Leading the Move to Energy Storage
Synergy leads the industry in solar battery systems and has installed them for over a decade. We stay ahead by adopting new battery technology as it develops. Batteries provide so much value that we stopped installing solar without storage in 2019. We still make rare exceptions, but storage has become the standard for most projects. This shift reflects rising utility rates, new tariffs, and the growing need for energy resilience. Synergy’s experience helps homeowners choose systems that fit their goals and protect their investment.
Utility Tariffs
Utilities use tariffs to determine how they credit exported solar power. The first tariff was NEM1 and the second was NEM2. New customers now use the Net Billing Tariff, called NBT. Homeowners who lose their original NEM status also move to NBT. These changing tariffs strongly affect solar savings. Batteries help reduce the impact of lower export rates under newer tariff structures. Understanding these rules helps homeowners make better decisions about storage.
Two Fundamental Designs
Battery systems follow two main designs and each design supports different goals. A backup battery powers selected loads when the grid fails. A savings battery stores excess solar and lowers your bill. Savings batteries discharge during expensive peak periods and at night. Under NEM1 and NEM2, savings were modest. Under NBT, savings batteries have become essential. They increase bill offset and shorten payback. A backup system under NBT needs a larger battery to handle outages and self-consumption. You can add backup ability later without changing your NEM or NBT status.
Understanding Battery Sizing
Battery sizing uses two ratings: kW and kWh. kW measures how much power a battery can deliver at once. kWh measures how long the battery can deliver that power. These ratings guide proper design choices. If you want more detail, we created a separate blog that explains these units that you can read here. Reviewing those basics can help you better understand the designs below.
Backup Battery Design
A backup battery system powers key loads during a grid outage. This design usually needs more equipment and a larger battery. It uses a transfer switch to isolate your home from the grid during outages. This protects utility workers and meets code requirements. We move essential circuits into a backup loads panel during installation. These circuits often include refrigeration, lighting, and internet. Most backup systems also support daily self-consumption. A backup reserve protects stored energy for outages. If you set a 70% reserve, the system cycles only 30% each day to save money and will always have 70% available for outages.
Meter Collars for Whole-Home Backup
New meter-collar products now support whole-home backup at a lower cost. They reduce extra equipment and installation labor. They also power more loads during outages. Some systems require more monitoring because more loads can run at once. Several manufacturers now offer smart controls. These controls automatically turn off large loads when the grid fails. This protects the battery and extends runtime during long outages.
Savings (Grid-Tied) Battery Design
A savings battery focuses on bill reduction instead of outage protection. It stores extra solar produced during the day and discharges during peak pricing. It also can run at night when solar is not available. Savings batteries do not require a transfer switch or a backup loads panel. Some systems, like Enphase, remove the transfer switch (system controller or meter collar) which reduces labor and material cost. Savings systems do not hold energy for outages. They often discharge down to 5% and use more capacity each day. This lets homeowners choose a smaller and more affordable battery.