Best Solar Batteries for Home Backup in 2026
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When I installed my first solar panel system back in 2020, I skipped the battery. It was expensive, and I figured net metering would cover my nighttime energy needs. Then came the winter storm of 2021 here in Colorado. Three days without power, frozen pipes, and a family trying to stay warm with blankets — while my perfectly good solar panels sat useless on the roof because they can't operate during a grid outage without a battery.
That experience changed my perspective entirely. I've since installed a Tesla Powerwall and spent the past two years testing, researching, and comparing every major home battery on the market. This guide is built from that firsthand experience, combined with detailed technical analysis and real-world performance data from dozens of homeowner interviews.
Key Takeaway
Best Overall: Tesla Powerwall 3 ($9,200 installed) — Best combination of capacity, features, and price. Best for Enphase Systems: Enphase IQ Battery 5P — Seamless integration with existing Enphase microinverters. Best Budget: Franklin WH aPower ($7,800 installed) — Excellent value with smart features.
Why You Need a Solar Battery in 2026
There are three compelling reasons to add battery storage to your solar system today:
- Backup power during outages: Grid outages are increasing due to extreme weather events. A battery keeps your essential loads running when the grid goes down — something solar panels alone cannot do.
- Maximize self-consumption: Without a battery, excess solar energy goes to the grid for a credit. With a battery, you store that energy and use it at night, reducing your reliance on increasingly expensive grid electricity.
- Time-of-use optimization: Many utilities now charge higher rates during peak hours (4–9 PM). A battery lets you avoid these expensive rates by using stored solar energy instead of grid power during peak times.
Top 5 Solar Batteries Compared
| Battery | Capacity | Power Output | Warranty | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kW | 10 years | $9,200 |
| Enphase IQ 5P | 15 kWh | 7.68 kW | 15 years | $12,500 |
| LG RESU Prime | 16 kWh | 7.0 kW | 10 years | $11,000 |
| Franklin WH aPower | 13.6 kWh | 10 kW | 12 years | $7,800 |
| SolarEdge Home Battery | 9.7 kWh | 5 kW | 10 years | $8,500 |
Prices are approximate and include installation. All batteries qualify for the 30% federal tax credit, which reduces costs by approximately $2,400–$3,750.
Tesla Powerwall 3: The Gold Standard
The Tesla Powerwall 3 remains the most popular home battery in America for good reason. Having lived with one for over a year, I can speak to both its strengths and limitations.
What I Like
- Integrated inverter: The Powerwall 3 includes a built-in solar inverter, eliminating the need for a separate string inverter and reducing total system cost by $1,500–$2,000
- 11.5 kW continuous power: This is the highest continuous power output of any residential battery, capable of running your air conditioner, refrigerator, and other heavy loads simultaneously during an outage
- Tesla app: The monitoring app is best-in-class, showing real-time energy flows, historical data, Storm Watch (automatic charging before severe weather), and intelligent scheduling
- Competitive price: At $9,200 installed for 13.5 kWh, it offers one of the best cost-per-kWh ratios on the market
What Could Be Better
- Installation wait times can be long (4–8 weeks) due to high demand
- Must use Tesla-certified installers, limiting competitive bidding
- 10-year warranty is shorter than Enphase's 15-year warranty
Enphase IQ Battery 5P: Best for Existing Systems
If you already have Enphase microinverters on your roof — and millions of American homeowners do — the IQ Battery 5P is the natural choice. It integrates seamlessly with your existing Enphase ecosystem and offers a category-leading 15-year warranty.
The modular design is another big advantage. Each unit provides 5 kWh of capacity, and you can stack up to four units for 20 kWh total. This means you can start small and add capacity later as your needs change or budget allows. I've recommended this approach to several friends who weren't ready for a full-size battery investment.
The main drawback is price. At $12,500 installed for a 15 kWh configuration (three modules), it's significantly more expensive per kWh than the Powerwall. However, the longer warranty and proven reliability help justify the premium for many buyers.
How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Home
After helping dozens of homeowners make this decision, I've narrowed it down to three key questions:
- What's your primary goal? If it's backup power during outages, prioritize power output (kW) and capacity (kWh). If it's savings through time-of-use optimization, capacity matters more than peak power.
- What equipment do you already have? Match your battery to your existing inverter ecosystem. Enphase with Enphase, SolarEdge with SolarEdge. Mixing brands works but adds complexity and cost.
- What's your budget? After the 30% federal tax credit, a single Powerwall costs about $6,440 net. Franklin WH aPower is even less at $5,460 net. Decide how much backup and savings you need versus what you can afford.
Battery Costs and Tax Credits
The great news for 2026 is that the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) applies to battery storage, even without solar panels. This is a game-changer that was introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act. Here's what the numbers look like:
| Battery | Installed Cost | 30% ITC Credit | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | $9,200 | -$2,760 | $6,440 |
| Enphase IQ 5P (15 kWh) | $12,500 | -$3,750 | $8,750 |
| Franklin WH aPower | $7,800 | -$2,340 | $5,460 |
Learn more about how the tax credit works in our step-by-step tax credit guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tesla Powerwall 3 is the best overall solar battery for most homeowners in 2026, offering 13.5 kWh of usable capacity, an integrated inverter, seamless app control, and a competitive price of around $9,200 installed. However, the Enphase IQ Battery 5P is better for homes with existing Enphase microinverters due to seamless ecosystem integration and a 15-year warranty.
Home solar battery prices in 2026 range from $8,000 to $16,000 installed, depending on the brand, capacity, and installation complexity. The 30% federal tax credit applies to battery storage, reducing the net cost significantly. A single Tesla Powerwall 3 costs approximately $9,200 installed before the tax credit, or $6,440 after.
A single 13.5 kWh battery can power essential loads (refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, phone chargers) for 12–18 hours during an outage. With careful energy management, some homeowners report stretching this to 24+ hours. For whole-home backup including HVAC, you typically need 2–3 batteries.
Yes, most solar batteries can be retrofitted to existing solar panel systems. AC-coupled batteries like the Enphase IQ Battery 5P are particularly easy to add because they work with any existing inverter. DC-coupled batteries require compatible inverters but offer slightly better round-trip efficiency (typically 2–3% higher).
Yes, as of 2026 the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) applies to standalone battery storage systems, even without solar panels. This provision from the Inflation Reduction Act took effect in 2023. A $10,000 battery system would receive a $3,000 tax credit, reducing your net cost to $7,000.