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Adding battery storage is one of the most effective ways to protect a home during outages.
Photo Credit: iStock
Homeowners who already have rooftop solar may have an easier path to backup power during blackouts — without having to replace the equipment they already paid for.
That could make battery storage much more accessible for people seeking greater control over their energy use and more protection when the grid goes down.
According to The Manila Times, Enphase Energy said homeowners in the United States and Canada with solar systems from other brands can add the company’s IQ Battery 10C and whole-home backup while leaving their existing rooftop solar equipment in place.
The company said the system pairs the IQ Battery 10C with the IQ Combiner 6C and IQ Meter Collar. Enphase said the battery provides 10 kilowatt-hours of usable capacity and 7.08 kilowatts of continuous power, while the combiner supports up to 15.4 kVA of third-party solar already installed on a home.
Enphase also emphasized a simpler backup setup. The IQ Meter Collar is installed behind the utility meter, allowing whole-home backup without the need for a separate backup subpanel or extensive load rewiring, and it is qualified with 71 utilities across the U.S. and Canada.
If you’re curious about whether a battery makes sense for your home, it may be worth exploring EnergySage’s free tools to compare home battery storage options and competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has also teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
Adding battery storage is one of the most effective ways to protect a home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid for stretches when conditions allow. Batteries can store extra solar power generated during the day and make it available after sunset or during emergency outages, which can be especially helpful during extreme weather.
A large number of homes already have solar panels installed, but many still do not include backup batteries. During a blackout, that can mean solar by itself is not enough to keep a house running unless it is connected to storage and the necessary backup equipment.
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When the grid goes down, a home’s existing third-party solar setup can continue producing electricity and charging the battery. Enphase also said that if the battery is depleted overnight, solar generation after sunrise can replenish it and help support the home through a longer outage.
For some California homeowners on legacy NEM 1.0 and 2.0 plans, it may be possible to add Enphase solar configured for self-consumption along with battery storage and still preserve current rate benefits, depending on utility rules.
It also said homeowners who add a battery to an existing solar system may qualify for grid-services incentives, including programs such as San Diego Community Power’s Solar Battery Savings program.
Enphase is expanding its battery and backup offerings so they can work with homes that already use other solar brands. That may reduce upgrade costs and hassle by letting homeowners keep their current panels while adding backup capability, energy management, and app-based monitoring.
For people who do not need a full-house system, Pila is another company offering excellent battery backup options. Its plug-and-play batteries are priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost, giving renters and homeowners a more flexible entry point.
Battery storage can make solar useful around the clock instead of limiting its benefits to daytime savings. Beyond helping keep lights, refrigeration, and internet running during an outage, batteries can reduce how much expensive electricity a home pulls from the grid at peak times.
Ian Lochore, vice president and general manager of the PV division at Baker Home Energy, summed up the appeal this way: “Homeowners want backup and more control over their energy, and many of them already have solar.”
“Being able to add an IQ Battery 10C to a non-Enphase system and give the homeowner one app for the whole system is a clear win,” Lochore said.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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