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ZDNET's key takeaways
Sixty percent of households saw multiple power outages last year
Those with solar are most likely to seek whole-home backup
Fifty-seven percent of solar users also want a battery for self-supply
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Some of today's solar-equipped households are facing a mean case of energy envy. On the plus side, they've cut their monthly electric bills -- in some cases, north of 75%, according to new data from research firm Habitilligence. Their self-consumption during sunlight hours provides some buffer against price swings, and they're more than likely contributing energy back to a strained power grid.
All good stuff.
On the flip side, though, every time the power goes out, they helplessly stew over the amount of energy they're not tapping into without any mechanism to store what they produce. In some states, they're also locked into a "buy high, sell low" crediting system with their local utility based on when and how they use power.
Also: The best home battery and backup systems of 2025: Expert tested
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