Guide
Do you need a battery with plug-in solar?
You usually do not need a battery with plug-in solar to reduce your bill. A battery increases the share of your solar used at home, but standard microinverter kits will not power circuits in a grid outage.
- CheckedOct 14, 2026
- Sources read3
- DataPVGIS · EIA · state bills
How much a battery changes home use
The calculator shows how much more of your plug-in solar you use at home as you add a battery. Results depend on base load, battery size and electricity price; numbers below are from the calculator for an 800 W kit. See the tool at the calculator.
Los Angeles, CA (33.25 cents/kWh), 800 W kit: at 100 W base load the calculator gives 315 kWh used at home (38%) with 0 kWh; 579 kWh (73%) with 1 kWh; 674 kWh (86%) with 2 kWh; 694 kWh (89%) with 4 kWh. At 164 W base load it gives 468 kWh (57%) at 0 kWh; 678 kWh (84%) at 1 kWh; 767 kWh (97%) at 2 kWh; 783 kWh (99%) at 4 kWh. At 300 W it gives 679 kWh (82%) at 0 kWh; 790 kWh (97%) at 1 kWh; 807 kWh (99%) at 2 kWh; 811 kWh (100%) at 4 kWh.
New York, NY (29.38 cents/kWh), 800 W kit: at 100 W base load the calculator gives 288 kWh (39%) at 0 kWh; 528 kWh (75%) at 1 kWh; 615 kWh (88%) at 2 kWh; 662 kWh (96%) at 4 kWh. At 164 W it gives 416 kWh (57%) at 0 kWh; 601 kWh (84%) at 1 kWh; 670 kWh (95%) at 2 kWh; 699 kWh (100%) at 4 kWh. At 300 W it gives 595 kWh (81%) at 0 kWh; 688 kWh (95%) at 1 kWh; 716 kWh (100%) at 2 kWh; 718 kWh (100%) at 4 kWh.
Houston, TX (16.06 cents/kWh), 800 W kit: at 100 W base load the calculator gives 296 kWh (44%) at 0 kWh; 496 kWh (77%) at 1 kWh; 554 kWh (87%) at 2 kWh; 583 kWh (92%) at 4 kWh. At 164 W it gives 418 kWh (63%) at 0 kWh; 560 kWh (86%) at 1 kWh; 622 kWh (97%) at 2 kWh; 638 kWh (99%) at 4 kWh. At 300 W it gives 565 kWh (85%) at 0 kWh; 640 kWh (97%) at 1 kWh; 655 kWh (100%) at 2 kWh; 657 kWh (100%) at 4 kWh.
| Always-on load | Battery | Produced, kWh | Used at home, kWh | Share used | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 W | none | 826 | 315 | 38% | $105 |
| 100 W | 1 kWh | 826 | 579 | 73% | $192 |
| 100 W | 2 kWh | 826 | 674 | 86% | $224 |
| 100 W | 4 kWh | 826 | 694 | 89% | $231 |
| 164 W | none | 826 | 468 | 57% | $156 |
| 164 W | 1 kWh | 826 | 678 | 84% | $225 |
| 164 W | 2 kWh | 826 | 767 | 97% | $255 |
| 164 W | 4 kWh | 826 | 783 | 99% | $261 |
| 300 W | none | 826 | 679 | 82% | $226 |
| 300 W | 1 kWh | 826 | 790 | 97% | $263 |
| 300 W | 2 kWh | 826 | 807 | 99% | $268 |
| 300 W | 4 kWh | 826 | 811 | 100% | $270 |
What a battery adds in dollars
The calculator also reports annual bill savings for each battery size. Across the examples above the calculator gives annual savings from $48 to $270 per year depending on city, base load and battery size.
Compare those savings to kit prices on store pages: Zendure’s SolarFlow Kit is $3,932 on the official store, checked October 14, 2026; Craftstrom’s 2kW Solar + 3kWh Battery Plug-In Kit is $8,199 on the official store, checked October 14, 2026. Use the calculator with your address and load to compare purchase price to annual savings.
Backup and outages
A standard plug-in microinverter will not power your home during a grid outage. Bright Saver states that the microinverter shuts down the moment it does not sense grid power; this anti-islanding shutdown is required for grid-tied inverters sold in the United States.
You cannot add a battery to a standard plug-in kit as sold today to get backup power, Bright Saver says. Plug-in battery systems that can work in an outage exist in Europe and are reaching the US; they replace the microinverter rather than bolt onto it, so check the manufacturer’s documentation.
- Bright Saver: plug-in solar is a bill-reduction product, not a backup-power product.
- Bright Saver: check the manufacturer if you want a kit that operates during an outage.
- See product details at kits with batteries.
AC vs DC coupling and expansion
Most one- or two-panel plug-in kits are AC-coupled at the outlet; the microinverter produces AC and will shut down in an outage. Bright Saver says integrated plug-in battery systems replace the microinverter rather than bolt on.
Product listings show different architectures and battery sizes. Zendure’s SolarFlow Kit lists a 1,920 Wh battery expandable to 7,680 Wh and inverter output up to 900 W AC; its UL 3700 status is not published. Craftstrom’s listing shows a 3,000 Wh battery and inverter output up to 2,000 W AC and names IEEE 1547 and UL 1742 (as written, ETL) on its store page.
- Zendure SolarFlow Kit: 1,920 Wh battery, expandable to 7,680 Wh; inverter up to 900 W AC; UL 3700 status not published.
- Craftstrom 2kW kit: 3,000 Wh battery; inverter up to 2,000 W AC; seller lists UL 1742 (as written, ETL) and IEEE 1547; $8,199 on the official store, checked October 14, 2026.
Questions
Will plug-in solar run during a power outage?
No. Bright Saver says the microinverter shuts down the moment it does not sense grid power, and it will not energize your circuits until the grid returns; this anti-islanding shutdown is required for grid-tied inverters in the United States.
Can I add a battery to my existing plug-in kit to get backup?
Not to a standard plug-in kit as sold today. Bright Saver states you cannot add a battery to a standard plug-in kit to obtain backup power; integrated plug-in battery systems replace the microinverter instead.
Do any plug-in kits include batteries?
Yes. The Zendure SolarFlow Kit lists a 1,920 Wh battery (expandable to 7,680 Wh) and inverter output up to 900 W AC. The Craftstrom 2kW Solar + 3kWh Battery Plug-In Kit lists a 3,000 Wh battery and inverter output up to 2,000 W AC; check each product’s store page for outage statements and certifications.
How much more will a battery save each year?
The calculator gives annual savings by city, base load and battery size; across the examples used here it reports annual savings ranging from $48 to $270. Use the calculator with your address and load to see your numbers.
What certifications should I look for?
Check the product listing for standards and listings. Craftstrom names IEEE 1547 and lists UL 1742 (as written, ETL) on its store page; Zendure’s UL 3700 status is not published on its store page.