Five years ago, we opined homeowners should think twice before investing in a battery. Our reasoning then: The financial arbitrage from net-metering was modest, batteries were expensive, and the technology was still maturing.
We were right then. And we'd be wrong to say the same thing today.
The calculus has changed — substantially — on every dimension. Let us explain.
What Changed
Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0). Under the old net-metering rules, your solar system could "bank" excess energy with PG&E at full retail rates and draw it down at night. The grid was, effectively, a free battery. Under the Net Billing Tariff implemented in April 2023, excess solar sent to the grid earns you roughly 5–8 cents per kilowatt-hour. You then buy that same electricity back at night for 40+ cents per kWh. The grid is no longer a free battery. A real battery, in your garage, is now potentially a smart choice.
PG&E rates have risen dramatically. Your incentive to store your own solar energy and avoid buying from PG&E grows every year. At current rates, every kilowatt-hour you self-consume rather than buy from PG&E saves you 40 cents or more. A battery that holds 10–15 kWh, cycled daily, generates meaningful savings.
PSPS events and grid reliability. Public Safety Power Shutoffs have become a fact of life in California. While Yolo County's agricultural buffer has offered some protection, our community continues to experience outages. A battery provides genuine energy security — not just an economic benefit.
The Technology Is No Longer in Its Model T Days
In 2021, we tendered we were "in the Model T days of residential batteries." We meant the technology was unproven and early adopters accepted bumps in the road. That is no longer true.
Tesla, Enphase, and Franklin provide mature, field-proven energy storage systems. We have installed dozens of battery systems in Yolo County homes over the past few years, and the performance + financial outcomes have been exceptional.
What a Battery Actually Does for You
A properly sized battery, paired with solar, does three things simultaneously in 2026:
First, it stores excess solar energy generated during the day and uses it at night — the key economic benefit under the Net Billing Tariff.
Second, it provides backup power during grid outages. When the grid goes down, your battery (and solar panels) keep critical loads running: your refrigerator, lights, phone chargers, internet router, and in many cases a medical device or electric vehicle charger.
Third, it helps further hedge against PG&E rate inflation by maximizing the value of your solar-generated electricity and mitigating exposure to PG&E’s rates. (Generally, the amortized cost to produce solar is in the $0.10-0.12/kWh range.)
Our Contemporary Recommendation
We are no longer agnostic about batteries. For most Yolo County homeowners going solar in 2026, we recommend commissioning an energy storage system. The economic case is now clear, the technology is proven, and the resilience value is real.
That said, we remain committed to helping you evaluate this honestly, not sell you something you don't need. We will size a system around your actual electricity usage and backup priorities — not a one-size-fits-all package.
Schedule your free battery + solar assessment today.
