Solar + Storage for Homes - Energy Trust of Oregon

07 Jul.,2025

 

Solar + Storage for Homes - Energy Trust of Oregon

Solar + Storage FAQs

Why is solar + storage better than solar alone?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

If you have a solar system without storage, you will not have power during an outage. Rooftop solar systems are required to turn off during an outage as a safety measure to protect repair crews working on power lines. Solar + storage makes your home energy resilient because it works differently. During an outage, your system safely disconnects your home from the electrical grid and continues to provide you with electricity.

Are incentives available?

Yes, Energy Trust offers cash incentives for qualifying solar and smart battery storage systems to decrease the upfront cost of your project. If you meet income guidelines, you may qualify for Energy Trust Solar Within Reach increased incentives for solar + storage. You may also be eligible for a federal tax credit. An Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor can explain available incentives. Get a free bid.

If I already have solar panels, can I add storage?

Yes, you can add battery storage to existing solar systems. Battery storage added to solar can qualify for Energy Trust incentives and federal tax credits.

Why choose solar + storage instead of just a backup generator?

Other portable and hard-wired backup power systems depend on fossil fuels, but you could run out of fuel during a long outage. With a solar + storage system, the solar panels continue to generate clean, renewable energy to power your essential loads and charge the battery daily. It’s clean, quiet and safe. Plus, solar helps lower your electric bill so you can get benefits from your system every day, not just during power outages.

Will solar + storage power my whole house?

No, battery storage typically won’t power an entire house during an outage. But you can count on it for enough backup power to keep food cold, cell phones charged and lights on. Or you may need backup power to keep critical medical equipment or a well pump operating. You choose which rooms or appliances you want to power. Solar panels produce energy every day to recharge the battery, but the amount available will change depending on the weather, the season and your energy use.

Why is home energy resilience important?

If your home is energy resilient, you will have backup power for important items in your house so you can remain in your home during an outage. Oregonians are vulnerable to a range of natural hazards—from storms and wildfires to earthquakes and tsunamis—that could damage poles, wires or substations. That’s why Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management encourages everyone to be “2 Weeks Ready” so you are prepared to be on your own for a minimum of two weeks in the event of an earthquake or other major incident. Solar + storage can provide you with essential backup power that recharges daily, which will allow you to stay home and shelter-in-place. This can help ease disaster recovery by letting first responders focus on community members in most need.

Inventronics Product Page

Are all storage systems the same?

Battery storage systems vary, from simple battery backup (typically lead acid) that only works during a power outage to more advanced or “smart” systems (typically lithium-ion) that can be used every day and include home energy monitoring. Most advanced systems have a app that shows your real-time energy use and where you’re drawing energy from: your solar panels, battery storage or the grid. Smart storage systems qualify for Energy Trust incentives.

Smart batteries have another advantage: some models enable you to participate in special utility programs such as the PGE Smart Battery Pilot. In addition to earning bill rewards for participating in peak time events, you will also help create a more flexible grid for a clean energy future. When you’re not using it, your battery is part of a community that forms a “virtual power plant.” This strengthens grid reliability and makes it easier to add more clean, renewable power into the grid.

How will I know how much energy is available to use?

The battery storage system will usually tell you. On simple models, it may be an LED screen on the unit itself showing how much energy your battery is holding. More advanced systems can provide updates to your mobile .

Is this the same as going “off grid?”

No. Your home is still connected to the electric utility grid. But solar + storage gives you more control and increases your energy independence so that during an outage you can rely on the energy your solar system produces.

How can I learn if solar + storage is right for my home?

How solar energy and battery storage work - SRP

How are batteries charged?

Depending on how a home solar system is set up, batteries can be charged from your solar system and SRP's grid. Charging from the grid should occur during off-peak hours when the price for electricity is lowest.

How are batteries used?

Batteries are a great way to manage your energy demand and control your energy costs. If your battery has stored energy, you can use this energy during on-peak hours or at night without having to pull power from the SRP power grid.

Backup panels

SRP places great importance on maintaining system reliability. In the rare event of a power outage, an automatic transfer switch (or device that serves the same function) is required to ensure the system operates safely for our crews, customers and the grid. This device will route the power stored in your battery — generated by your solar panels — to your backup panels to power essential household items.

Bidirectional EV charging

New technology is emerging, and we’re seeing more EV manufacturers introduce bidirectional charging capabilities. With bidirectional charging, your EV can be used as a battery for your home energy needs. It’s just another way to store energy and return it to your home or the grid. See EV price plans. If you're planning to install a bidirectional charger, please .

For more Residential Solar Battery Storage Systemsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.