Category Archives: Energy Storage

The LG RESU Prime complete review

Reading Time: 6 minutes

LG is one of the biggest names in energy storage. Their original battery, the RESU, is one of the most popular models in the industry. Now, their newest model–RESU Prime–is out; it’s a fully integrated energy storage system that includes an inverter and smart energy management software at a more compact size than the original. If you have solar on your property and install a home battery like the RESU Prime, you can store excess solar electricity to use later in the day or during power outages. As a result, properties with solar-plus-storage can increase their total monthly savings in certain markets.

Continue reading →

The sonnenCore complete review

Leave a reply

Reading Time: 6 minutes

sonnen is one of the biggest names in energy storage. Their product line now includes three different models: the familiar sonnen eco, the ecoLinx, and now, their new sonnenCore battery. The sonnenCore is a fully integrated energy storage system that includes an inverter and smart energy management software, at a more compact size than previous products from the company. Property owners with solar that install a home battery like the sonnenCore are able to store excess solar electricity for use later in the day. As a result, properties with solar-plus-storage can increase their total monthly savings in certain markets.

Continue reading →

Energy storage glossary: the most important terms to know

Leave a reply

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Home energy storage systems are becoming increasingly popular in the US. In fact, solar installers say that one-third of customers nationwide express interest in energy storage, while on EnergySage’s Marketplace that number is even higher, with over 70 percent of solar shoppers also interested in energy storage.

Continue reading →

Q&A with Electriq: the PowerPod 2

1 Reply

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The energy storage industry is always evolving, generating new and improved battery options for homeowners each day. For an example of this, look no further than Electriq Power – this California-based energy storage company just released a new product called the PowerPod 2 that comes with some impressive upgrades to their original PowerPod product, such as lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and improved storage duration. We recently sat down with Electriq to learn more about their newest offering, and what’s coming up next:

Continue reading →

PG&E power outages: what you need to know

Leave a reply

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you live in Northern California, you’ve likely been impacted by electric power shut-offs or outages from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) over the last couple of years. As wildfires become increasingly prevalent in the state, and as the link between utility infrastructure–like transmission lines–and wildfires becomes increasingly clear, that trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, we wanted to take a step back and look at PG&E outages: why are they occurring, what does the past timeline of outages look like, and what can you expect moving forward.

Continue reading →

The Electriq PowerPod 2 complete review

Leave a reply

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Electriq Power is a San Leandro, California-based energy storage company that designs and engineers its storage systems in the United States. Electriq’s original product, the PowerPod 1, includes a battery, hybrid battery/solar inverter, home energy management system, and an energy meter. Their newest product, the PowerPod 2, has a different chemistry and upgraded technical specifications that build on their already impressive storage system.

Continue reading →

SGIP 2020 program updates: what you need to know

24 Replies

Reading Time: 3 minutes

(Updated November 2020)

California’s Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is one of the first incentives for battery energy storage in the country. The program has been very successful, helping California to lead the nation in residential energy storage deployment. Recently, the program has received additional funding, with a slightly revised charter for how to use those funds. Below, we detail the adjustments to SGIP and how it will impact individual, residential solar + storage shoppers in California.

Continue reading →

How to future proof your solar installation

4 Replies

Reading Time: 4 minutes

People who invest in solar are inherently forward-looking: solar panels last for 25 years or more, producing clean energy for decades to come. For people who are considering a new solar–or solar plus storage–installation today, it’s worth thinking about more than just what solar panels to install on your property. There are a few specific ways that you can set up your solar panel system now so that it’s future-proofed for anything else you might want or purchase over the next three decades.

Continue reading →

Backup generators vs. energy storage: do the math

5 Replies

Reading Time: 4 minutes

More and more homeowners are looking for ways to improve the resilience of their home’s electricity systems. Historically, many people who wanted backup power for their homes in the event of an emergency–think natural disasters and other outage events–looked to back up generators for that resilience. These days, however, homeowners are increasingly looking to energy storage systems, and solar plus storage systems in particular, for that peace of mind during outages.

Continue reading →

Comparing efficiencies for AC vs DC-coupled batteries

Leave a reply

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As is the case with comparing solar panels and inverters, when comparing solar batteries, there are a number of different technical specifications that differentiate one battery from another: power ratings, usable energy capacity, warranties throughput or cycles, start-up power, and the efficiency of the battery. Unlike solar panels and inverters, though, the stated efficiency of each battery is not necessarily directly comparable to the efficiency of other batteries. Here’s why:

Continue reading →