Stay Powered Through Any Storm
Grid-tied solar systems help you save money and reduce reliance on the grid — a smart investment that pays off in every season. But in Maine, storms and power outages go hand in hand. When storms hit and power outages occur, grid-tied systems automatically shut down to protect line workers from electricity flowing back through power lines during repairs.
That means your solar panels can’t produce power until the grid comes back — even on a sunny day.
Adding a home battery changes that. With solar plus energy storage, your system keeps essential loads running safely and automatically during an outage — no generator noise, no refueling, no hassle.
You’ll stay comfortable and connected through Maine’s toughest weather while continuing to enjoy all the savings solar provides every day.
Why Maine Homeowners Are Adding Solar Battery Backup
If you’ve ever lost power during a storm, you already know how valuable reliable backup can be. Adding a battery to your solar system takes energy independence to the next level by:
- Providing instant backup power when the grid goes down
- Keeping essential loads running (heat, lights, fridge, sump/well pump), with some homeowners opting for whole-home backup
- Recharging automatically from the sun when daylight returns
- Storing extra solar to use in the evening
- Offering a cleaner, quieter alternative to gas or propane generators
Together, solar panels and batteries create a system that keeps power flowing where you need it most.
Let’s take a look at how it works.
How Solar + Batteries Work During an Outage
When the grid goes down, your battery steps in right away, drawing on its stored energy to keep your essential loads running.
If the sun’s out, your solar panels keep producing power to recharge your battery, which in turn continues supplying your home’s essential loads.
Once the grid comes back online, your system transitions back seamlessly — no switches to flip, no generator noise, no hassle.
Everything happens quietly and within seconds, so you can stay focused on what matters most: keeping your home safe, comfortable, and essentials powered up.
What Can You Power With a Home Battery?
Most Maine homeowners choose to back up their essential loads, such as:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Well or sump pumps
- Heating systems (oil & gas)
- Lighting and a few outlets
- Wi-Fi, phone chargers, and garage doors
Need more coverage? You can add additional batteries to power more of your home’s loads — or even opt for whole-home backup.
For example, a single Tesla Powerwall can typically power a conservative set of essential loads for one to two days — longer if it recharges from solar during daylight hours. Two or more batteries can handle higher demands and sometimes even whole-home use.
Our team will model your energy use, home layout, and backup goals so you can choose the right setup for your needs and budget — and plan ahead if you’d like to expand over time.
Once you know what you want to power, the next step is finding the right battery for your home.
Top Solar Battery Options for Maine Homes
We install several top-tier home battery systems designed for Maine’s climate and energy needs.
Here’s a closer look at three of the most popular options for grid-tied systems.
FranklinWH Home Power System
Our most advanced and flexible option. Each FranklinWH delivers 13.6 kWh of usable energy and can be expanded for larger homes or whole-home backup. Built for performance, the aPower battery is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance and includes a built-in heating system.
It also includes a 15-year warranty and the integrated aGate controller, which smartly balances solar, grid, and generator power for seamless backup.
FranklinWH is ideal for homeowners who want a smart, scalable energy system with control over where their power comes from.
Tesla Powerwall
One of the most recognized home batteries, the Tesla Powerwall provides 13.5 kWh of usable storage and comes with a 10-year warranty. Its sleek, wall-mounted design runs quietly and integrates seamlessly with the Tesla app, where you can monitor performance and choose between Backup, Self-Powered, or Time-Based Control modes.
A dependable, low-maintenance favorite among Maine homeowners, the Powerwall delivers peace of mind through storms and outages with proven reliability.
SolarEdge Home Battery
Built for integration, the SolarEdge Home Battery connects directly with SolarEdge inverters to operate as one efficient system. Each unit offers 9.7 kWh of usable capacity and a 10-year warranty.
Enhanced by Weather Guard technology in the mySolarEdge app, it can automatically prepare for storms by charging in advance — keeping your essential loads running through unpredictable Maine weather.
It’s a perfect fit for homeowners already using SolarEdge equipment who want to maximize efficiency with a streamlined, all-in-one design.
Choosing the Right Battery for Your Home
All three systems provide reliable, quiet backup power and can be customized to match your home’s energy goals. Smart automation and flexible load control let you decide which appliances run during an outage, helping you get the most out of every charge.
During an extended outage with cloudy weather, you can conserve energy by limiting which loads are active. When the sun returns, your system automatically recharges and can handle more demand with confidence.
Each manufacturer handles load control differently, and some offer multiple ways to manage it. There are also advanced third-party options, such as the SPAN panel, which we can also install. This panel replaces your home’s electrical panel and offers unmatched circuit-level control.
Our team will design a system that fits your backup goals, solar array, and battery capacity, ensuring the best performance for your home.
Not sure which battery fits your needs best? Schedule a free site assessment, and we’ll help you compare features, capacity, and pricing side by side.
While most Maine homeowners choose grid-tied systems, we also design and install off-grid solar and battery solutions for homes and cabins that operate independently from the utility grid.
Battery Options for Off-Grid Homes and Cabins
Off-grid homes aren’t connected to the utility grid, meaning all of their power comes from solar panels and batteries — usually with a generator for additional backup.
These systems are common in Maine’s remote areas where utility lines don’t reach or where homeowners want complete energy independence.
Most off-grid customers today are moving away from traditional lead-acid battery setups and choosing advanced systems like the Discover Energy Helios ESS for their long lifespan, high efficiency, and minimal maintenance.
We also install a range of other high-quality battery systems for our off-grid customers and can recommend the best fit based on your power needs and goals.
We still service and install lead-acid battery banks for some smaller or seasonal systems, but most new off-grid projects now use modern batteries for better performance and reliability.
Learn more about off-grid solar systems.
Do Solar Batteries Work in Cold Weather?
Whether your home is grid-tied or fully off-grid, one question always comes up for Mainers: how well do these batteries hold up through our cold winters?
The answer is great — solar batteries are built for Maine’s climate.
We typically install them indoors or in insulated enclosures to protect against freezing and extend lifespan. If the temperature drops, the battery uses a built-in heater to stay warm. While that heater does use some of your reserved power to work, it’s a smart feature that protects the battery and keeps it operating when you need it most.
Maintaining and Expanding Your Solar Battery System
Home batteries are virtually maintenance-free — no oil changes, no fuel, and most updates happen automatically.
Apps like Tesla, mySolarEdge, and FranklinWH let you monitor your system in real time — showing your solar production, energy use, and battery charge at a glance on your phone or desktop.
Most battery backup systems are modular, meaning you can start small and add additional batteries over time as your energy needs grow.
Our team ensures compatibility and outlines costs so your system can grow with you.
Even if you already have solar, a battery can be added later.
And for homes or condos where solar isn’t possible, a standalone battery can still provide quiet, reliable backup during outages.
Battery Lifespan and Warranty
Most home batteries include 10–15 year warranties covering both performance and equipment, typically retaining 70% capacity after 10 years — equivalent to about 3,000–5,000 charge cycles.
With proper installation and care, many systems continue performing reliably for several years beyond their warranty period, often lasting 15–20 years in total. While capacity gradually decreases over time, they still provide dependable backup power and energy storage well into their second decade.
Like your solar panels, a battery system is a long-term investment designed to provide energy security and peace of mind for years to come.
Power You Can Count On — From Mainers Who Know Maine
When the next storm rolls in, your home doesn’t have to go dark.
Our team designs solar + battery systems that keep you powered — safely, quietly, and automatically — through whatever Maine weather brings.
We live here too. We know the storms, the power outages, and the feeling of relief when the lights stay on. It’s one of the reasons we love what we do.
Schedule your free battery consultation today.
