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Answering random Redditor’s questions with professional backup: home solar edition

Whole-home battery backup - actually worth it, or do most people regret the cost?

Earlier this week, a home solar shopper took to Reddit looking for a home solar panel + home backup battery system that could intelligently manage solar and grid power, auto switch in a power outage, and accept ICE generator input in a prolonged grid power failure. I reached out to some home energy experts to get them an answer.

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Not sold on Tesla Powerwall? There are some great home battery alternatives out there

The US has had a massive power outage every single month this year. At what point is this just the new normal?

Between increasingly extreme weather, rising electricity demands, and the rapid expansion of data centers, energy independence is starting to look less like a talking point for doomsday preppers and more like sound planning. That shift in thinking is driving more homeowners than ever towards solar-plus-battery energy solutions like the industry-leading Tesla Powerwall – but Powerwall isn’t the only game in town, anymore.

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Survey Sunday: How much home battery backup do YOU need?

Home batteries are getting a lot of attention lately, but are people really looking for a full “whole home” setup, or are they just interested in keeping their phones alive for some post-hurricane doom scrolling? We asked you, our brilliant Electrek readers, what you were looking for in your home battery. Here’s what you said.

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Batteries become the new home solar as net metering evolves and energy prices soar

Every GM EV can now power your home

Net metering — the ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid for fun and profit — has helped make rooftop solar panels the centerpiece of the home energy transition for more than a decade. But, as net metering rules change and electricity prices keep climbing, the value proposition isn’t as clear as it once was. Instead of sending extra power back to the grid, homeowners are increasingly deciding that it makes more sense to hold on to that excess power for themselves.

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It’s time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]

What options are there beyond Tesla Powerwall for home batteries?

NOTE: since most of the US is currently getting hit with a huge winter storm, I’m republishing this list of home batteries as a reminder to be prepared for the next one – particularly for folks who are looking at hours or days without power.

For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for homeowners looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. But with a recent recall on more than 10,000 home batteries over fire safety concerns following a year (or more) of CEO Elon Musk’s political antics, more and more people are beginning to look for alternatives to the trailblazing Tesla tech. The good news: there are plenty of other great home solar battery solutions are there!

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As states push DER initiatives, $4,500 PG&E home battery rebate leads the way

Earn Up To $4,500 in Incentives from PG&E

Rather than straining the grid, the batteries in EVs can actually help to stabilize the energy grid under heavy loads. PG&E gets that, and to encourage participation in its growing V2G programs, the utility is offering GM Energy customers in its territory up to $4,500 toward qualifying home battery systems.

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