Already Have Solar? Adding a Battery to Your Existing System in Phoenix & Tucson

You went solar to cut your power bill. But if your panels send a lot of power back to the grid during the day, you may be getting less for it than you think. Arizona's export rates keep dropping, and the fix doesn't require a new solar system. It just takes a battery.

What's happening with Arizona export rates

Arizona hasn't had true net metering in years. Utilities credit exported solar at an export rate that's well below what you pay for power, and the Arizona Corporation Commission can lower it by up to 10% a year. For APS customers, the export rate for new interconnections dropped about 10% this fall, to roughly 5.5¢ per kWh. TEP's export rate sits in a similar range.

Meanwhile, the power you buy back in the evening, during on-peak hours, costs several times that. Selling cheap at noon and buying expensive at 6 p.m. is where solar savings leak.

How a battery fixes it

A battery stores your extra midday solar instead of exporting it. When the sun goes down and peak pricing kicks in, your home runs on stored solar instead of the grid. You buy less expensive power, export less cheap power and get more value from the panels you already own.

You also get backup power during outages, which matters during monsoon storms and summer heat, when an outage is more than an inconvenience.

Can I add a battery to my system?

Almost always, yes. Empower adds batteries to existing solar systems no matter who installed them. During a site visit we look at:

• Your inverter: some systems connect a battery on the AC side (AC-coupled), others on the DC side
• Your electrical panel: whether it has room or needs an upgrade
• Your usage: how much evening power you use, which determines battery size
• Backup goals: whole-home backup or just the essentials
• Utility paperwork: we handle the interconnection application with APS or TEP

Will adding a battery change my export rate?

This is the right question to ask. Systems generally keep the export rate they had when they connected, but changes to your system can trigger a new interconnection review. We'll confirm how your utility treats your specific setup before anything changes.

Monitor your solar and battery together

Once you have a battery, you'll want to know it's charging and discharging the way it should. Empower's Platinum Monitoring ($49.99/mo) watches your panels and battery in real time, includes a free annual visit and tune-up and an electrical panel inspection and takes 15% off PV and battery service. Basic Monitoring ($14.99/mo) covers 24/7 monitoring and remote troubleshooting. See the Solar Monitoring Plans.

FAQ

Is a solar battery worth it in Arizona? As export rates drop, a battery lets you use more of your own solar instead of selling it cheaply. For most homes that export a lot during the day, it's one of the most effective upgrades available.

Can you add a battery if another company installed my solar? Yes. Empower adds batteries to existing systems regardless of the original installer.

How long does a battery install take? Usually a single day on site, plus time for permits and utility approval.

Find out what a battery could save you

Book a free battery assessment with Empower in Phoenix or Tucson. Call (602) 581-7022 or visit empoweryourhome.com.