For solar power facility installers, it is necessary to introduce their installation of solar power systems and supporting energy storage systems to residential users, so as to help them make purchase decisions that suit their needs. Here are 5 tips for users to understand the benefits of energy storage systems:

1. Take advantage of market trends

Anyone interested in deploying energy storage systems will have seen the market explode in recent years. Production of lithium-ion batteries has grown substantially over the past decade, making energy storage systems more common in residential and commercial applications.

But supply chain issues caused by the new crown epidemic may cause potential users to worry. Despite a temporary setback, the U.S. energy storage market will grow in the fourth quarter of 2022, making it its best year to date, according to data released by Clean Energy America. Installers should view this development as an opportunity to educate residential customers about energy storage deployments and increase their confidence in their decision to deploy residential batteries. For a growing number of users, the question is not "if" to deploy, but "when".

2. Introduce the benefits brought by the energy storage system

Installers need to emphasize to residential customers that energy storage offers many benefits. As seen in places like California, grid operations can sometimes be unreliable due to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, excessive energy consumption and other natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. Adopting a battery storage system not only reduces dependence on the grid, but also allows residential users to store energy for later use, which is especially useful in the event of a power outage that lasts for an extended period of time.

Residential customers should also understand that a battery storage system can not only provide power in an emergency, but also reduce daily electricity bills. Residential customers can specify when, where and how they use energy. It is especially important to emphasize that batteries can store energy for use during peak periods when electricity prices are at their highest.

If sustainability is a top priority for residential users, it’s important to emphasize that batteries can store electricity from clean sources. Doing so can help homeowners make informed decisions that benefit both their personal needs and the environment, so they feel good about their decisions because they feel they can contribute as much as possible to carbon neutrality. I did my part.

3. Emphasize existing financial incentives

Many US states have or are implementing incentives related to energy storage deployment, such as New Jersey and Massachusetts. New York State recently released a roadmap for deploying 6GW of energy storage by 2030, which will allow the state's existing incentives in the retail market to continue into the future.

In August 2022, the U.S. passed the Deinflation Act, which provides residential customers with an opportunity to receive a 30% tax credit for deploying qualifying energy storage projects when filing an application with the IRS. While tax credits for residential battery storage systems are currently unlimited, additional incentives may be offered at the state and federal level in the coming years as demand in the current market grows.

Helping residential customers understand incentives is another valuable service an installer can provide. For example, California has long been considered a leading state in the United States for adopting clean energy solutions, yet in December 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission passed a proposal that significantly reduces the potential cost of installing solar power systems. In California, almost all solar power generation facilities are equipped with battery energy storage systems.

4. Enhance cost savings

When communicating with users, installers must emphasize the ongoing cost savings they can achieve by using battery energy storage systems. It's also important to make sure the offer is within their budget. Platforms like EnergySage provide residential customers with free and detailed recommendations for installation of renewable energy facilities.

Residential customers can also get quotes directly from the battery storage system manufacturer's website. Over time, those who install battery storage will save even more.

5. Promote the three "E's"

When communicating with users, needs may aim to convey three main points - easy to install, easy to use and easy to see. Some battery storage systems can be easily installed and deployed alongside existing solar generation facilities, or can be directly connected to the grid. Deployed energy storage systems are cleaner, quieter and more aesthetically pleasing than fossil fuel or diesel generators.