What a home battery does
Backup in an outage
Your home switches to the battery on its own, so the fridge, furnace fan, well pump and Wi-Fi keep running.
Store your solar
Use the power your panels make during the day after the sun goes down, instead of sending it to the grid.
Earn from your utility
Some utilities, like Alliant Energy, pay you when your battery helps the grid at its busiest times.
Backup choices
Whole-home or partial battery backup?
Essential circuits
One battery backs up the loads that matter in an outage: fridge, furnace fan, well or sump pump, lights, internet and a few outlets. The lowest cost way to get backup.
Whole-home backup
Two or more batteries, sometimes with a smart panel, run most of the house, including larger loads, during an outage.
Solar plus storage
Store daytime solar for evening use and recharge the battery from your panels during a long outage.
Batteries we install
We help you pick the right fit for your home and backup needs.
Alliant Energy customers, WI and IA
Get paid for your home battery
Alliant's Smart Hours program pays a one-time enrollment bonus of $100 per kWh of battery capacity, plus $100 for each kW your battery averages during grid events each year. You can skip any event from your app.
How Smart Hours works$1,500
Enrollment bonus, one 15 kWh battery
$1,350
Enrollment bonus, one 13.5 kWh battery
Existing solar
Solar battery backup for the system you already have
Most solar systems can add a battery. The two common ways to connect one:
| AC-coupled | DC-coupled | |
|---|---|---|
| How it connects | The battery has its own inverter and connects on the AC side of your home | The battery shares a hybrid inverter with your panels |
| Works best when | You already have solar and your inverter is working fine | You are installing new solar or replacing an old inverter |
| Our approach | The most common choice for adding storage to existing systems | Often the better choice for new systems |
We check your inverter, panel and service size first. If your solar was installed by another company, including one that closed, we can still add a battery. See solar repair and maintenance.
Home battery backup without solar
You do not need solar panels to get a home battery. A battery without solar charges from the grid, then switches on by itself when the power goes out. Many homeowners in Minneapolis, the rest of Minnesota and Wisconsin start this way and add solar battery backup later. The trade-off: without panels, the battery cannot recharge during a long outage, so it covers hours, not days. Solar panels or a standby generator keep it going. We can tie a battery into an existing standby generator for about $2,000, depending on the generator’s age and compatibility.
How long does a home battery last in an outage?
It depends on what you back up. As a rough guide, keeping only the essentials running (refrigerator, furnace fan, sump pump, lights and Wi-Fi) often uses 8 to 12 kWh a day, so one 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3 can carry them through a day or more. Backing up the whole home, especially with electric heat, a well pump or central air, takes two or more batteries, solar panels to recharge them, or a standby generator. We size the battery from your bills and the circuits you choose.
Compare the options in solar battery vs. generator, or see the Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH and Enphase pages.
Midwest winters
Installed for Midwest winters
Lithium batteries charge and discharge best in moderate temperatures. In the Midwest we usually install batteries in a garage or basement wall space, or choose models rated for outdoor cold with built-in heating. Winter outages are when backup matters most: a battery keeps your furnace fan, sump pump and well pump running while the grid is down.
For long winter outages, pair a battery with solar, or with a standby generator for multi-day events. See Minnesota winter backup power and battery vs generator.
How a battery install works
Pick what to back up
Whole home or key circuits. We size the battery to match.
Permits and utility
We handle the permit, inspection and utility approval.
Install in a day
Most battery installs take one day on site.
Enroll and monitor
We set up the app and help you enroll in utility programs.
Rebates and cost
Battery rebates and costs in 2026
| Program | What it pays |
|---|---|
| Minnesota, Xcel Energy | $175 per kWh, up to $5,000 ($370 per kWh for income-qualified homes), for batteries paired with solar |
| Minnesota, other utilities | $250 per kWh, up to $7,000, for batteries paired with solar, through the state program while funds last |
| Alliant Energy, WI and IA | Smart Hours: $100 per kWh enrollment bonus plus yearly payments for grid events |
| Illinois, ComEd and Ameren | $300 per kWh with a qualifying rate plan or program |
| Federal | The 30% homeowner credit for batteries ended after 2025. Leases can still pass along savings from the commercial credit. |
Wolf River Electric installed prices, as of October 2026: Tesla Powerwall 3 about $12,500 to $20,900, FranklinWH aPower S with aGate about $15,400 to $22,000, and Enphase IQ Battery 10C with a transfer switch about $11,800 to $19,700. The low end is with a prepaid lease plus our 10% discount; the high end is buying outright. If your home needs a panel or service upgrade, that is priced separately.
Battery questions
Can I add a battery to my existing solar?
Yes, in most cases. We check your inverter and panel and recommend the battery that fits.
How long will a battery run my home?
It depends on the battery size and what you keep running. One 13.5 kWh Powerwall 3 running essentials like the fridge, furnace fan, lights and Wi-Fi often lasts through the night and into the next day, and solar recharges it on sunny days.
Battery or standby generator?
A battery is silent, stores your solar and may earn utility payments. A standby generator runs as long as it has fuel, which suits long outages and big loads. Many homes pair the two. See whole house generator cost for installed generator prices.
Can I add a battery to my solar panels?
Yes, in most cases. An AC-coupled battery works with most existing systems. A DC-coupled battery makes sense with new solar or when your inverter is due for replacement.
What battery rebates are there in Minnesota?
Xcel Energy pays $175 per kWh, up to $5,000 ($370 per kWh if income-qualified). Other utilities pay $250 per kWh, up to $7,000, through the state program. The battery must be paired with solar.
Is there a federal tax credit for home batteries?
Not for homeowner-owned batteries installed after December 31, 2025. A lease can still pass along savings from the commercial credit.
How much does a home battery cost?
EnergySage puts Minnesota home batteries at about $1,156 per kWh before incentives in October 2026, roughly $15,000 for a 13 kWh battery. We quote yours after checking your panel and backup goals.
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Power Backup Solutions Create Peace Of Mind
Adding energy storage to your solar electric system creates a dependable solution for all your energy needs. Use it day or night to self-power your home. Adding energy storage creates peace of mind: bad weather, blackouts, and unexpected outages won’t disrupt your life. With both solar and a solar battery, or a backup generator, you can determine how best to power your home: energy from the sun, power from your battery, or tapping into the grid.
Solar Day and Night
A solar battery stores sustainable energy to continuously power your home day and night. You can monitor your home’s energy usage and optimize for energy independence or backup reserve. Use the power from the sun during the day and draw from your battery at night.
Never Worry About the Lights Going Out
Our energy storage systems are specifically designed to provide you and your family with peace of mind in the event of a power outage. Its unique power detection system will sense outages in real time and automatically switch over to battery power!
A Self-Powered Home
Use solar and a solar battery to reduce reliance on the grid and create a zero-emissions home, with less dependence on the utility company. With a solar battery added to your solar electric system, you get the safety and security of grid independence.
Low Electricity Rates
Reduce your electricity bill if your energy retailer offers a time-of-use rate plan. A solar battery allows you to store energy when it is cheap and run your home off the battery when rates are higher. You are in control.
Backup Generators
24kW Guardian Series Home Standby Generation by Generac. The largest air-cooled automatic home standby generator on the market is the perfect addition to your home. Add peace of mind, add security, and add Generac backup power now!