Batteries are an awesome way to maximize your solar’s potential and achieve complete energy independence — day and night. Shaw Solar is the leading storage expert in Southwest Colorado and would love to discuss all the options available to you.
Understanding Residential Battery Storage
Residential battery storage involves storing excess solar or grid energy for later use. This allows homeowners to harness the solar they produce to power their homes, even in a blackout, promoting energy independence and resilience.
Incentives & Rebates
Battery storage is eligible for a 30% Federal Tax Credit + a bonus 10% Colorado State Tax Credit on material costs.
PLUS! For anyone in LPEA territory, they have just launched (Jan 2025) a battery incentive program with rebates starting at $1,000 with the option for bonus adders depending on what neighborhood you’re in (to help with their grid profiles).
This is the most comprehensive incentive stack we’ve ever seen, so now is absolutely a time to consider energy storage.
Benefits of Storage
Store green power generated during the day to use at night. Otherwise, your excess daytime solar goes back onto the grid, and without anything saved you’ll be pulling from the grid's fuel mix at night.
Lower Your Expensive ‘Peak Power Charge’ - Customers with a Peak Power or Demand Charge line item on their utility bill likely know that it adds a good chunk of cost to each bill. By storing power for use during these expensive time periods, you can significantly lower your electric bill.
Energy Resilience - Energy storage systems play a critical role in grid stability, ensuring vital backup in a power outage.
SHAW SOLAR's Solutions
At Shaw Solar, we work with you one-on-one to provide the most efficient and economical solution for your needs. Our home battery storage solutions include:
Tesla Powerwall 3
With a larger storage capacity and whole-home backup capability with a single unit, the Tesla Powerwall 3 is ideal for homeowners seeking comprehensive backup solutions. It is also compatible with various existing solar systems and inverters and is the first choice for adding to an existing solar system.
Additionally, the Tesla Powerwall 3 features the following benefits and power specifications:
Larger 13.5 kW storage capacity
60 Amp start-up load, which enables powering high-energy consuming home systems and appliances like a large HVAC system
Expandable up to four units, with 3 additional DC expansion packs
Tesla Mobile App for convenient, real-time monitoring and control
The DC-coupled battery enables direct connection to the DC lines of your array, simultaneously powering your home and charging your battery.
10-year warranty
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Enphase IQ 5P Battery
The Enphase IQ 5P Battery has a smaller storage capacity but offers flexibility and scalability, allowing homeowners to customize their backup system to specific energy requirements. Due to its size, it also starts at a lower price point.
Power specifications and features of the Enphase IQ 5P battery system include:
5 kW storage capacity
48 Amp start-up
Stackable “Lego block” system for flexibility in both design and energy usage
Expandable up to 16 units for higher energy needs
Seamless integration with Enphase Microinverters
AC-Coupled battery, which requires an additional AC to DC conversion to power your home
Extended 15-year warranty
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SPAN Smart Panel
The SPAN Smart Panel can be added to any home battery storage system and enables whole-home backup on a single battery by giving you the option to control the power supply down to the circuit. You can remotely adjust where your battery is diverting power via app-based monitoring and controls.
For example, let’s say you just finished a load of laundry, and now need to use the oven. You can turn off the power to your washing machine circuit and turn on the power to the circuit powering your oven.
You’ll have complete visibility into how much energy each circuit consumes and have the controls at your fingertips to adjust consumption as your energy needs dictate during an outage.
ENERGY STORAGE Questions & Considerations
How do we determine which battery storage solution is the best fit?
Shaw Solar works with you to identify your battery storage needs by determining how much of your home you wish to cover (whole home or specific loads), how long you want to have battery backup power coverage (how long do your power outages typically last), and what type of solar system (if any) you already own. Understanding this information allows Shaw Solar to size your battery storage system to fit your specific power needs. The best way to get started is to request a free battery storage assessment from our team.
What does residential battery storage typically cost?
The price varies by system (Enphase vs. Tesla) and the number of units. However, battery storage starts at around $13,000 for a single unit and is eligible for a 30% Federal Tax Credit, bringing the starting investment down to under $10,000 for a single unit. Each incremental unit added is discounted, and the entire battery storage cost is eligible for the 30% federal tax credit. In addition, there is a 10% Colorado State Tax Credit on material costs, which usually discounts the price by $1,000 or so.
Can an existing solar system be retrofitted with battery storage?
Yes! Our battery storage systems are compatible with existing solar inverters, ensuring seamless integration with your solar array, no matter if it was installed by Shaw Solar or another solar installer. We’ll need to know the type of inverters installed so we can recommend the best battery storage system.
Where does battery storage typically get installed?
Shaw Solar typically installs battery storage systems in a garage space due to safety and code considerations; however, if the home or town code dictates, we may choose to install a battery system in a basement or fire-safe room. For communication purposes, the transfer switch just needs to be within 250 feet of the inverters.
How does battery storage differ from a generator?
At the core, a generator and battery storage system fulfill the same purpose: powering your home during an outage. However, battery storage is much safer, quieter, and uses clean energy from your array.
Additional added benefits you get with battery storage over a generator include:
An extended warranty: generators typically only offer a one year warranty, if that, whereas Shaw Solar’s battery storage solutions offer 10 and 15-year warranties.
Enhanced monitoring and control: With battery storage, you’re able to monitor your energy usage from a convenient real-time app and adjust settings remotely. A generator has to be manually powered on and off without any insights or control over how much power you’re consuming.
Does adding battery storage impact my homeowner’s insurance?
While battery storage may affect homeowners insurance, Shaw Solar ensures compliance with all safety regulations and town codes and offers solutions to mitigate any impact.
Contact Shaw Solar today for a free battery storage consultation and quote. 970-259-5606.