batteries are worth the cost as a way of keeping their solar systems up and running in the event of an outage.
“If you don't go with the battery pack, it's a waste. I did that and it gives me some time if the power goes out where I don't lose my groceries,” said Ted, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Texas.
“I am not a Green Person,” wrote Harvey, another ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Texas. “However, I have a daughter with health issues and she needs her Cpap machine. To provide continuous power to our home, there was no other option except Solar and batteries.”
Larry, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from California, told us: “When the power goes off, our system also goes off because it's a grid tie. We want to be independent, which is the whole purpose of going solar.”
When the power goes off, our system also goes off because it's a grid tie. We want to be independent, which is the whole purpose of going solar.”
If you currently have solar and wish to add a battery, it may be wise to reach out to the company that originally installed your panels. Unless you have already installed a battery-ready inverter, some other equipment upgrades may be necessary to incorporate a new solar battery.
If you are yet to go solar (or your original installer is out of business), you can always contact a solar company near you to obtain an estimate and calculate whether or not a solar battery will be worth it for your home.
» LEARN: How long do solar batteries last?
FAQ
How many solar batteries are needed to power a house?
While some homes may need two to four solar batteries (or more), the number of solar batteries needed to power a house depends on the size of the batteries as well as the house’s electricity consumption.
As Rhino Voltz founder Steven Zook explained to us, you could power a house “with one battery if you had a big enough battery.”
How much does solar battery maintenance cost?
Most modern, lithium-based storage systems have minimal, if not nonexistent, maintenance costs.
(Solar battery terminals should still be routinely cleaned to get rid of buildup and debris, but lithium solar batteries incur less maintenance than traditional lead-acid devices.)
Can you use your electric vehicle as a solar battery?
You can use your electric vehicle as a solar battery, but only if you have the right system and vehicle. Nissan, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi have all produced vehicles with bidirectional charging capabilities, and Tesla has confirmed that bidirectional charging is on the horizon for its vehicles.
- Article sources
- ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “Should I Get Battery Storage for My Solar Energy System?” Accessed Aug. 21, 2023.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Utility-scale battery storage costs decreased nearly 70% between 2015 and 2018.” Accessed Aug. 21, 2023.
- IRS, “Residential Clean Energy Credit.” Accessed Aug. 21, 2023.
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