Maximize Your Solar Energy with Xcel’s Renewable Battery Connect Program

Are you ready to contribute to a sustainable electric grid while earning significant incentives? Xcel’s new Renewable Battery Connect program offers an opportunity for homeowners and small businesses to contribute to a reliable power grid by installing batteries at a largely discounted price. With this program, Xcel will pay for $500 per kW of equipment installed, up to 50% of the equipment cost. In combination with the 30% federal tax credit, 10% state tax Credit, some customers are saving up to 80% of the installed cost to add batteries to their solar system. Income qualified customers can also take advantage of an additional $300 per kW, which can mean a completely paid for battery for them!

In return for the XCEL rebate, the customer agrees to allow Xcel Energy to discharge the battery up to 60% of its capacity, up to 60 times per year. This leaves the battery 100% available for customer use over 300 days a year. Both Tesla and SolarEdge batteries are eligible for the program.

There are many advantages to installing battery backup with solar:

1. Energy independence: Batteries allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use them when solar energy is not available. This reduces reliance on the electrical grid and creates a small microgrid to support each household.
2. Financial savings: Batteries allow you to take advantage of XCEL’s Time of Use rates by charging your battery with solar during the day discharging the battery during peak rates during the evening. The system is programmed to automatically power your loads during these hours of higher electricity rates.
3. Environmental impact: Batteries allow solar energy to be used when there is no longer sun, reducing use of fossil fuels during these hours and lowering carbon footprints. Batteries reduce the strain on the grid caused by massive inputs of solar energy during the day and increased demand during evening hours when there is no longer sun. The battery connect program further supports the grid by allowing the grid to use customer’s battery power for support during moments of high instability. This comes at a small cost to the customer, as the battery will be 100% available to them more than 300 days a year.
4. Increased resilience: While solar energy alone cannot be used during power outages due to safety concerns, battery equipment provides the isolation needed to allow your solar to be used during power outages and grid failures, and can recharge the battery during prolonged grid outages.

Traditionally, the biggest obstacle to including batteries in a solar system is cost. However with this program, they can be installed at incredibly discounted rates. By participating in Renewable Battery Connect, you’re not only optimizing your solar energy usage but also contributing to a sustainable and reliable electric grid.  Get an estimate today and start making a positive impact on your community.