Solar + Storage

The grid went down. Your roof didn't get the memo.

Solar panels generate electricity. Batteries store it. Together, they give your Texas home something the grid can't promise: self-sufficient backup power that recharges itself every morning. When the grid goes down, your panels keep feeding your battery, and your battery keeps powering your home. Day after day after day. And the federal government will pay for 30% of it.

The Full Picture

How Solar + Storage Works Together

Solar alone doesn't help during outages. Battery alone has limited capacity. Together, they create a system that generates, stores, and deploys power on demand.

01

Panels generate power

Your solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. In Texas, that's an average of 5-6 peak sun hours per day—some of the best solar conditions in the country.

02

Battery stores excess

Whatever you don't use immediately gets stored in your battery. It charges during the day and holds that energy for when you need it—at night or during an outage.

03

Grid drops, battery kicks in

When the grid fails, your battery takes over instantly. Your solar panels keep generating and feeding the battery while it powers your home.

04

Solar recharges daily

Each morning, your panels recharge the battery. Extended outage? No problem. As long as the sun rises, your battery refills and your home stays powered.

The Solar Advantage

Why Solar Changes the Backup Power Equation

Without solar, every backup system has a limit—battery capacity runs out, generator fuel runs out. Solar changes the math because it generates new energy every day.

Self-recharging backup

A battery-only system gives you 4-24 hours of backup. Add solar, and your battery recharges every morning. During a multi-day summer outage—the exact scenario Texas is known for—solar means your battery never fully depletes. Your backup becomes renewable.

30% federal tax credit

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) gives you 30% back on the total system cost—solar panels, batteries, inverters, and installation. On a $40,000 system, that's $12,000 off your federal taxes. The battery only qualifies when paired with solar. Available through at least 2032.

Energy independence

Solar + battery means you're generating and consuming your own electricity. During normal grid operation, you reduce or eliminate your electricity bill. During outages, you're self-sufficient. Texas has some of the highest electricity rates in the deregulated market—solar cuts that exposure.

Home value boost

Solar systems increase Texas home values by an average of 4.1% according to Zillow research—that's roughly $8,200 on a $200,000 home. On higher-value homes in Southlake or Frisco, the value add is proportionally larger. Combined with battery backup, it's a significant differentiator in the Texas market.

The Numbers

The 30% Federal Tax Credit, Explained

How the ITC works in practice

Total system cost (solar + battery + installation)$40,000
30% federal tax credit- $12,000
Your net cost$28,000

Key details

  • It's a tax credit, not a deduction—dollar-for-dollar reduction in what you owe the IRS
  • Applies to solar panels, batteries (when paired with solar), inverters, wiring, and installation labor
  • Available through at least 2032 at the 30% rate under the Inflation Reduction Act
  • If your tax bill is less than the credit, it rolls forward to future tax years
  • Batteries must receive at least 80% of their charge from solar to qualify
  • No income limits or caps on the credit amount

Important: Always consult with a tax professional about your specific situation. The credit is real and substantial, but your personal tax liability determines how you claim it. Your solar installer can provide documentation, but they're not tax advisors—and neither are we.

Configurations

Sample Solar + Storage Configurations

Real-world setups our installers commonly deploy. Prices include all equipment and installation.

Solar + Battery Starter

8-10 kW solar array (20-25 panels)
1x Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh)
$25,000–$35,000 before tax credit$17,500–$24,500 after 30% ITC

Essential backup with solar recharging. Great starting point for most Texas homes.

Covers 60-80% of your electricity usage and provides 4-12 hours of battery backup. During extended outages, solar recharges the battery daily—giving you indefinite essential power through daylight hours.

Whole-Home Solar + Storage

12-16 kW solar array (30-40 panels)
2-3x Tesla Powerwall 3 (27-40.5 kWh)
$45,000–$65,000 before tax credit$31,500–$45,500 after 30% ITC

Full energy independence with whole-home backup including AC.

Covers 90-100%+ of your electricity usage. Multiple batteries provide 12-24+ hours of whole-home backup. Solar recharges batteries daily, potentially providing indefinite backup during summer outages when sun is abundant.

Solar + Battery + Generator

10-14 kW solar array (25-35 panels)
2x FranklinWH (27.2 kWh)
Kohler 20kW
$55,000–$75,000 before tax credit$42,000–$58,000 (30% ITC on solar + battery only)

The ultimate setup. Solar, battery, and generator with smart management.

FranklinWH manages all three power sources seamlessly. Solar is primary, battery handles transitions and nighttime, generator is the final backstop. You're covered in every scenario—extended clouds, multi-day outages, anything.

Every roof is different. Panel count, battery size, and cost depend on your roof orientation, shading, electricity usage, and backup goals. Take the 3-minute assessment →

Full Transparency

We're Not a Solar Company

Let's be upfront: we don't install solar panels. We don't sell them. We don't have a warehouse full of panels waiting for your roof. We're an advisory and matchmaking service.

The solar industry has a reputation problem—aggressive sales tactics, misleading savings claims, lease-vs-own confusion, and fly-by-night installers who disappear after the sale. We exist because Texas homeowners told us they wanted someone to cut through the noise.

Here's what we do: help you figure out if solar + storage makes sense for your specific situation, connect you with vetted local installers who are licensed, insured, and have track records in Texas, and let those installers compete for your business with honest quotes. We earn a referral fee from the installer you choose. That's our entire model.

If solar doesn't make sense for your home—wrong roof orientation, too much shading, or a standalone battery or generator is a better fit—we'll tell you that. We'd rather lose a lead than waste your time.

Decision Guide

Is Solar + Storage Right for You?

Solar + storage is a great fit if...

  • You want backup power that recharges itself during extended outages
  • You want to claim the 30% federal tax credit (significant savings)
  • Your roof gets good sun exposure (south or west-facing, minimal shading)
  • You plan to stay in your home for 7+ years (solar payback timeline)
  • You want to reduce your monthly electricity bill alongside backup
  • You value energy independence and self-sufficiency
  • You're comfortable with a higher upfront investment for long-term returns

Solar might not be the best path if...

  • Your roof is heavily shaded by trees or neighboring structures
  • Your roof needs replacement soon (do the roof first, then solar)
  • You're planning to move within 3-5 years (payback won't complete)
  • You just want simple backup power (a battery or generator alone works)
  • Your HOA has solar restrictions (increasingly rare in Texas, but check)
  • Your primary concern is unlimited runtime (a generator may be simpler)
Common Questions

Solar + Storage FAQ

No. Batteries work fine charging from the grid alone—they charge when rates are low and discharge during outages. But pairing with solar unlocks two major benefits: (1) the battery recharges from solar during extended outages, giving you potentially indefinite backup, and (2) the entire battery system qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit when paired with solar. Without solar, you still get great backup—you just miss the tax credit and the self-recharging capability.

Explore Other Options

Find out if solar + storage makes sense for your Texas home.

Our free assessment takes 3 minutes and gives you an honest recommendation. If solar isn't the right fit, we'll tell you what is.

Get Your Free Assessment