Solar + Storage

Dollars & Sense

• Incentives: NY-Sun helps you save money on your solar panels with incentives and financing options.
• Federal tax credits: Claim your solar installation on your tax return to get federal tax credits for up to 30% of the cost. Get additional federal tax credits when you add energy storage to your solar installation project for 30% of the energy storage cost.
• Credits: Get additional credits from your utility by “selling back” your stored energy during “peak demand periods” (like hot summer days).
• Long Island residents can get additional financial help for their energy storage projects by taking advantage of Long Island Power Authority’s storage incentives.

Benefits & Considerations

• Resiliency: With energy storage, you get backup power to run your essential appliances during a power outage without burning a fossil fuel generator.
• Cost-Effective: You can choose to store your excess solar energy for later use rather than selling it back to the grid.
• Comfort: Energy storage systems don’t make any noise, unlike noisy backup generators.
• Convenience: Energy storage systems require very little maintenance once they are installed.

Questions for Your Contractor

• What size should my energy storage system be?
• How many batteries will I need to power my whole home?
• Where will my system be located?
• What circuits or appliances can I back up with my system during a grid outage?
• How long will the battery last in an outage?
• What can I do to extend the lifespan of the system?
• Are there demand response programs available to me through my local utility?
• What payment options do you offer for the system?
• What warranty or guarantee do you provide for your work?
• Can you please provide references?

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of storage technologies are available?

Storage options include batteries, thermal, or mechanical systems. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common with homeowners. Learn more about the different energy storage technologies in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Storage Handbook.

What does an energy storage battery look like?

A battery storage system looks like a box mounted on the wall or a small cabinet mounted outside your home. The units are self-contained and operate automatically, so you don’t need to worry about flipping switches or plugging things in when the power goes out. The system should be monitored remotely by the installer through an Internet or cell connection to alert you if anything requires maintenance.

Where can an energy storage battery be placed?

Generally, a storage system will be placed near your home’s circuit breaker panel, on a wall of a garage, attached to your house, or on a concrete pad located near your home.

Is battery energy storage safe?

Lithium-ion systems are the most common type of residential storage backup power, with tens of thousands of systems already installed. This is the same type of battery in your cell phone — but energy storage batteries include multiple levels of monitoring and system protections to keep things running smoothly. As with any device or appliance, safety risks cannot be reduced to zero. Electrical and fire codes and industry standards set the minimum safety requirements that must be met.