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Home Battery Storage and Rewards
Backup power when a storm comes and incentives when the sky is clear.
What Is A Home Battery Storage System?
Equipping your house with home battery storage can help you be more prepared as storms become more frequent. You can charge your battery in good weather and rely on it to power your essential appliances when the power goes out.
Charging your battery
You can charge your battery using the grid or a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, and there are a number of different battery sizes, options and manufacturers, so you can find the one that's right for your home.
Benefits compared to generators
Unlike gasoline-powered generators, a home battery system requires no set-up when you lose power, has no risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning, is usually quieter to run and does not emit greenhouse gasses.
Rebates And Incentives For Home Battery Storage
You will be rewarded for helping us reduce strain on the grid, and can access an upfront rebate towards the cost of a home battery storage system, through Energy Storage Solutions.
Many of the most popular home battery storage systems are available for Energy Storage Solutions. You can consult our eligible equipment list to see all available models.
How incentives work
You'll be paid a set amount for every kilowatt your battery contributes. Then, you can charge back up and be ready to do it all over again the next day. We will not draw power from your battery for at least 2 days before any predicted extreme weather event.
Depending on how you participate, you could also have access to incentives covering up to 50% of the cost of buying and installing your battery (maximum of $16,000).
Is Energy Storage Solutions Right For Me?
Every home is different. Here are answers to many of the frequently asked questions about home battery storage and Energy Storage Solutions.
Do I need to have solar in order to install a battery?
You do not need solar installed at your house to install a home battery or enroll in Energy Storage Solutions. However, there are several benefits to pairing these systems with home solar. Learn more about solar energy for your home.
What is the difference between passive and active dispatch?
Passive dispatch will discharge up to 80% your battery automatically during set times throughout the summer. You are required to opt-in to passive dispatch to receive the up-front incentives on your home battery.
Active dispatch events can also be called during the summer, but you will have the option to opt in or decline to have your battery discharged. On days when Eversource calls an active dispatch event, passive dispatch will be canceled so your battery will be called on to contribute to the grid no more than once per day.
When is passive dispatch going to affect my home battery?
Passive dispatch will occur on weekdays in June, July and August (excluding holidays and active event days). We will discharge up to 80% of your battery over a period of 5 hours per day.
How do I connect my battery to the grid?
A home battery needs to be installed and connected by an eligible contractor. They will handle all the technical details. Even if you're not enrolling in Energy Storage Solutions, we do require your contractor to submit an application with our interconnection department so we can make sure the electrical grid in your area is ready to accept your battery.
Will Eversource discharge my battery before a storm?
Not if we can help it. Eversource will not discharge your battery two days before any large storms are predicted to affect the state.
How hard is it to switch to battery power during a storm?
Batteries should sense a loss of power automatically, and will start powering your home immediately. No extra work required.
How long will a home battery system last before it needs to be replaced?
We recommend consulting your specific battery system model for this information. Energy Storage Solutions does require all batteries and workmanship have a minimum 10-year warranty.
How exactly are rewards calculated?
We will draw power from the energy stored in your home battery during set times (usually when demand for electricity is at its highest). This allows us to avoid paying for extra electricity generation, and we pass those savings along to you.
How much you earn is based on the average kW your battery contributes per event. A typical home battery could contribute an average of 5 kW per event. This would earn $1,000 per year.
Different batteries can contribute different amounts during
events, and your battery must perform in accordance to your interconnection agreement. Additionally, some manufacturers may collect a portion of the incentive payment. Please contact your battery manufacturer or installer for more information about
your battery's expected contribution and what, if any, portion of the incentive they collect.
Customers on grid edge may qualify for a different level of incentives. To determine if your home is on grid edge, please refer to this map.
Full participation vs active-only dispatch
We offer two rewards options for Connecticut home battery storage systems. Your contractor can help you decide and enroll in the best option for your use case.
- Full Participation - You'll likely receive more money up front but less for your battery performance.
- Active-only Dispatch - You will not receive an up-front rebate, but could earn more in performance incentives because there is no limit on your battery discharge.
| Full Participation | Active Only Dispatch | |
|---|---|---|
| Incentive to purchase and install the battery | Incentive may cover up to 50% of your system cost but never more than $16,000 | None |
| Purchase Incentive Adders | Yes, for Grid Edge and Low-Income Customers* | None |
| Summer events date range | Passive Events: June, July August Active Events: June through September | June through September |
| Winter event date range | Passive Events: None Active Events: November through March | November through March |
| Summer incentives | $200 per average kW contributed | $200 per average kW contributed |
| Winter incentives | $25 per kW contributed | $25 per kW contributed |
| Reserve Capacity | 20% | None |
| Summer passive events | Daily on all non-holiday summer weekdays between 3-8 PM | None |
| Summer active events | 30 - 60 called events in the summer at 1- 3 hours per event | 30 - 60 called events, events can last up to 3 hours |
| Winter passive events | None | None |
| Winter active events | 1 to 5 events, 1 to 3 hours per event | 1 to 5 events, 1 to 3 hours per event |
| Weekend events | Active events can be called on weekdays, weekends and holidays in summer and winter | Active events can be called on weekdays, weekends and holidays in summer and winter |
| At what time might active events occur? | Between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. | Between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. |
| At what time do passive events occur? | Between 3 pm and 8 pm | None |
| Term | 10 years | 10 years |
*Learn more about grid edge and low income customers here.
Current ConnectedSolutions customers
ConnectedSolutions, the former program for Connecticut battery customers, paused accepting new enrollments on December 1st, 2023. Existing ConnectedSolutions customers may stay in ConnectedSolutions and receive performance incentive payments of $225/kW until at least 2027, or may transfer to Energy Storage Solutions if they have an approved provider.
Solar Power and Battery Storage
Pairing a home solar system with battery storage is very common combination, and a great way to get the most benefit out of both systems.
If you're interested in a home solar energy system, Eversource offers advice, incentives and more to help you get started.