Home battery storage for California homeowners — Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge,
and Enphase. $0-down battery lease through LightReach, purchase financing
through GoodLeap and EnFin, and territory-specific rebates including SMUD's
up to $5,400 per Powerwall for qualifying homeowners. Serving PG&E, SMUD,
SCE, and Pioneer Community Energy territories across Northern and Central
California.
Stay Powered.
No Matter What.
California's grid isn't getting more reliable. PSPS events, atmospheric river outages, and rising peak rates are making home battery storage a practical investment — not just a nice-to-have. We install Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, and Enphase batteries across California with $0-down options available.
No pressure · No credit pull to get started · Free estimate · Serving PG&E, SMUD & SCE territories
What a home battery does for you
Batteries we install
The Grid Is Less Reliable.
Rates Keep Going Up.
California's grid outage problem isn't going away. Atmospheric river storms, PSPS shutoffs, and aging infrastructure mean power interruptions are more frequent and longer-lasting than they were a decade ago. At the same time, PG&E and SCE rates are climbing every year — and NEM 3.0 has made solar-only systems far less valuable without storage. A home battery addresses both problems at once.
Outage Protection
When the grid goes down your battery takes over automatically — within milliseconds. Lights, refrigerator, Wi-Fi, medical equipment, and EV charging continue without interruption. Most homeowners don't even notice the switch.
Peak Rate Savings
PG&E and SCE charge peak rates between 4pm and 9pm — the exact window when most households use the most power. A battery charges during off-peak hours and discharges during peak hours, cutting your bill without changing how you live.
NEM 3.0 Optimization
Under NEM 3.0, solar systems export excess energy to PG&E at very low rates during the day. A battery stores that excess instead — letting you use your own solar energy in the evening at full value rather than selling it cheap.
Rate Hedge
Every unit of grid power you avoid buying is a unit you're not exposed to PG&E's next rate increase. California electricity rates have risen an average of 7–9% annually. A battery compounds in value every year rates go up.
Battery Value by Territory
The financial case for a battery varies by utility. Here's how it stacks up across the territories we serve — and what makes each market unique.
PG&E rates are among the highest in the US — 40¢+/kWh at peak. NEM 3.0 makes storage essential for solar ROI. PSPS outage risk in Foothills and rural areas is high. Battery + solar is the optimal stack for most PG&E homeowners.
SMUD offers a battery rebate up to $5,400 per Powerwall (verify at smud.org — amounts subject to change) plus $440/yr per Powerwall in the Virtual Power Plant program. Two Powerwalls stacks to $880/yr in VPP income on top of backup and savings value.
SCE rates rival PG&E in peak periods. Central Valley heat drives summer AC loads that a battery can offset during peak hours. NEM 3.0 applies — storage maximizes solar value the same way as PG&E territory.
Typical monthly bill impact — solar + battery vs. solar only
Estimates vary by home size, usage, and utility. Based on typical NorCal/Central CA households. Actual savings confirmed at time of system design.
Three Best-in-Class Options.
One Right Fit for Your Home.
We install Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, and Enphase home batteries across California. Each has a different strengths — here's what you need to know to choose the right one for your home, your solar setup, and your goals.
Tesla Energy
Powerwall 3
per unit
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is the most recognized home battery on the market — and for good reason. It integrates seamlessly with solar, includes a built-in inverter, and can be stacked up to 4 units for whole-home backup. The Powerwall 3 is the only battery eligible for SMUD's Virtual Power Plant program, earning Sacramento area homeowners $440/year per unit in VPP income. It handles whole-home backup including HVAC in most California homes.
SolarEdge
Home
Battery
per unit (up to 3 stackable)
The SolarEdge Home Battery is purpose-built to pair with SolarEdge inverter systems — the most widely installed residential solar inverter in California. If you have SolarEdge solar, adding a SolarEdge battery is the cleanest, most efficient upgrade: single app, single warranty conversation, and no compatibility guesswork. Up to three batteries can be stacked for expanded storage. Excellent choice for homeowners who already have a SolarEdge solar system and want to add storage.
Enphase Energy
IQ Battery
5 kWh per unit · stackable
Enphase IQ batteries are modular and purpose-built for Enphase microinverter systems — the second most widely deployed residential solar system in California. The key advantage is resilience: because each module operates independently, partial failure of one unit doesn't affect the others. This makes Enphase the most reliable choice for homeowners prioritizing uptime and redundancy. The system is all-AC coupled, works with any solar setup, and scales easily by adding units over time.
How Many Batteries Do You Need?
Battery sizing depends on what you want to power and for how long. Here's a simple starting point — we'll calculate your exact recommendation based on your home size, utility, and usage during your free estimate.
Powers critical circuits for 8–14 hours depending on usage.
Whole-home backup for 12–24 hours including moderate HVAC use.
Full home backup including EV charging, pool equipment, and sustained HVAC.
Get a Battery Without
Paying for It Upfront
From $0-down leases to purchase financing and territory-specific rebates — there's a path to battery storage that fits most California homeowners' situations. We walk through every option at no charge during your free estimate.
LightReach Battery Lease — $0 Down
The LightReach Battery Lease lets you add a home battery with no upfront cost, no purchase required, and monitoring and maintenance included. Pay a fixed monthly amount — LightReach owns and services the battery, you get the backup and savings benefits from day one.
