1. Make electricity
Panels on your roof or in your yard turn sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter converts it into AC electricity your home can use.
Solar explained
Sunlight to everyday life.
Simple, connected energy.
Understand how solar, battery storage and the grid work together—without the technical overload.
How solar works
Three pieces.
One connected home.
2. Power your home
Solar can supply household loads while it is producing. Your home draws from the grid when it needs more energy than the system provides.
3. Store energy for later
A compatible battery charges from solar or permitted grid charging. It releases stored energy in the evening, during peak-price hours or during an outage, within its power and capacity limits. As net metering credits shrink in some states, storing your own solar is becoming the main way to get full value from it.
Learn more →Battery backup, in detail
Plan backup around
what you need to keep on.
Every backup design starts with two numbers. Capacity (kWh) is how much energy the battery holds, which sets how long it lasts. Power (kW) is how much it can deliver at once, which sets what can run at the same time. Motors in well pumps, sump pumps and air conditioners also need a short burst of starting power, so we check surge ratings too.
When the grid goes down, a backup gateway or transfer equipment disconnects your home from the utility lines. This protects line workers and lets your solar keep producing. On a sunny day, the panels recharge the battery while you use it, so backup can stretch across several days.
Without that equipment, a grid-tied solar system shuts off during an outage even in full sun.
Example: essential loads for one day
| Refrigerator | about 1.5 kWh |
|---|---|
| LED lights, internet, phones and TV | about 1.5 kWh |
| Gas furnace fan (winter) | about 2 kWh |
| Sump or well pump | about 1 kWh |
| Total essentials | about 6 kWh/day |
A 13.5 kWh battery could cover these loads for about two days with no sun, and longer when solar recharges it. Central air conditioning, electric heat or an EV charger can use more than this in a few hours.
Illustrative estimates. Your usage, equipment and weather determine actual backup time.
Keep the important circuits on
A dedicated backup panel or smart panel powers selected circuits such as the fridge, lights, internet, medical devices and a pump. One battery often covers this.
Run the house as usual
Covers every circuit, including larger loads. It usually needs multiple batteries, higher output and a review of your electrical service. Smart load controls can pause big appliances so the system is not overloaded.
Use your battery when the grid is up
Store midday solar for the evening, cut usage during time-of-use peak hours, and, in some areas, earn payments by joining a virtual power plant. Most systems keep a backup reserve you choose.
Upcoming net metering changes
Credit rules are changing.
Timing matters.
Net metering credits the solar you send to the grid. Several states in our service area changed the rules in 2026. In most cases, systems approved under the current rules keep them, so the date your system receives utility approval can matter.
Current net metering closes July 1, 2027
The Utility RELIEF Act, signed in May 2026, closes today’s retail-rate net metering to new projects on July 1, 2027, or earlier if the 3,000 MW statewide cap is reached. A successor program with lower export credits starts after that. The Public Service Commission must approve its framework by February 1, 2027.
Systems that qualify under the current program keep their terms. Permits and utility approval can take several months, so plan ahead.
Dominion’s new tariff keeps annual netting
In April 2026, the State Corporation Commission approved Dominion Energy’s successor tariff. It keeps 12-month netting, slightly raises the payment for yearly excess, and adds a $1 monthly administrative fee for new customers. Existing net metering customers stay on their current tariff. Appalachian Power’s net metering was also preserved in 2025.
The 8% net metering cap is removed
Senate Bill 239, signed in June 2026, eliminates the cap that limited net metering to 8% of utility load. Grid capacity can still limit new connections in parts of Kent and Sussex counties, where battery storage is helping.
Check your utility’s current tariff
We are not aware of announced changes to residential net metering in these areas. Credit values and annual settlement rates differ by utility and change over time, so we review your current tariff before we size your system.
Policy information reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, deadlines and program details can change. Confirm current terms with your utility or state regulator.
Virtual power plants
Your battery can help
the grid, and pay you.
A virtual power plant (VPP) links many home batteries, EV chargers and smart thermostats so a utility or aggregator can call on them during peak demand. When you enroll, the program may briefly discharge your battery or shift usage during a limited number of events. In return, you earn bill credits or payments. You keep a backup reserve for outages and control your system the rest of the time.
Programs require compatible equipment and approved enrollment. Payment amounts, event limits and eligible brands are set by each program.
Ask about VPP-ready batteriesDRIVE Act programs
Under Maryland’s 2024 DRIVE Act, BGE and Pepco have proposed two-year VPP pilots that include customer-owned batteries and EVs, and Potomac Edison has a residential demand response program. The Public Service Commission is reviewing and shaping these programs.
Dominion VPP pilot
A 2025 state law directed Dominion Energy to launch a VPP pilot with incentives for home batteries. Dominion filed its plan in December 2025, with enrollment expected to begin around late 2026 if regulators approve it. Appalachian Power must propose its own pilot by July 2027.
Delaware, Pennsylvania and DC programs vary by utility. We will tell you what is available at your address.
Daylight, evening & outages
Energy follows
the needs of your home.
In daylight, solar can serve your home and charge a compatible battery. In the evening, stored energy or the grid can supply your loads. During an outage, a properly configured backup system isolates from the grid and supports selected loads.
Storage is a reserve—not an unlimited supply.
Battery capacity (kWh) is the amount of energy stored. Power (kW) is how much can be delivered at once. Weather, starting charge and the appliances running determine backup duration.
Explore battery storageWhy homeowners choose solar + battery
More control.
More possibilities.
Buy less electricity
Solar can reduce grid purchases. Savings depend on production, usage, rates, project cost and financing; fixed utility charges may remain.
Prepare for outages
Compatible storage and backup controls can keep selected circuits running. We design around the loads that matter to you.
Learn more →Use export credits
Eligible Maryland customers can receive credit for surplus electricity delivered to the grid.
Learn more →