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Connecticut's ESS program pays $250-$600/kWh upfront plus $212/kW/year for demand response. With the new $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment hitting all RRES production, batteries have become the single most important addition to a CT solar system in 2026.
$250/kWh
Standard Upfront
All homeowners
$600/kWh
Low-Income Upfront
Income-qualified
$212/kW/yr
Performance Incentive
Years 1-5
$16,000
Max Incentive
Or 50% of cost
Section 25D is dead. The federal residential solar/battery tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is $0 federal ITC for homeowner purchases in 2026. The CT ESS state incentive is your primary battery incentive now.
Administered by EnergizeCT and the CT Green Bank, the ESS program provides both upfront incentives and ongoing performance payments for residential battery systems paired with solar. The program has three income-based tiers.
| Tier | $/kWh | 13.5 kWh Example | Max Incentive | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $250/kWh | $3,375 | $16,000 or 50% | All CT homeowners |
| Underserved Community | $450/kWh | $6,075 | $16,000 or 50% | Economically distressed municipalities (Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, etc.) |
| Low-Income | $600/kWh | $8,100 | $16,000 or 50% | Income-qualified households (varies by household size) |
Here is what each tier looks like for a standard 13.5 kWh battery (Tesla Powerwall 3) with an installed cost of approximately $13,500.
Rate
$250/kWh
Calculation
13.5 kWh x $250 = $3,375
Installed Cost
~$13,500 (typical)
Net Cost After ESS
~$10,125
Rate
$450/kWh
Calculation
13.5 kWh x $450 = $6,075
Installed Cost
~$13,500 (typical)
Net Cost After ESS
~$7,425
Rate
$600/kWh
Calculation
13.5 kWh x $600 = $8,100
Installed Cost
~$13,500 (typical)
Net Cost After ESS
~$5,400
The 50% cap means if your battery costs $12,000, the maximum incentive is $6,000 regardless of tier rate. For most standard-tier installations, the $250/kWh x capacity calculation applies because it falls under both the $16,000 and 50% caps.
Beyond the upfront incentive, your battery earns ongoing revenue by participating in demand response events during summer peak periods. The utility dispatches your battery when the grid is stressed — you get paid for the service.
Years 1-5: Summer Peak
$212/kW/year
5 kW x $212 = ~$1,060/year
5-year subtotal: ~$5,300
Years 6-10: Summer Peak
$130/kW/year
5 kW x $130 = ~$650/year
5-year subtotal: ~$3,250
Total 10-Year Performance Revenue
~$8,550
Plus $3,375 upfront incentive
Combined 10-Year ESS Value (Standard Tier)
~$11,925
vs. ~$13,500 battery installed cost
Grid Stress Event
Utility detects high demand during summer afternoon/evening peaks
Battery Dispatch
Your battery automatically discharges to reduce grid load
Load Reduction
Your home draws from battery instead of grid during peak hours
Payment
You receive performance incentive payment based on kW capacity
Batteries installed in grid-constrained locations receive a 50% bonus on the upfront incentive. These are areas where the local distribution grid is under the most stress and battery storage provides the greatest relief.
| Tier | Standard Rate | Grid Edge Rate (1.5x) | Grid Edge Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $250/kWh | $375/kWh | $5,063 |
| Underserved Community | $450/kWh | $675/kWh | $9,113 |
| Low-Income | $600/kWh | $900/kWh | $12,150 |
This is the section that changes the battery math for every CT solar customer. The Solar Energy Adjustment makes self-consumption the single most valuable strategy for new RRES enrollees — and batteries are the primary tool to increase it.
$0.0402/kWh on ALL solar production
New 2026 RRES enrollees pay $0.0402 per kWh on total system production — an 8x increase from the prior $0.005/kWh rate. For an 11 kW system producing 12,925 kWh/year, that is $520/year deducted from your RRES value.
Battery does NOT eliminate the adjustment
The charge is measured at the inverter on total production, not just exports. Storing power in a battery still counts as production. However, the battery strategy improves your net position through increased self-consumption value.
While the adjustment applies regardless of consumption pattern, increasing self-consumption shifts more of your solar value to the highest-return use: avoiding utility purchases at the full retail rate.
Battery Self-Consumption Advantage
+$1/year
Higher self-consumption shifts more value to retail rate, improving net position
The $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment is the same whether you have a battery or not — it is charged on total production. But a battery increases your self-consumption from ~35% to ~55%, meaning more of your solar is consumed at the full retail rate ($0.29/kWh) instead of exported as credits. Combined with the ESS performance incentive (~$1,060/year), a battery substantially improves the economics for 2026 RRES enrollees facing this higher adjustment. The battery does not eliminate the adjustment, but it improves your net position by approximately $1/year in additional self-consumption value, plus demand response payments.
Without a battery, a typical CT home consumes only 35% of its solar production directly. The rest is exported to the grid for credits. A battery captures midday surplus and delivers it during evening peak hours when your home needs it most.
