Long Island Power Solutions pushes home battery upgrades for solar customers

Power Solutions is urging Long Island homeowners with solar-only systems to add battery storage in 2026, saying the upgrade can raise savings and keep power on during outages. The Ronkonkoma installer says batteries are especially valuable as time-of-use electric rates make evening power more expensive and storm-related outages remain a risk.

Why it matters: - Power Solutions says home battery storage can help solar customers capture more value from existing panels. - The upgrade can reduce grid dependence during peak-rate hours and provide backup power when outages hit Long Island. - The pitch comes as time-of-use pricing makes evening electricity more expensive for many households.

What happened: - Power Solutions, a Long Island solar contractor based in Ronkonkoma, NY, is encouraging homeowners in 2026 to add battery energy storage to solar-only systems. - The company says a solar battery is a drop-in upgrade that can increase annual savings for solar households. - Owner Joe Milillo said Power Solutions has installed more than 7,500 solar panel systems over the years. - Milillo said many of those systems were installed without batteries because homeowners were not ready for storage at the time.

The details: - Without battery storage, solar panels export excess daytime power to the grid and earn credit at the utility’s compensation rate. - When the home needs power after solar production drops, the household buys electricity at the retail rate. - With battery storage, excess daytime solar charges the battery first. - The battery can then power the home during peak evening hours when solar output falls. - Power Solutions says this setup can further reduce how much electricity the home draws from the grid. - The company says Long Island homeowners face a growing gap between midday solar production and higher-cost evening usage. - Storm risk is part of the sales pitch, especially in Suffolk County, where hurricanes, nor’easters and summer thunderstorms can trigger multi-day outages. - During outages, solar panels shut down with the grid to protect utility lines. - With battery storage, the home can enter island mode and keep lights and outlets running. - Power Solutions says adding battery storage to an existing solar system is usually more straightforward than a full installation because the needed infrastructure is often already in place. - The company reviews a household’s daily energy use and recent bills to recommend a battery sized for peak-time or overnight needs. - Homeowners can choose backup priorities, including whole-home coverage or a smaller setup for essential appliances, outlets and lighting. - Households may qualify for dynamic load management incentives if they allow the utility to use battery storage when the grid needs it. - Power Solutions says incentives are discussed during a free detailed consultation. - Power Solutions also says a free cost/benefit analysis can show how much more valuable a solar system could become with storage.

Between the lines: - The message positions battery storage less as a luxury add-on and more as a practical fix for aging solar-only systems. - The framing also suggests the company sees a sales opportunity in households that installed panels before storage became more common. - The emphasis on backup power reflects Long Island’s repeated exposure to outage-prone weather and rising concern about grid reliability.

What's next: - Homeowners considering the upgrade can get a consultation and system review from Power Solutions. - The company says it will evaluate incentives and backup options case by case. - Long Island solar customers weighing storage will need to compare upfront cost, outage protection and potential savings under local rate structures.

The bottom line: - Power Solutions is betting that battery storage will become the most meaningful upgrade for solar homeowners who want both stronger bill savings and outage protection. - More information is available on the company’s website.