ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Electrical panels for solar and home battery storage

Planning solar or a home battery? Request an electrical estimate that connects the panel and service work to your planned energy system, backup loads and utility connection.

Residential electrical equipment and home service setting — Panel work and the system’s connection method need a coordinated design.

Should I assess my panel before choosing solar or storage?

The panel work depends on the existing equipment, planned energy system, connection method and supported loads. Panel replacement, a service upgrade and a solar connection change solve different problems.

The proposal should explain which work your project needs and why; solar does not automatically require a new panel.

Will a battery need utility approval if I want backup power?

A battery that can operate in parallel with the grid may require utility interconnection even when backup is the goal. PSE has requirements for parallel storage systems, and Centralia uses a separate net-metering application and approval process.

Confirm the system’s operating modes and utility requirements for your address before treating the connection as approved.

What should the estimate and handover cover?

The estimate and handover should identify equipment, the electrical permit, utility application responsibilities, inspection and any permission required before operation. They should also state backup-load limits and restoration work.

Check incentive eligibility with the current program administrator before budgeting for it, and distinguish the electrical scope from utility approval or any savings estimate.

What should the operating plan explain?

Ask what happens during a utility outage, which circuits are supported and what changes when the grid returns. The selected system and approved design determine those behaviors.

A battery’s storage capacity alone does not describe the electrical connection or backup arrangement.
Keep the installed equipment information, inspection record and utility authorization together, and identify who supports later equipment changes.
A new EV charger or larger heat pump can require the design assumptions to be revisited.

Sources and scope

Primary-source research reviewed October 17, 2026 for electrical panels for solar and home battery storage. Code, utility standards and administrative guidance have different roles. Confirm current requirements for the project address.

Four different questions in one electrical project
Work	What it addresses	What to establish
Panel replacement	Distribution equipment and its condition	Equipment, circuits, compatibility and altered work
Service upgrade	Capacity supplying the home	Load assessment, service equipment and utility facilities
Utility work	Meter, connection and utility facilities	Engineering, approved equipment and authorized cutover
Permit & inspection	Applicable electrical requirements	The jobsite authority, permit holder and final approval

THE NEXT STEP

Plan the electrical work for solar and storage.

Connect panel work, backup loads and the system’s utility requirements in one scope. Get the electrical questions settled alongside the energy-system design.

Get your request qualifiedWe organize the project details, location and work type.
Plan the electrician handoffContractor fit, availability and scheduling support.
Agree your work directlyChoose your electrician and approve a written scope.

See the support behind your project