6-9 AM
Grid powers home (battery would discharge)
9 AM - 3 PM
Most solar EXPORTED (wasted at credit rate)
3-9 PM
Grid powers home during expensive peak
9 PM - 6 AM
Grid powers home all night
6-9 AM
Battery discharges to cover morning load
9 AM - 3 PM
Surplus charges battery FIRST, less exported
3-9 PM
Battery powers evening peak (highest value)
9 PM - 6 AM
Battery covers partial overnight, then grid
35% → 55%
Self-Consumption Increase
+20 percentage points with single battery
+2,585
Additional kWh Self-Consumed
Per year, valued at retail rate
+$1
Extra Annual Value
From higher self-consumption alone
The following batteries are approved for the CT ESS program. All must be paired with solar PV and enrolled in demand response through your utility.
Most popular in CT. 13.5 kWh usable. Integrated inverter. Storm Guard feature.
Capacity
13.5 kWh
Output
11.5 kW
Chemistry
LFP
Warranty
10 years
Legacy model. Still installed and ESS-eligible. 13.5 kWh usable.
Capacity
13.5 kWh
Output
5 kW
Chemistry
NMC
Warranty
10 years
Modular — stack 1-4 units. Pairs with Enphase microinverters. LFP chemistry = longer life.
Capacity
5 kWh
Output
3.84 kW
Chemistry
LFP
Warranty
15 years
Larger Enphase module. Stack up to 4 for 40 kWh total capacity.
Capacity
10 kWh
Output
3.84 kW
Chemistry
LFP
Warranty
15 years
Pairs with SolarEdge inverter. DC-coupled for high efficiency.
Capacity
9.7 kWh
Output
5 kW
Chemistry
NMC
Warranty
10 years
Modular 3-6 battery modules. Integrates with Generac generator ecosystem.
Capacity
9 kWh
Output
4.5 kW
Chemistry
NMC
Warranty
10 years
Premium smart home battery. LFP chemistry. Smart home integration. Made in USA.
Capacity
12 kWh
Output
8 kW
Chemistry
LFP
Warranty
15 years / 15,000 cycles
LFP vs NMC Chemistry
LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries like the Powerwall 3, Enphase, and sonnen offer longer cycle life (5,000-10,000 cycles) and better thermal stability. NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries like SolarEdge and some Generac models offer higher energy density but shorter cycle life (~3,000-5,000 cycles). For CT demand response, LFP is generally recommended due to the daily cycling requirements.
How does adding a battery affect your overall solar ROI? Here is a side-by-side comparison for an 11 kW system with 2026 RRES enrollment.
| Metric | Solar Only (11 kW) | Solar + Battery |
|---|---|---|
| System Cost | $31,570 | $45,070 |
| ESS Upfront Incentive | $0 | -$3,375 |
| Effective Cost | $31,570 | $41,695 |
| Self-Consumption | 35% | 55% |
| Annual RRES Net (after adjustment) | $3,228/yr | $3,229/yr |
| Annual Performance Incentive | $0/yr | $1,060/yr (yr 1-5) |
| Total Annual Value (Year 1) | $3,228/yr | ~$4,288/yr |
| Approximate Payback | ~8.9 years | ~8.4 years |
The battery adds ~$13,500 to system cost but the ESS upfront incentive ($3,375) and performance incentive (~$1,060/yr) offset most of that cost. Combined with higher self-consumption value (+$1/yr), the net payback for solar+battery is comparable to solar-only — while providing backup power and demand response revenue.
Connecticut faces significant storm exposure from hurricanes, nor'easters, ice storms, and summer thunderstorms. Extended outages are not hypothetical — they happen regularly. A battery turns your solar system into a resilient power source when the grid fails.
Tropical Storm Isaias (Aug 2020) — 700K+ outages
Winter Storm Elliott (Dec 2022) — 100K+ outages
Oct 2011 Snowtober — 800K+ outages, 11-day recovery
Recurring summer storms across Eversource territory
10-14 hrs
Essential Loads Only
Refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, phone charging
Indefinite*
Solar + Battery Cycling
*With sunlight — battery recharges daily from panels
Automatic
Seamless Switchover
Grid fails, battery takes over in milliseconds
For homes with medical equipment, sump pumps, or well pumps, battery backup is not a luxury — it is essential infrastructure. The CT ESS program effectively subsidizes this resilience through the upfront and performance incentives.
Battery installation costs in CT range from $12,000 to $15,000 depending on the model, electrical panel requirements, and installer pricing. Here is what you actually pay after the ESS incentive for each tier.
| Cost Component | Standard | Underserved | Low-Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery installed cost | $12,000-$15,000 | $12,000-$15,000 | $12,000-$15,000 |
| ESS upfront incentive | -$3,375 | -$6,075 | -$8,100 |
| Net upfront cost (midpoint) | ~$10,125 | ~$7,425 | ~$5,400 |
| Yr 1-5 performance incentive | ~$1,060/yr ($5,300 total) | ~$1,060/yr ($5,300 total) | ~$1,060/yr ($5,300 total) |
| Yr 6-10 performance incentive | ~$650/yr ($3,250 total) | ~$650/yr ($3,250 total) | ~$650/yr ($3,250 total) |
| 10-Year Total ESS Value | ~$11,925 | ~$14,625 | ~$16,650 |
Standard Tier
10-year net cost
~$1,575
ESS incentives cover ~88% of battery cost over 10 years
Underserved
10-year net cost
-$1,125
ESS incentives exceed battery cost (net positive)
Low-Income
10-year net cost
-$3,150
Significantly net positive — battery essentially free
No federal tax credit. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025. The numbers above reflect CT state ESS incentives only. If your battery is part of a PPA or lease, the third-party owner may still claim the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%) for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026.