See full terms, eligibility,
and monthly payment details
LightReach Lease
No purchase, no upfront cost. LightReach owns and maintains the battery. You pay a fixed monthly lease and receive all the backup and savings benefits. Battery-only — solar not required.
Purchase — Cash
Buy the battery outright. You own it, claim any available incentives directly, and eliminate the monthly lease payment. Best long-term ROI for homeowners who can pay cash or use home equity.
Purchase — Financed
Finance the battery purchase through GoodLeap or EnFin. You own the system, keep all incentives, and spread the cost over monthly payments. Requires 650+ credit score for most loan products.
SMUD Battery Rebate — Sacramento Area Homeowners
SMUD offers a rebate of up to $5,400 per Powerwall for qualifying homeowners who purchase and install a Tesla Powerwall (cap $10K per household). Enroll within 90 days of Permission to Operate. Additionally, SMUD's Virtual Power Plant program pays $440/year per Powerwall in ongoing VPP income — Tesla only. Two Powerwalls = up to ~$8K in rebates + $880/yr VPP. Full SMUD rebate details →
Rebate amounts subject to change. Always verify current amounts at smud.org before committing.
(verify at smud.org)
VPP program income
Which Path Fits You?
| Option | Upfront cost | You own it | SMUD rebate | Maintenance | Solar required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LightReach Lease | $0 | No | No | Included | No |
| Purchase — Cash | Full cost | Yes | Yes | Your responsibility | No |
| Purchase — Financed | Low/none | Yes | Yes | Your responsibility | No |
We identify the best path for your home, utility, and budget — at no charge, no pressure.
From Quote to Powered Up — Here's What to Expect
Getting a home battery installed is straightforward. Most projects complete within 30–45 days of signing — and the system is typically working the same day it's installed.
Free Quote
Tell us your utility, home size, and goals. We design the right system and financing path — no obligation.
System Design
We size your battery to your usage, backup goals, and solar setup — or standalone if you don't have solar yet.
Permits & Approval
Solar Savings Direct handles all permits, utility interconnection paperwork, and HOA approval if needed.
Installation
Typically 1 day. Licensed crew installs the battery, connects to your panel, and walks you through the app.
Go Live
System activates same day. You're backed up, saving on peak rates, and monitoring everything from your phone.
Six Types of Homeowners Who Get the Most From a Battery
A battery isn't the right fit for everyone — but for these six situations, it's one of the highest-ROI home improvements available in California right now.
PSPS & Outage-Prone Areas
If you've lost power during a PG&E PSPS shutoff or a storm, you know the cost — spoiled food, medical device stress, lost work. A battery eliminates that vulnerability. Particularly high value in the Foothills, Solano County wind zones, and rural PG&E areas.
Medical Equipment at Home
CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, home dialysis, and insulin refrigeration can't wait out a 12-hour outage. A battery provides the reliable backup power medical households need — and may qualify for enhanced SGIP medical baseline incentives through certain programs.
Existing Solar Owners — NEM 3.0
If you have solar on PG&E or SCE under NEM 3.0, adding a battery transforms your system. Instead of exporting cheap during the day and buying expensive at 6pm, you store your own power and use it when it's worth the most. Storage is the missing half of NEM 3.0 solar.
SMUD Homeowners — Rebate + VPP
Sacramento area homeowners have a uniquely stacked incentive: up to $5,400/Powerwall in rebates, plus $440/year per Powerwall in VPP program income — Tesla only. Two Powerwalls means up to $8K in rebates and $880/yr ongoing. This combination doesn't exist in any other California utility territory.
High Summer AC Load Homes
Central Valley and Sacramento homes running AC at 4pm are paying peak rates — 40¢+/kWh on PG&E. A battery pre-charges off-peak and powers your home during the peak window, cutting your bill without changing anything about how you live. Highest savings in the hottest zip codes.
EV Owners — Overnight Charging
Charging an EV overnight from a battery filled with solar or cheap off-peak grid power saves more than most homeowners expect. Combine solar production during the day → battery storage → EV charge overnight and you're effectively driving on sun for a fraction of what grid charging costs at peak.
10 Years. 400+ Deals.
Every California Utility.
Solar With Watts operates as a sales and design partner of Solar Savings Direct (CSLB #1065773) — a construction-first EPC that handles all battery installations in-house with no subcontracting. Between us we've closed 400+ home energy deals across PG&E, SMUD, SCE, and Pioneer territory.
- Licensed EPC partner — Solar Savings Direct CSLB #1065773
- All installations done in-house — no subcontracting
- 10 years California solar and battery sales experience
- 400+ closed home energy deals across all major CA utilities
- Tesla Powerwall, SolarEdge, and Enphase certified install
- LightReach battery lease authorized dealer
- SMUD rebate and VPP enrollment guidance included
- Serving PG&E, SMUD, SCE, and Pioneer Community Energy
Service Territory
Home Battery FAQs — California Homeowners
The questions we hear most before homeowners get their first battery quote — answered straight, no sales spin.
Ready to Stay Powered
No Matter What?
Get a free home battery quote — we'll size the right system for your home, identify your best financing path, and calculate your exact savings and payback. No pressure, no obligation.
Solar With Watts · Shingle Springs, CA · Installation by Solar Savings Direct CSLB #1065773