Battery add-on
Add a battery to the solar you already have
Battery-only installs for existing solar owners in Oregon, no matter who installed your system.
- Oregon-owned since 2009
- 3,500+ systems installed
- Updated November 4, 2026
The short answer
Yes, you can add a battery to existing solar in most cases, even if another company installed it. Most retrofits use an AC-coupled battery that connects to your electrical panel, so it works alongside the inverter you already have. National Solar adds batteries to systems we installed, systems from other installers, and systems whose installer has gone out of business.
Updated
- Installed by another company?
- Yes, including closed installers
- Typical approach
- AC-coupled battery at your panel
- Time on site
- Usually a day or two
- Backup options
- Essentials or whole-home
- Incentives
- Energy Trust and utility battery programs
- Federal credit if you buy
- None since 2026
How it works
What a battery retrofit involves
Site visit: we check your inverter type, main electrical panel, roof-mounted equipment and where the battery can go.
Backup plan: choose essentials (fridge, lights, internet, furnace fan, well pump) or larger whole-home backup.
Design and permit: we handle permits and utility paperwork, including incentive applications.
Install: most battery-only installs take a day or two on site.
Compatibility
Will a battery work with my system?
| Your existing system | Typical battery approach | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Enphase microinverters | Enphase IQ Battery, AC-coupled | Usually the simplest add-on; solar can keep charging during an outage |
| String inverter (SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius and others) | AC-coupled battery | Works in most homes; whether panels keep producing during an outage depends on the inverter |
| SunPower or another closed installer | AC-coupled battery after a system check | We check monitoring and equipment health first |
| Older system (10+ years) | Battery plus possible inverter upgrade | Sometimes it's worth replacing an aging inverter at the same time |
Enphase microinverters
- Typical battery approach
- Enphase IQ Battery, AC-coupled
- What to know
- Usually the simplest add-on; solar can keep charging during an outage
String inverter (SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius and others)
- Typical battery approach
- AC-coupled battery
- What to know
- Works in most homes; whether panels keep producing during an outage depends on the inverter
SunPower or another closed installer
- Typical battery approach
- AC-coupled battery after a system check
- What to know
- We check monitoring and equipment health first
Older system (10+ years)
- Typical battery approach
- Battery plus possible inverter upgrade
- What to know
- Sometimes it's worth replacing an aging inverter at the same time
Incentives
What helps pay for a battery
Energy Trust of Oregon battery storage incentives for PGE and Pacific Power customers, with higher amounts for income-qualified homes.
Pacific Power's Wattsmart Battery program and PGE's Smart Battery program pay you to share your battery during peak events.
A battery bought outright has had no federal credit since 2026. Third-party-owned storage stays eligible for the 48E credit longer than solar does.
Why Oregon chooses National Solar
One local team designs, installs, and services every system, backed by Oregon's top solar honors.
Oregon homeowners trust National Solar
Hundreds of 5-star reviews from Bend to the coast, from customers who chose a local team they can still call years after installation.
Existing solar owners
Get a battery estimate for your current system
Tell us your inverter brand if you know it. We'll confirm compatibility and price a battery for the circuits you care about.
Battery add-on questions
Straight answers from the local team.
Sources
Updated by the National Solar team.
National Solar is not a tax advisor. Federal credit eligibility depends on who owns the system, when construction begins and when it is placed in service. Confirm your situation with a tax professional. Incentive amounts vary by utility and income and are not guaranteed.