Use our calculator to estimate your solar savings with and without a battery. All calculations include the $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment, CT tax exemptions, and ESS program incentives. No federal ITC is assumed.
Estimate your solar return on investment with RRES income, CT tax exemptions, and ESS battery incentives.
Federal Residential Solar Tax Credit (Section 25D) Expired
Homeowners who purchase solar with cash or a loan receive $0 in federal tax credits. Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Hartford, most of CT (north, east, central)
New 2026 enrollees pay $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment on all production
Electric Rate
$0.29/kWh
RRES Program
Netting Tariff
Solar Energy Adj.
$0.0402/kWh
Interconnection
4-8 weeks
Permanent exemption — solar adds $0 to your property tax bill
Payback
7.6
years
25-Year Savings
$133,649
total
Monthly
$323
per month
Estimates based on average 2026 CT solar pricing, RRES netting tariff at retail rate, $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment, 6.35% sales tax exemption, permanent property tax exemption (~2.04% effective rate), and ESS incentive at $250/kWh standard tier. Section 25D residential ITC expired Dec 31, 2025 — $0 federal tax credit for cash/loan purchases. CT has no state income tax credit for solar.
Common questions about the CT ESS program, battery eligibility, and how batteries interact with the RRES Solar Energy Adjustment.
The CT ESS program offers $250/kWh for standard, $450/kWh for underserved communities, and $600/kWh for low-income households. Maximum is $16,000 or 50% of installed cost, whichever is less. For a standard 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3, the standard-tier upfront incentive is $3,375.
The ESS performance incentive pays $212/kW per summer for years 1-5 and $130/kW for years 6-10 when your battery participates in demand response events during summer peak periods. For a typical 5 kW battery output, that is approximately $1,060/year for the first five years.
The Grid Edge adder is a 1.5x multiplier on the upfront ESS incentive for batteries installed in qualifying grid-constrained locations. If your area is designated as a Grid Edge zone, a standard $250/kWh incentive becomes $375/kWh. Your installer can verify if your address qualifies.
New 2026 RRES enrollees face a $0.0402/kWh Solar Energy Adjustment on all production (up from $0.005 for prior enrollees). A battery increases self-consumption from about 35% to 55%, meaning more of your solar power avoids export and is consumed at the full retail rate. This improves your net position against the adjustment, though it does not eliminate the charge entirely.
No. The Solar Energy Adjustment is charged on ALL solar production measured at the inverter, regardless of whether the energy is self-consumed, stored in a battery, or exported. However, a battery improves your overall economics by shifting more consumption to high-value self-use hours.
The residential Section 25D tax credit expired December 31, 2025. There is $0 federal tax credit for homeowner-purchased batteries in 2026. However, if your battery is part of a PPA or lease, the third-party system owner may claim the Section 48/48E commercial ITC (30%) for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. The CT ESS state incentive remains fully available.
Qualifying batteries include Tesla Powerwall 2 and 3, Enphase IQ Battery 5P and 10T, SolarEdge Home Battery, Generac PWRcell, and sonnen eco/ecoLinx. The battery must be paired with a solar system and enrolled in the ESS demand response program through your utility.
A standard 13.5 kWh battery like the Tesla Powerwall 3 can power essential loads (refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, phone charging) for approximately 10-14 hours. With solar panels generating during the day, a battery can potentially keep essentials running indefinitely during extended outages, cycling through charge and discharge each day.
For a standard-tier homeowner with an 11 kW solar system and 13.5 kWh battery, the effective payback is approximately 8-9 years when combining RRES netting credits, ESS upfront incentive ($3,375), performance incentive (~$1,060/year), increased self-consumption value, and CT tax exemptions. This is comparable to solar-only payback because the ESS incentives offset most of the battery cost.
Yes. The CT ESS program requires the battery to be paired with an on-site solar PV system enrolled in the RRES program. Standalone batteries without solar do not qualify for the ESS incentive. The battery must also be enrolled in the demand response program to receive the performance incentive.
CT RRES Program 2026
Complete guide to netting vs buy-all tariffs and the Solar Energy Adjustment
CT Net Metering 2026
How RRES netting credits work, rollover rules, and utility comparison
CT Solar Panel Cost 2026
Installation costs by city: $2.60-$3.10/W with ESS add-on pricing
Connecticut Solar Hub
All CT solar guides, city pages, and calculator tools
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