Installing Battery Backup Systems
Powerwall 3 is Here!
As Washington’s Premiere Installer for Tesla energy products, we bring you the Powerwall 3. A unique compact home battery with an integrated inverter offers seamless whole-home backup protection and significant electricity bill savings. Uncover the advantages of adopting an integrated solar, battery, and EV charging ecosystem. In essence, you’ll discover a cost-effective solution to enhance your independence from the grid, trim your electricity bills, and power your lifestyle with the sun! Click below to learn more and request your free estimate for a Powerwall 3!
What's Your Backup Plan?
Northwest Electric and Solar offer battery backup installations in Washington State – installable with a solar PV system or alone. We offer Tesla’s Powerwall with Tesla Gateway and FranklinWH aPower batteries with aGate system controls.
Your home battery backup system can provide clean, reliable power during a utility outage, replacing the fossil fuel-burning generator. It does not pollute the air and does not require you to keep combustible gasoline or diesel on hand. A solar system automatically shuts down without battery storage during a power outage.
Suppose you already have solar energy or get a solar system simultaneously as your battery. In that case, the solar-connected battery backup installation is eligible in Washington State for the Federal Income Tax Credit. Purchase and installation of the solar system are state sales tax exempt, but you will have to pay sales tax on the battery backup system.
Using battery backup
Backup power
Switching over to battery power is automatic when the utility grid goes down. The seamless transition has no ill effects on your electronics and appliances. When the grid comes back, another seamless transition switches you back. The battery will then automatically recharge from grid power or your solar energy system during daylight.
Self consumption
Clean electricity from your battery is solely used for self-consumption. In Washington, you cannot send battery power to the grid for net metering credits as you do with solar electricity.
Load shifting
In the future, if your electric utility goes to “time-of-use” rates, you can save money using battery power during the most expensive rate periods and charging the battery up during less costly periods. Battery storage can offer financial benefits in California, where electricity during peak hours is costly or when a customer pays a high “demand charge.”
Home backup
A partial backup works great for anyone looking to back up just a few critical loads. We’ll install a small subpanel and relocate up to 10 loads (every 30 amps and under) into this panel, which will have power during an outage. If you want to run your microgrid at your home, a Whole Home Backup is the option for you. Keep everything in your home powered during an outage!
Battery brands we trust
Tesla Powerwall Battery System
Each Tesla Powerwall Battery system consists of one or more 13.5 kW rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs and software housed in a Gateway that intelligently dispatches electricity. Powerwall mounting can go on the wall, floor, indoors, or outdoors. They can be placed adjacent to each other or stacked front to back.
System size (number of Powerwall batteries) depends on the size of your solar system, the electric loads you want to run when the grid goes down, and the length of time you need to power them. We take care of everything from design and permits to testing and teaching you how to use them.
The solar battery backup installation takes 1 to 2 days for a Washington State residential system, longer for a more extensive procedure. When the installation is complete, our electrician will test the system. We will turn off-grid power to simulate a power outage and train you to use the Powerwall cell phone app. Watch a short video showing the energy flow in How Powerwall Works. Quantities are limited, so reserve yours today!
FranklinWh
The FranklinWH system is efficient, modular, and affordable, making home battery backup more practical for more people than ever. Experience All-in-one solar plus storage as Enphase unites inverter, battery, and monitoring. One company on a single software platform.
FranklinWH AC-coupled system allows you to start small, go big, or grow over time. aPower batteries use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry to provide industry-leading safety and undergo the most rigorous industry testing and certification.
Control your loads with FranklinWH Smart Circuits Module and make your battery last longer in an outage by prioritizing and directing power to critical loads through Enphase’s battery app. Create your energy management system today with FranklinWH batteries and keep the energy constantly flowing.
Fortress Power LFP Batteries
Utilizing safe Lithium Iron Phosphate Technology (LifePO4), Fortress Power is opening up Off-Grid projects to battery backup solutions. Scale your battery energy storage systems with Fortress Power’s eFlex 5.4kWh batteries.
Fortress Power designs and manufactures batteries for off-grid applications. With a safe design, 15+ year lifespan, and zero maintenance. With a built-in proprietary battery management system, homeowners are assured that after installation, they can enjoy full power backup.
In DC-coupled mode, both solar and batteries share the inverter, and solar can directly charge the batteries. In AC-coupled, the solar has its inverter and sometimes distributes power to the house loads before giving the excess power to the batteries.
Plus, they have racking options, such as the FlexTower, which serves as the battery enclosure. Which protects and allows for easy wiring of the batteries maximizing the safety and efficiency of the installation!
Battery comparison
We’ve chosen these battery options to provide you with the best selection of home battery backup solutions. Use this comparison chart to find the battery that suits your backup needs.
Tesla Powerwall
+Capacity (kWh)
13.5
Warranty
10 years
Battery Type
AC Battery System
Dimensions (WxHxD)
45.3 x 29.6 x 5.75 inches
Environment
Indoor and Outdoor
Round Trip Efficiency*
90%
Mounting
Floor or Wall
aPower
+Capacity (kWh)
13.6
Warranty
12 years
Battery Type
AC Battery System
Dimensions (WxHxD)
21.7 x 31.5 x 6.3 inches
Environment
Indoor and Outdoor
Round Trip Efficiency*
89%
Mounting
Wall
IQ Battery 10T
+Capacity (kWh)
10.08
Warranty
10 years
Battery Type
AC Battery System
Dimensions (WxHxD)
50.5 x 30.5 x 7.4 inches
Environment
Indoor and Outdoor
Round Trip Efficiency*
96%
Mounting
Wall
eFlex 5.4
+Capacity (kWh)
5.374
Warranty
10 years
Battery Type
DC Battery System
Dimensions (WxHxD)
17.5 x 7.2 x 21.5 inches
Environment
Indoor and Outdoor
Round Trip Efficiency*
98%
Mounting
Wall or in Racking
*Round trip efficiency is the percentage of electricity put into storage that is later retrieved
Take 30% off your battery storage system cost!
With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, stand-alone battery energy storage systems qualify for a 30% tax credit! Until the end of 2032, a federal income tax credit is available for 30% of the total cost of purchase and installation (including sales tax) of a battery energy storage system, providing the owner has sufficient tax liability. Learn more when you talk to our sales consultants and find the right energy storage solution for your home or business!
Battery Installation Gallery
Battery Backup FAQs
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What happens when there is a power outage? Do I have to turn my battery backup on manually?
Whenever a power outage occurs, both Tesla and Enphase battery storage systems automatically turn on backup energy. Like the Automatic Transfer Switch used with gas generators, battery energy storage systems allow you to seamlessly transition to backup power, followed by a notice on your companion app for your respective battery manufacturer.
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If I purchase a battery energy storage system without solar can I still qualify for the 30% investment tax credit?
Yes! Stand-alone battery energy storage systems qualify for the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit.
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How many home loads can I cover with partial backup?
Partial backup can cover up to 120A worth of breakers. Depending on the battery storage manufacturer, the 120A breakers can be no larger than 30A for Powerwall and 20A for Enphase IQ batteries. Large loads such as AC units and laundry typically use 50A breakers, and if you want to use these appliances during a power outage, adding at least two to three batteries is recommended. We can help you find the correct battery backup configuration to meet your needs!
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Do you offer a referral program if I send friends to you for a battery storage system?
Yes! We offer $100 per battery unit if your referral installs a battery storage system. If they install two Powerwalls, you will get $200.