Everything you need to know about a
Home battery
Why battery backup?
Benefits of home batteries
Battery storage vs. generators
When it comes to powering your home during outages, it’s important to look at all the options
Solar storage
Benefits
- Provides home back-up
- Automatic start-up
- Virtually silent noise level
- Recharges with the sun
- 25 year life span*
- $0 to little upfront cost*
- Additional batteries can be installed for increased backup protection
Drawbacks
- May need multiple batteries to match the backup capacity of a standby generator
Standby generator
Benefits
- Provides home back-up
- Automatic start-up
- Supports large loads for extended timespans
Drawbacks
- Moderate noise level
- Powered by natural gas or propane
- Large, often placed in visible, inconvenient locations
- Often require professional servicing
- Average equipment and installation cost of $4,000-14,000+ †
* Available to all Sunrun Subscription Plan customers
† https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/generators/buying-guide/ (Typical cost: $2,000 to $7,000 without installation, which can more than double these prices.)
THE SUNRUN DIFFERENCE
Why Sunrun is the best partner for your home storage
For Sunrun subscription members you’ll receive…
Extended equipment coverage
We provide an equipment warranty for the lifetime of your contract. If your battery doesn’t work we’ll repair or replace it.
Maintenance and repair care
Sunrun covers any necessary maintenance and repairs in addition to 24/7 system monitoring and customer support.
Opportunities to earn for sharing energy
Through exclusive Sunrun Distributed Power Plant (DPP) programs, you may be eligible for compensation by sharing stored energy during peak community demand.
Carefree battery management
For many customers, Sunrun optimizes your battery to ensure you’re set up for success with utility bill reduction and powerful outage protection.
Sunrun’s customer agreements contain terms of all Sunrun warranties, guarantees and maintenance.
Battery Programming
Optimize your battery for peak performance
Learn about your battery mode choices and find the one that fits your lifestyle
Time-based
Self-power
Back-up only
Battery loads explained
Find the right battery solution for your home
What a battery looks like on a home in...
San Francisco, CA
What a battery looks like on a home in...
Boston, MA
What a battery looks like on a home in...
Houston, TX
Home battery FAQs
Will solar + battery storage allow me to go off grid?
Our rechargeable solar battery systems are designed to keep you on the grid during normal service times while providing reliable backup power when grid power isn’t available.
Storing excess energy from your solar company’s system can help you manage power consumption and save money by using stored power during peak pricing hours.
While full off-grid living requires significant battery storage, most homeowners find that staying connected to their local utility with a battery backup system is the most practical and cost-effective option. A trusted solar installer can help design the right setup for your needs.
What brands of batteries are available?
Availability will depend on where you live. Sunrun installs premium hardware from companies like Lunar, Tesla, and FranklinWH. The right battery can help meet your energy needs by storing excess solar energy generated by your solar panels, allowing you to power your home with solar even when the sun isn’t shining.
A well-designed battery bank can also help reduce energy costs by optimizing energy usage and minimizing reliance on the grid.
Where will my battery storage be placed?
We’ll design a solution that’s right for your home based on a number of factors. Typical placement is on an exterior wall of your home with sufficient space or potentially inside your garage.
Pairing your battery storage with solar panels ensures you have reliable solar power available, even during a natural disaster or peak hours when electricity demand is high.
For those looking to back up their home, proper placement is crucial to optimizing efficiency and ensuring seamless energy transition when needed.
Will a solar battery save me money on utility bills?
In many cases, the answer is yes. However, your ability to save on electric bills—or overall—depends on several factors. Where you live and whether you already went solar (and when) affect which solar compensation programs you qualify for, which impacts your savings.
The combination of solar panels and the latest lithium battery allow generated electricity to be stored and used when electricity rates are high, maximizing savings.
A battery inverter ensures that any energy stored is converted efficiently for home use, helping you get the most out of your system.
If you're looking for added security, a battery system can also provide whole home backup, keeping your essential appliances running during outages.
Speak with a Sunrun representative to learn more about batteries and potential energy savings.
*Recommended battery operation mode varies by home. Some homes are not incentivized to use stored energy except during outages.
Are solar batteries safe?
At Sunrun, we only install lithium-ion batteries that are efficient, reliable, and designed with safety as a core feature. For many homeowners, a battery is a new piece of technology, so it's smart to ask about safety.
At Sunrun, we protect your home with a three-layer safety promise:
1. Smart Technology & Certification
Best-in-class certification: We only install batteries that are rigorously tested and certified by nationally recognized safety testing laboratories before they ever come to your home.
The battery’s "safety brain": Every lithium-ion battery has a built-in Battery Management System, which constantly monitors the battery's temperature and charge status. This helps protect the home from issues like overheating, also known as thermal runaway. .
Automatic shut-off: If the system detects anything unusual, the smart technology is designed to automatically and immediately disconnect power to the system.
2. Expert Installation
Certified professionals: The safety of your system starts with a meticulous, custom installation by our certified experts.
Code compliance: We ensure the battery is installed correctly, adhering to all local and national electrical and fire codes. This includes placing the unit in a safe, well-ventilated location away from heat sources and flammable materials, which is crucial for the health and safety of the battery.
3. Lifetime Support & Monitoring
24/7 monitoring: Your system is constantly monitored by Sunrun, so we are alerted to any unusual activity and can address it quickly.
The Sunrun guarantee: You never have to worry about servicing or maintaining this sophisticated equipment. Our guarantee covers maintenance and repairs for the full length of your agreement.
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Get the benefits of solar + a home battery