Will the majority (over 50%) of newly installed residential solar systems in the US include a battery energy storage system (BESS) before the end of 2026?

Solar-Plus-Storage Becomes the Standard: Over 50% of New Residential Installations by 2026

The residential solar industry is rapidly transitioning from pure electricity generation to integrated home energy management. This prediction is that over 50% of all newly installed residential solar systems in the United States will include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) before the end of 2026. This shift indicates that consumers now prioritize resilience and energy independence as much as cost savings.

Drivers of the Storage Boom

Several factors are pushing this integration:

• **Grid Instability:** Increasing frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters has highlighted the value of backup power and grid resilience.
• **Net Metering Changes:** Many utilities are reducing or eliminating 'net metering' programs that credit customers for sending excess power back to the grid. Storing that power locally (self-consumption) becomes financially smarter.
• **Cost Reduction:** The cost of lithium-ion battery technology continues to fall, making the BESS component a more viable investment.
• **Incentives:** Federal and state tax incentives, like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), often apply to both solar and storage, making combined systems highly attractive.

The convergence of these economic and practical factors is accelerating the market. Achieving a 50% adoption rate by 2026 is a strong possibility, marking the end of the standalone solar era and the beginning of the integrated energy home.