Do You Need a Battery in the South Sound?
Grid-tied solar shuts off when the grid does. Here’s when a battery is worth it for storm season — and the honest battery-vs-generator tradeoff.
South Sound windstorms knock out power most winters, so it is a fair question: do you need a battery? Here is the honest answer — it depends on what you are trying to protect, and we will tell you straight rather than upsell you.
Solar alone will not keep your lights on
This surprises people: a standard grid-tied solar system shuts off during an outage. That is a safety requirement — it prevents your panels from energizing lines that utility crews may be repairing. To keep power flowing when the grid is down, you need a battery (or a generator).
What a battery costs
Installed home batteries generally run between $10,000 and $25,000 for a typical setup, and more for true whole-home backup. One important honesty note: the federal 30% clean-energy credit that used to offset storage expired December 31, 2025, which removed roughly $8,000–$10,000 from a typical battery project. We factor today’s real numbers into your quote — not last year’s.
Battery vs. generator — the honest tradeoff
A battery is quiet, has no fuel to store, runs automatically, and pairs perfectly with solar so it can recharge from the sun during a multi-day outage. A standby generator usually has a lower upfront cost for whole-home backup and runs as long as it has fuel. Neither is "right" for everyone — the best choice depends on your priorities and budget, and we will lay both out.
Sizing it to what matters
You rarely need to back up the entire house. We size to your critical loads — fridge, furnace fan, well pump, internet, a few outlets and lights — which keeps the system affordable while covering what actually matters during a storm. If you want whole-home resilience, we can price that too.
Common questions
Will my solar work during a power outage?
Not on its own. Standard grid-tied solar shuts down in an outage for safety. You need a battery (or a generator) to keep power during an outage; a battery also recharges from your panels during multi-day outages.
How much does a home battery cost in Washington?
Typically $10,000–$25,000 installed for a standard setup, and more for whole-home backup. Note the federal 30% storage credit expired December 31, 2025, so current pricing reflects no federal credit.
Battery or generator — which is better?
It depends on your priorities. Batteries are quiet, fuel-free, automatic, and pair with solar. Generators often cost less upfront for whole-home backup and run as long as they have fuel. We present both honestly and size to your needs.