Understanding Solar Batteries

This article explains what a solar battery is, benefits and the next steps if you're interested in purchasing one.

June 22, 2026

As a Palmetto customer, you're already taking a significant step towards a sustainable future with solar energy. Now, you might be wondering how to maximize your energy independence and savings. The answer could be a solar battery.

What is a solar battery?

A solar battery is a device that stores excess energy generated by your solar panels for later use. During sunny periods, your solar panels may produce more electricity than your home consumes. Instead of sending this surplus energy back to the grid, a solar battery allows you to store it. Depending on the type of battery you have, determines how the stored energy is used.

Main battery types

1) Standalone Backup Battery (Currently offered by Palmetto)

• How it works - Stays charged and ready to automatically disconnect from the grid and provide power to your home during an outage.

• Goal - To provide reliable backup power for essential items such as your refrigerator, Wi-Fi, lights, or medical equipment.

• Main Benefit - For homeowners who need continuity during frequent blackouts or emergencies.

2) Arbitrage Battery (Previously offered — no longer available)

• How it works - Charges when electricity is cheapest (often with solar during the day or off-peak grid hours at night) and discharges when electricity is most expensive.

• Goal - Helps homeowners use grid energy at the most cost-effective times

• Main Benefit - Financial savings for homeowners who are subject to Time-of-Use utility rates.

Important Note: An arbitrage battery is not designed for power outages and will not provide backup power when the grid goes down.

Solar battery benefits

Adding a solar battery to your Palmetto solar system offers several key advantages:

• Increased Energy Independence: By storing and utilizing your own solar energy, you gain greater control over your energy usage.

• Backup During Outages: Stay powered during grid failures. A solar battery can keep essential lights, refrigerators, medical devices, and other critical appliances running, providing comfort and security.

• Greater Savings on Utility Bills: By using stored solar energy during peak electricity price periods (if your utility has time-of-use rates), you can avoid paying higher rates for grid-supplied electricity.

• Quieter Backup Power: Unlike traditional gas-powered generators, solar batteries provide silent backup power without producing harmful emissions.

Next steps: Add a battery to your solar system

If you're interested in adding a solar battery to your existing or new Palmetto solar system, here's what to expect:

1. Schedule a Consultation - Our team can assess your energy needs, discuss your goals, and determine the right battery for your home.

2. Receive a Quote - Based on the evaluation, we'll provide a detailed quote that includes the cost of the battery and installation.

3. Choose Financing - Palmetto offers purchase and battery leasing options to help make adding storage more accessible with predictable monthly payments.

Battery leases are offered as stand-alone products and are not incorporated into existing solar lease payments.

4. Site Survey & Permitting - Once your agreement is signed and approved, our trusted installation partner will complete a site survey and handle all required permitting.

5. Installation - The installation team will install the battery and ensure it is properly integrated with your solar system and home electrical setup.

6. Post-Installation Support - After installation, our trusted partners provide ongoing support and monitoring to help ensure your battery performs as expected.

To learn more about home battery backup and how it can enhance your solar system, view Palmetto's Solar Battery Guide.