Home Battery Storage
A home battery stores electricity for later use. Households typically install batteries to power essential circuits during a Public Safety Power Shutoff or other outage and to shift electricity use away from higher-cost hours.
How It Works
A home battery charges from the grid, from solar panels, or both. When the power goes out, it switches over automatically and powers the connected circuits until the grid returns or the battery is depleted. Most installations back up selected circuits through a separate critical loads panel rather than the whole home. A typical home battery holds about 10 to 15 kilowatt-hours. Essential loads such as a refrigerator, lighting, and internet equipment can often be powered for two to three days, while central air conditioning or electric heating can deplete a battery within hours.
Most grid-tied solar systems shut down during an outage to protect utility workers; a battery with backup capability allows the solar system to keep operating and recharge the battery during the day. With time-of-use rates, a battery can also charge during lower-cost hours and discharge during higher-cost evening hours. Some electric vehicles can serve as an alternative to a home battery. An EV battery typically holds several times as much energy as a home battery, and compatible vehicles can power devices through built-in outlets or, with bidirectional charging equipment installed by a licensed electrician, power selected home circuits (see Electric Vehicles and Charging). Portable power stations are a lower-cost option for running a refrigerator and charging devices.
Households with someone who depends on powered medical equipment may be eligible for SCE’s Medical Baseline program.
