When it comes to the energy transition, residential solar is a giant piece of the puzzle. More than 20% of the United States’ solar energy capacity lives on residential rooftops, and we have solar installers and homeowners to thank for that.
But for homeowners and solar installers alike, the challenge of getting the most out of a rooftop solar system is evolving. As energy policies change and utility rates fluctuate (we’re looking at you, NEM 3.0 👀), it’s no longer enough to rely solely on solar panels to optimize energy savings.
In response, homeowners are turning to battery storage to maximize the value of their rooftop solar installations. But with rising costs and installation complexities, finding the right storage solution can feel daunting. That’s where innovative technologies, like appliances with integrated batteries, come into play.
Today, we’re exploring how battery-integrated appliances offer a new, cost-effective opportunity for homeowners and solar installers in a shifting energy landscape.
California and NEM 3.0: a peek into the challenges facing solar
When we talk about rooftop solar, it’s helpful to start with California, which has the most rooftop solar of any state. If you’ve looked into purchasing — or providing — a rooftop solar system in California any time in the last two years, it’s likely that you’ve come across the term “NEM 3.0”.
NEM3, or Net Energy Metering 3.0, is a 2023 California policy that changed the rate at which you can sell your surplus solar energy back to your utility. NEM 3.0 has presented a real challenge to the solar industry in California, since the financial rewards for sending excess solar energy back to the grid have been slashed by about 75%.
According to the California Solar and Storage Association (CalSSA), the impact has been significant. Monthly solar sales have dropped by as much as 85% since NEM 3.0 took effect, and this downturn and accompanying job losses has hit small solar companies especially hard.
But with the challenge of NEM 3.0 comes new opportunities.
Is solar plus storage the answer?
As more homeowners figure out how to maximize their investment in solar power in a shifting policy landscape, a new trend is emerging: battery attachment rates are skyrocketing.
More homeowners are recognizing the value of battery storage as a way to not only avoid sending excess solar power back to the grid at reduced rates but also as a tool for energy independence and backup during grid outages. By pairing solar panels with battery storage, homeowners can:
- maximize their investment by storing surplus power for later use
- reduce their reliance on the utility grid during peak pricing periods or emergencies
- ensure greater control over their energy consumption
And all this added value to homeowners is good news for solar installers. Solar-plus-storage systems are larger and offer greater value than solar alone, making them a powerful upselling and upsizing opportunity for installers.
The catch, as usual, is cost. Sticker prices for solar plus storage systems have increased, and these set-ups can also come with larger installation costs and longer lead-times. This makes it more important than ever to find innovative storage solutions that can reduce costs and simplify the process.
Ok, so this is where the stoves come in. (Yeah, I said stoves)
Here at Impulse, we’re working on a solution that brings energy storage within reach — and delights residents at the same time.
We make appliances with integrated batteries — our first product, the Impulse Cooktop, is a 30” induction cooktop with a built-in 3 kWh battery. (For a sense of scale, that’s about 1/4 the size of a Tesla Powerwall).
Impulse appliances offer an entirely new way to integrate storage into your home. And it comes with perks that help overcome many of the barriers of traditional energy storage:
Here’s why:
- Easier Installation: Our stoves can easily be installed on either a 120v plug-in or 240v hardwired connection. This means we are compatible with your home’s existing wiring, which makes installation simpler and more affordable. For installers, this means one less logistical challenge when adding battery storage, and for homeowners, it’s a smoother and quicker process with less disruption.
- Cost Effectiveness: Integrated battery systems are less expensive than traditional, standalone batteries because the cost is built into the appliance itself. This makes it a more accessible option for homeowners who might be hesitant about the high price tag of separate storage units.
- Flexible Retrofit: For homeowners who already have solar but no battery, retrofitting a storage solution like ours can add new value to your existing system without the complexities of a full battery installation. For installers, this creates an additional service opportunity, especially as retrofits are becoming more common.
Whether or not you live or work in California, NEM 3.0 has surfaced an important lesson for the renewable energy industry: storage makes residential rooftop solar more valuable to homeowners and installers.
If you’re a homeowner looking to future-proof your energy system, or a contractor seeking to offer your clients more value, appliances with integrated batteries are a compelling option. These solutions provide flexibility, affordability, and a way to navigate the changing energy landscape with confidence.
These trends in storage attachment rates compounded with rising battery costs can either present a challenge, or an opportunity for those willing to think outside the box.
Here at Impulse, we’re excited to be partnering with some of the most innovative solar installers in the country to help build the most energy resilient, efficient homes of the future. If you’re a solar installer or homeowner looking to do the same, reach out to us at enterprise@impulselabs.com or pre-order your Impulse Cooktop here.