Home Energy Decisions

Upgrade hub

Solar & batteries

A homeowner framework for deciding when solar (and batteries) pay off—based on your roof, utility rates, and upgrade sequence.

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What this topic covers

Solar can be an excellent investment, but it’s not a universal win. The same system can be a great deal in one utility territory and mediocre in another.

The biggest drivers are your electricity rate structure, net metering policy, roof constraints, and whether you’ll increase electric usage over time (heat pump, EV, induction).

Quick wins (highest ROI moves)

Start with your actual utility rate plan and billing structure (not generic $/kWh averages).
Fix obvious envelope leaks before sizing solar for future loads—reducing usage can be cheaper than buying more panels.
If outages matter, price batteries as resilience first (payback second).
Compare offers on an apples-to-apples basis: cash price, production estimate, escalators, and warranties.

A sensible sequence

1) Understand your bill and rate plan

Time-of-use rates, demand charges, and fixed fees all change solar economics. Know what portion of your bill solar can actually offset.

2) Reduce waste before you size the system

Air sealing, insulation, and smart HVAC sizing reduce the energy you need to generate. That can let you install a smaller system—or hit the same bill reduction with less hardware.

3) Check roof + shading constraints

Production is constrained by shade, orientation, and roof condition. If you’ll need a roof replacement soon, do it before panels.

4) Decide on batteries based on goals

If you want backup power, batteries can be worth it even when pure payback is slower. If your goal is bill savings, batteries usually need a favorable rate plan (or incentives) to pencil out.

5) Compare proposals the right way

Ask for the cash price, realistic production assumptions, degradation, warranty terms, and a clear explanation of incentives. Avoid offers that hide the real price behind monthly payments.

Tools to run the numbers

Use these to turn guidance into a personalized plan.

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Upgrade Timing

Sequence upgrades so solar fits the bigger plan (and isn’t oversized).

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Bill Breakdown

Get a clean baseline before you model solar offsets.

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My Plan

Build a roadmap that accounts for electrification and solar timing.

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Recommended reading

Hand-picked guides that go deeper on the common decisions.

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Costs + savings method (how to do the math)

A plain-English approach to payback and savings calculations.

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Energy upgrades by budget

How to prioritize projects when money is limited (and solar competes for capital).

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How to read your utility bill

Understand the rate details that drive solar ROI.

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How to plan home energy upgrades

A sequencing guide so solar fits your whole-home plan.

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FAQ

Is solar worth it for my home?

It depends on your rates, net metering policy, roof constraints, and install price. Start with your current bill structure, then evaluate realistic production and payback using a consistent method.

Should I get a battery?

If resilience/backup power matters, batteries can be worth it even when payback is slower. For pure bill savings, batteries usually need time-of-use arbitrage or strong incentives to make sense.

Should I electrify before solar?

Often yes. If you’re planning a heat pump or EV, it can change your annual kWh and the right system size. Reducing waste (air sealing/insulation) first can also shrink the system you need.

Want the fastest path to action?

If you want a now/next/later roadmap tailored to your home, start with the My Plan tool.

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