Do I need battery storage for my solar system?

Wolf River Electric2025-05-29T02:02:01-05:00May 29, 2025|FAQ: Residential Solar|

No, batteries are optional for most homeowners and primarily useful if you want backup power or greater energy independence.

Join the Solarbration

img:is([sizes="auto" i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-audio :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-audio{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-code{border:1px solid #ccc;border-radius:4px;font-family:Menlo,Consolas,monaco,monospace;padding:.8em 1em;}.wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-embed :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-embed{margin:0 0 1em;}.blocks-gallery-caption{color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .blocks-gallery-caption{color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}:root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme :root :where(.wp-block-image figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-image{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-pullquote{border-bottom:4px solid;border-top:4px solid;color:currentColor;margin-bottom:1.75em;}.wp-block-pullquote cite,.wp-block-pullquote footer,.wp-block-pullquote__citation{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;text-transform:uppercase;}.wp-block-quote{border-left:.25em solid;margin:0 0 1.75em;padding-left:1em;}.wp-block-quote cite,.wp-block-quote footer{color:currentColor;font-size:.8125em;font-style:normal;position:relative;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-right){border-left:none;border-right:.25em solid;padding-left:0;padding-right:1em;}.wp-block-quote:where(.has-text-align-center){border:none;padding-left:0;}.wp-block-quote.is-large,.wp-block-quote.is-style-large,.wp-block-quote:where(.is-style-plain){border:none;}.wp-block-search .wp-block-search__label{font-weight:700;}.wp-block-search__button{border:1px solid #ccc;padding:.375em .625em;}:where(.wp-block-group.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em;}.wp-block-separator.has-css-opacity{opacity:.4;}.wp-block-separator{border:none;border-bottom:2px solid;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.wp-block-separator.has-alpha-channel-opacity{opacity:1;}.wp-block-separator:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){width:100px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-dots){border-bottom:none;height:1px;}.wp-block-separator.has-background:not(.is-style-wide):not(.is-style-dots){height:2px;}.wp-block-table{margin:0 0 1em;}.wp-block-table td,.wp-block-table th{word-break:normal;}.wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-table :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:#555;font-size:13px;text-align:center;}.is-dark-theme .wp-block-video :where(figcaption){color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);}.wp-block-video{margin:0 0 1em;}:root :where(.wp-block-template-part.has-background){margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding:1.25em 2.375em;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery{margin:auto !important;padding:0 !important;width:100%;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery.layout-grid{display:grid;grid-gap:20px;align-items:stretch;grid-template-columns:repeat(var(--columns),1fr);justify-items:stretch;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery.layout-grid li img{border:1px solid #ccc;box-shadow:2px 2px 6px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.3);height:100%;max-width:100%;-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;width:100%;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery.layout-masonry{-moz-column-count:var(--columns);-moz-column-gap:var(--space);column-gap:var(--space);-moz-column-width:var(--min-width);columns:var(--min-width) var(--columns);display:block;overflow:auto;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery.layout-masonry li{margin-bottom:var(--space);}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery li{list-style:none;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery li figure{height:100%;margin:0;padding:0;position:relative;width:100%;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery li figure figcaption{background:linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(0,0,0,.7),rgba(0,0,0,.3) 70%,transparent);bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;color:#fff;font-size:.8em;margin:0;max-height:100%;overflow:auto;padding:3em .77em .7em;position:absolute;text-align:center;width:100%;z-index:2;}ul.filebird-block-filebird-gallery li figure figcaption a{color:inherit;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-1:#fff;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-2:#f9f9fb;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-3:#59585a;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-4:#ec008c;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-5:#231f20;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-6:#379b8b;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-7:#00e072;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-8:#00e1be;--wp--preset--color--awb-color-custom-18:rgba(55,155,139,.57);--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13.5px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:27px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--font-size--normal:18px;--wp--preset--font-size--xlarge:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:54px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.woocommerce form .form-row .required{visibility:visible;}.aiovg-player{display:block;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;width:100%;height:0;overflow:hidden;}.aiovg-player iframe,.aiovg-player .video-js,.aiovg-player .plyr{--plyr-color-main:#00b2ff;position:absolute;inset:0;margin:0;padding:0;width:100%;height:100%;}@media screen and (max-width: 767px){.fusion-no-small-visibility{display:none !important;}body .sm-text-align-center{text-align:center !important;}body .sm-text-align-left{text-align:left !important;}body .sm-text-align-right{text-align:right !important;}body .sm-flex-align-center{justify-content:center !important;}body .sm-flex-align-flex-start{justify-content:flex-start !important;}body .sm-flex-align-flex-end{justify-content:flex-end !important;}body .sm-mx-auto{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .sm-ml-auto{margin-left:auto !important;}body .sm-mr-auto{margin-right:auto !important;}body .fusion-absolute-position-small{position:absolute;top:auto;width:100%;}.awb-sticky.awb-sticky-small{position:sticky;top:var(--awb-sticky-offset,0);}}@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1200px){.fusion-no-medium-visibility{display:none !important;}body .md-text-align-center{text-align:center !important;}body .md-text-align-left{text-align:left !important;}body .md-text-align-right{text-align:right !important;}body .md-flex-align-center{justify-content:center !important;}body .md-flex-align-flex-start{justify-content:flex-start !important;}body .md-flex-align-flex-end{justify-content:flex-end !important;}body .md-mx-auto{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .md-ml-auto{margin-left:auto !important;}body .md-mr-auto{margin-right:auto !important;}body .fusion-absolute-position-medium{position:absolute;top:auto;width:100%;}.awb-sticky.awb-sticky-medium{position:sticky;top:var(--awb-sticky-offset,0);}}@media screen and (min-width: 1201px){.fusion-no-large-visibility{display:none !important;}body .lg-text-align-center{text-align:center !important;}body .lg-text-align-left{text-align:left !important;}body .lg-text-align-right{text-align:right !important;}body .lg-flex-align-center{justify-content:center !important;}body .lg-flex-align-flex-start{justify-content:flex-start !important;}body .lg-flex-align-flex-end{justify-content:flex-end !important;}body .lg-mx-auto{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}body .lg-ml-auto{margin-left:auto !important;}body .lg-mr-auto{margin-right:auto !important;}body .fusion-absolute-position-large{position:absolute;top:auto;width:100%;}.awb-sticky.awb-sticky-large{position:sticky;top:var(--awb-sticky-offset,0);}}.obx-interior-cta-title,.obx-interior-cta-body{max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}.sb-breadcrumbs{margin-bottom:-20px;}.fusion-post-cards .sb-breadcrumbs{display:none;}.header-cta{width:100%;}.parent{}.child{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;font-size:16px;}.awb-menu__main-li:last-child span.awb-menu__i.awb-menu__i_main.fusion-megamenu-icon{padding-left:0px;padding-right:5px;}.social-footer > div{background-color:transparent !important;}.table-2 tr td{border-bottom:none;}.social-img{width:40px;}.footer-logo-link a{display:block;}.fusion-filters{border-top:0;}.fusion-filter.fusion-active a{border-top:0;}.quick-quote .fusion-filter a:hover{color:#286072;}.sw-launcher .sw-launcher-input,.sw-launcher .sw-launcher-button{border-color:#ec0a8c;}.sw-launcher .sw-launcher-button{background-color:#ec0a8c;}.sw-launcher .sw-launcher-button:hover,.sw-launcher .sw-launcher-button:focus{box-shadow:0 0 0 2px white,0 0 0 3px #ec0a8c;}.sw_form_wrapper svg,.sw_form_wrapper .select_wizard_form svg path,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.battery-slide svg path,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.solar-ev-slide svg path,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.solar-ev-slide svg circle,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-panel .want-an-ev-section svg .st1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-panel .want-an-ev-section svg .st0,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-panel .want-an-ev-section svg .cls-1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-panel .have-an-ev-section svg .cls-1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-cost-final .system-result svg .st0,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.calculate-cost-final .system-result svg .cls-1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.final-step-data svg .cls-1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.states-slide .state-icons svg .st0,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.states-slide .state-icons svg .cls-1,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset.states-slide .state-icons svg .st-1{fill:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form_wrapper .select_wizard_form .text-title span.span-title3,.sw_form_wrapper .select_wizard_form .text-title span.span-title4,.sw_form_wrapper .text-title p,form.sw_form span.span-title2,form.sw_form span.span-title3{color:#231f20;}form.sw_form p,form.sw_form ul li,.sw_form_wrapper fieldset .form-card{color:#231f20;}.system-result .flexbox.no-gap .flex-box,.system-result .flexbox,.sw_form_wrapper .form-card,.sw_form_wrapper .box span.span-title3{color:#231f20;}label.bolder,.sw_form fieldset .fixed span,.system-result .top,fieldset.battery-slide span.span-title3 span.sw-separator-label,.sw_form_wrapper .sw-time .time-slot button,.sw_form_wrapper .env-impact-box span.span-title3{color:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form_wrapper,.sw_form .box,.sw_form div.slider-range,.sw_form_wrapper,.sw_form_wrapper .env-option-box,.sw_form .box,.sw_form div.ev-battery-slider-range,.sw_form div.percentage-offset-range,.system-result .flexbox,.system-result .flexbox.no-gap .flex-box,.sw_form_wrapper input[type=text],.sw_form_wrapper input[type=email],.sw_form_wrapper input[type=number],.sw_form_wrapper input[type=tel],.sw_form_wrapper textarea,.sw_form_wrapper .box{border-color:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form_wrapper .button-arrow-right,.arrow-btn:after,.sw_form_wrapper .border-separator{border-left-color:#ec0a8c !important;}.sw_form_wrapper .input-box.sel-wizard-space-box .select-wizard-btn,.sw_form_wrapper .input-box.sel-wizard-space-box .select-wizard-btn:hover,.sw_form_wrapper .sw-badge,.sw_form_wrapper .env-impact-options hr,.sw_form_wrapper hr{background:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form .loader,.sw_form .loader-date{border-top-color:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form .action-button,.sw_form div.slider-range,.sw_form .action-button,.sw_form div.ev-battery-slider-range,.sw_form div.percentage-offset-range,.sw_form .progressbar li.active,.sw_form_wrapper .percentage-offset-range span.ui-slider-handle.ui-state-default.ui-corner-all,.sw_form_wrapper .sw-time .time-slot button.active,.sw_form_wrapper .sw-time .time-slot button:hover{background:#ec0a8c;}.sw_form .action-button:hover,.sw_form .action-button:focus{box-shadow:0 0 0 2px white,0 0 0 3px #ec0a8c;}.sw_form input[type=text],.sw_form input[type=email],.sw_form input[type=number],.sw_form input[type=tel],.sw_form_wrapper .sw-time .time-slot button,.sw_form textarea,.sw_form select{border-color:#ec0a8c !important;}body .sw_form label.bolder.monthly_bill{margin:-3px 0 0 0 !important;}form.select_wizard_form .text-title.w-600 img{max-width:250px;}.sw_form_wrapper input.datepicker{font-size:14px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;}.sw_form_wrapper .financing_result.system-result li.sw_payback_period{display:none;}