Solar and Battery Backup Systems

For residential homes, solar and battery backup systems come in a variety of configurations depending on your goals (e.g. lowering bills vs. full backup during outages), budget, and local utility incentives.

Here’s a full breakdown of the main types, plus popular products and what to look for.

☀️🔋 Residential Solar + Battery Backup Systems

🧱 1. Grid-Tied Solar with Battery Backup (Hybrid System)

This is the most common and flexible system:

• Solar panels generate electricity during the day.

• Battery stores excess energy for use at night or during outages.

• Still connected to the utility grid, so you can draw power when needed.

✅ Best for:

• Reducing electric bills

• Having backup power for essentials (fridge, lights, internet, etc.)

⚡ 2. Off-Grid Solar with Battery Backup

A fully independent system with no grid connection. Requires larger battery banks and careful system sizing.

✅ Best for:

• Remote homes or cabins with no grid access

• People seeking energy independence

🟨 Downside: Requires robust storage and power management.

🔌 3. Battery-Only Backup (No Solar)

A battery storage system that charges from the grid, useful for backup during outages without needing solar.

✅ Best for:

• Homes in areas with frequent blackouts

• People who want backup but not full solar yet

🏠 Common Home Battery Brands

Brand / Product	Battery Size (kWh)	Key Features
Tesla Powerwall 3	~13.5 – 13.9 kWh	Sleek design, scalable, solar & backup capable
Enphase IQ Battery	3.36 or 10.08 kWh	Modular, works with Enphase solar microinverters
LG Chem RESU	9.8 – 16 kWh	Compact, compatible with many inverters
Sonnen eco	10 – 20 kWh	Premium option, grid-tied, smart energy usage
Generac PWRcell	9 – 18 kWh	Built-in transfer switch, whole-home backup ready
Bluetti / EcoFlow	Varies (portable)	Portable, plug-and-play options for light backup

🌤️ Popular Solar Panel Brands

Brand	Power Output (W)	Efficiency (%)	Warranty
SunPower	400–440 W	22.8%+	25 years
REC Solar	370–430 W	21–22%	25 years
Q CELLS	380–420 W	20–21%	25 years
Canadian Solar	370–420 W	19–21%	25 years
Tesla Solar Roof	N/A (integrated)	~20%	25 years

🔧 What You Need for a Home Solar + Battery Setup

Component	Purpose
Solar panels	Generate electricity from sunlight
Inverter	Converts solar power to usable AC power
Battery system	Stores energy for use during outages or peak hours
Transfer switch	(Optional) Seamlessly switches between grid and battery
App monitoring	Track energy generation, usage, and battery status

✅ Choosing the Right System

Ask yourself:

• 💡 Do you want full backup or just emergency essentials?

• 🧾 Are you trying to cut electric bills or just have power during outages?

• ☀️ Do you already have solar installed?

• 🛠️ Call Lytle Electric for a consultation and installation