Should rooftop solar energy be paired with storage?

Pairing rooftop solar energy with storage can provide renewable backup power during outages and has the potential to contribute to day-to-day grid reliability. Because distributed energy resources (DERs) are located over a broader geographic area, they are not as sensitive to localized threats.

Are rooftop solar panels or battery energy storage systems worth the cost?

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers are here to help. Homeowners must navigate a quagmire of complicated policies to determine whether the energy savings from rooftop solar panels or battery energy storage systems (BESS) are worth the high upfront cost.

What are rooftop solar energy systems?

Rooftop solar energy systems keep power production and related economic opportunities close to home, enabling greater consumer choice in electricity supply. When solar systems are paired with larger battery systems, households and businesses can increase their energy resilience.

Are rooftop solar and battery energy storage a barrier to adoption?

Even with the benefits of rooftop solar and battery energy storage, the upfront cost of these systems is still a barrier to adoption. In some cases, especially for BESS, the time it takes for a homeowner to recoup the cost of the system with energy savings is longer than the lifetime of the technology itself.

Why is rooftop solar important?

Residential buildings with rooftop solar installations. Check out the other Connect the Dots themes: Rooftop solar energy is an important part of energy innovation that can enhance economic growth, support energy independence, and improve the health and well-being of the American people. Learn why energy innovation matters.

Do rooftop solar panels save money?

While rooftop solar systems cost more per kilowatt than utility-scale systems, in many areas of the country they offer households an opportunity to save money on electricity costs. Additional research in solar panel design, energy yield, grid integration, and permitting could reduce costs and enable greater savings for consumers.