Residential Battery Storage

A simple guide for PG&E customers

A home battery can help you stay powered during outages, manage energy use, and support a cleaner energy system.

This guide explains how home batteries work and what to expect day to day. It's written for customers who are thinking about getting one or already have one.

This guide:

• Explains battery basics
• Helps set clear expectations
• Supports safe and confident use

This guide does not replace your manufacturer's manual or app.

Home batteries, explained

A home battery stores electricity for later use. Most systems are set up to back up selected rooms and appliances, not the whole home. During an outage, the battery turns on automatically and disconnects your home from the grid for safety. When grid power is unavailable, batteries can keep essentials like lights, medical equipment, refrigeration and Wi-Fi running.

Some customers with home batteries choose to enroll in programs that support clean energy and grid reliability—offered by PG&E and other companies.

Generally, if you join a demand response program with your battery:

• In demand response programs, there are multi-hour "events" during which your battery will be used to decrease the amount of energy you need from the grid.
• Your battery may send energy to the grid during events in some programs.
• Demand response program providers may pay customers incentives.

With one such program, PG&E's Automated Response Technology program (ART), your home battery can support the electric grid during times of high demand.

• Support a cleaner community by reducing reliance on fossil fuel generation.
• Help keep the grid reliable through your actions.
• Earn possible incentives* (varies by provider).

What to expect during an ART event:

• Events may take place at any time, and last 1 to 4 hours in a single day.
• You'll receive an email notification the day before an event.

Learn more or enroll at pge.com/art.

*Incentives are determined and paid by your Automated Response Technology provider, at their discretion. Contact your provider for specific information.

Your home battery can work in different operating modes. A mode is a setting that tells the battery what to do first.

Each battery manufacturer may use different names in their app, but most home batteries offer similar options.

1. Backup mode: Saves battery power and is ready to power your home during an outage.
2. Bill savings (time-based) mode: Uses stored power during higher cost hours under Time-of-Use (TOU) rates.
3. Self powered mode: Prioritizes storing and using electricity generated by your solar system and stored in your battery, rather than buying power from the grid.
4. Program or grid-support modes: If you participate in a PG&E or third party battery program to support clean energy and grid reliability, your battery may occasionally send stored energy to the grid during program events.

Home batteries are designed to help keep your home powered when the grid goes down.

When an outage occurs:

• Your home safely disconnects from the grid.
• Your battery turns on automatically.
• Only backed up circuits for specific rooms or appliances receive power.

How long backup lasts depends on battery size, energy usage and if you have solar.

Before wildfire season or storms, some customers:

• Raise the backup reserve setting. This saves more energy for outages.
• Check which circuits have back up power. This helps you know what will work during an outage.
• Make an outage plan. Use fewer high-power devices to help your battery last longer.

Most home batteries last about 10 to 15 years. Your battery may be nearing end-of-life if:

• It does not hold as much energy as it used to.
• Backup power lasts for a shorter time.
• You see alerts or messages in your battery app.
• Your manufacturer tells you the warranty period is ending.Your installer or battery manufacturer can help confirm whether your battery is near end of life.

 Important safety warning: Do not try to disconnect, remove or take apart your battery yourself. Home batteries:

• Are connected to your home's electrical system.
• Contain hazardous materials.
• Must be handled by trained professionals.

Trying to remove or disconnect a battery on your own could be unsafe and may cause damage or injury. Always work with your battery manufacturer, your installer or another qualified professional.

Battery disposal

Home batteries should never be placed in regular trash or recycling bins.

When your battery reaches end of life:

• Contact your battery manufacturer first. Many manufacturers offer recycling or take back programs.
• Contact your local or county waste authority. They can explain rules for hazardous materials in your area.

Manufacturers and certified recyclers are equipped to handle batteries safely.

Notifying PG&E when a battery is removed

If your battery will be permanently removed or decommissioned, your installer or contractor should handle this step and notify PG&E about this change to your system.