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Sun-Smart Living – How Solar Batteries Help Net-Zero Homes Save Energy and Stay Powered

As solar panels become more common on rooftops, many homeowners are now asking:
“Should I get a battery with my solar system?”
The answer depends on your energy needs, location, and goals. This blog will walk you through how solar batteries work, how they help, and whether they’re worth it, especially in places like British Columbia.

What Does a Solar Battery Do?
When your solar panels make more energy than you use (usually during the day), that extra power doesn’t go to waste. You can either:

  • Send it to the grid and earn credits through net metering, or
  • Store it in a battery to use later when the sun isn’t shining, for example, in the evening or during a power outage

Without a battery, you must rely on the power grid whenever your solar system isn’t producing enough energy. This can happen at night, on cloudy days, or even during the day if your energy consumption exceeds what your solar panels generate. With a battery, you can store excess solar energy for use whenever needed, providing greater energy independence.

How Does Net Metering Work?
Net metering allows you to send excess solar power to the utility grid and receive bill credits in return. You can use those credits later when you need to draw electricity from the grid. It helps reduce your electricity bills, but you still have to pay a monthly connection fee (around $21.77) for the poles, wires, and infrastructure needed to bring power to your home.

With or Without a Battery: What’s the Difference?

Solar System
Type		 Advantages Limitations
Without Battery
  • Lower cost to install
  • Easier to maintain
  • Can save money through net
    metering
  • No power during outages

  • Still need to use the grid at night, on cloudy days, or in winter
With Battery
  • Keeps some power on during outages
  • More control over your energy use
  • Can use stored solar power anytime
  • Costs more to install
  • May not power everything, depending on battery size
  • The battery might need to be replaced after 10–15 years

Why It’s Not Always Cost-Effective (Especially in BC)
In many parts of British Columbia, particularly in areas served by FortisBC, electricity rates remain constant throughout the day. This means there are no additional savings from using a battery during peak hours, since time-of-use (TOU) pricing is not standard in those regions.

However, BC Hydro does offer an optional TOU rate and is currently running a pilot project to explore its broader use. Although this option is available, it has not yet been widely adopted by most households across the province.

For most homeowners in BC, the primary reason for installing a battery is to provide backup power during power outages. In urban areas like Kelowna, outages are relatively rare and usually short. Batteries tend to be more beneficial in rural or remote communities, where power outages are more
frequent and can last longer. It is also worth noting that during wildfire events, many affected areas are placed under evacuation orders, which means backup power may not be usable if residents are not permitted to stay in their homes.

Energy Security During Emergencies

Canada has been experiencing more extreme weather events that cause power outages. Some significant examples include:

  • In 2025, a major ice storm left over 300,000 people in Ontario without power
  • In 2024, BC Hydro reported a record number of weather-related outages
  • A survey in Kelowna showed 63% of residents expect outages lasting over 24 hours

Having a solar battery means you can still have lights, keep your fridge running, and charge your phone even when the grid is down. This backup power comes from the battery, not from solar panels, since most solar systems do not generate power during outages without a battery.

FortisBC Studies Peak Demand and Batteries Can Help

FortisBC is studying peak demand, when everyone is using power at the same time (usually evening). This can put stress on the power grid. Solar panels help reduce this stress by generating clean power. And batteries can help even more by storing solar energy during the day and using it later, especially during busy evening hours. So, even if you don’t save much money today, your battery helps build a stronger, more reliable grid for everyone.

Next-Gen Home in Kelowna: A Real Example

Payback Period Estimate (Including 5% Annual Electricity Cost Increase) from December 2023 to December 2024, this home:

  • used 9,895 kWh of electricity from the grid
  • sent 9,551 kWh back to the grid

During this period, the homeowner’s annual electricity cost dropped from $2,617.73 (without solar) to $629.67 (with solar). That means the solar system delivered first-year savings of $1,988.06. Assuming FortisBC electricity rates continue to increase by 5% annually, these savings are expected to grow each year.

To estimate the payback period, the following formula was applied:
Payback Period = Number of years until cumulative savings exceed system cost

For the solar system without battery storage, which costs $33,243 upfront, the estimated payback period ranges from 12 to 17 years. For the same system, including a battery (total cost: $46,574), the payback period is approximately 18 to 23 years. The range is due to no escalation or only partial escalation, varying production (e.g., years with poor weather), potential maintenance downtime, or variability in consumption patterns.

It is essential to note that the Next-Gen Home is in Kelowna, which is why these payback estimates are specific to areas served by FortisBC. In these areas, electricity rates are flat throughout the day, and there are currently no local incentives for solar batteries. However, FortisBC does offer a Net Metering Program that allows homeowners to earn credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid, which can help offset future electricity costs.

Solar is still a long-term investment but falling equipment costs and newly available rebates are making it more accessible and practical for many homeowners.

The good news is that in 2025, BC Hydro is offering rebates of up to $5,000 for solar panel installations and an additional $5,000 for battery storage. In some regions, they are also providing complimentary battery installations through a limited pilot program. In addition, federal support is available to make solar energy more accessible. Homeowners may be eligible for a federal interest-free loan, currently available, to help cover the cost of installation.

Smart Operation Modes of Solar Batteries

Today’s solar batteries offer smart features like:

  • Backup Mode – keeps battery full in case of outage
  • Residential Mode – powers your home at night
  • Time-of-Use Mode – uses battery when electricity is most expensive
  • Solar Only Mode – charges battery only from solar (not the grid)

These modes help maximize efficiency and give you more control over your energy use.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

If your main goal is saving money, a battery may not be the best investment right now in most parts of BC unless time-of-use pricing becomes more widely adopted. However, if your priorities include:

  • Greater energy independence
  • Backup power during outages
  • Contributing to local energy generation

Then a solar battery can offer peace of mind and long-term value, even if the financial payback takes more time.

While BC’s electricity is already largely renewable thanks to hydro power, adding solar panels and batteries can still support energy resilience and help reduce peak demand on the grid. It is also important to recognize that the environmental impact of solar technology depends on various factors, including how panels are manufactured and disposed of at the end of their life.

Thinking of going solar or adding a battery?

Look beyond your utility bill. Consider your broader goals, such as achieving self-reliance, preparing for emergencies, or contributing to the shift toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Max Mathies and Bryce Millman from FortisBC for their insights and feedback on this blog.

The Next Generation Home sold in spring 2023 and data is being collected through sensors while the owners live in the house. Findings are being published on wildenlivinglab.com regularly. To follow the Wilden Living Lab, subscribe to the newsletter.

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