Solar vs. Battery: What Should You Get First?
Complete decision guide with real payback numbers for BC homes. Solar only? Battery only? Both at once? Here's the math.
The Core Question
You have ~$6,500 in BC rebates available for solar + battery (combined).
The question: Maximize savings by doing solar first + battery later? Or go all-in with both now?
Short answer: It depends on your goals. Solar + battery together give you the best total ROI, but solar-only has a faster payback if cash flow matters.
Option 1: Solar Only (Common Path)
✓ Pros:
- Fastest payback (3–5 years)
- Lower upfront cost ($10K–$13K after rebates)
- Start saving immediately on electric bill
- No battery maintenance worry
✗ Cons:
- No backup power during outages (vulnerable)
- Can't optimize for peak pricing under Schedule 2289
- Miss $1,200+/year extra earnings from battery
- May need to add battery later (double install costs)
Real example (Vancouver, 6kW solar):
• Cost: $15,000 → After $9K rebate = $6,000 net
• Year 1 savings: $1,200
• Payback: 5 years
• Year 10 savings: $12,000
Option 2: Battery Only (Rare)
✓ Pros:
- Backup power in outages (major)
- Get time-of-use savings ($150–$250/year)
- Ready for future solar addition
- Good for high-value neighborhoods prone to outages
✗ Cons:
- Longer payback without solar (8–10 years)
- Only works if you have solar (or grid charges it at off-peak)
- Missing bigger energy savings (heating + cooling = 60%+ bill)
- Higher cost for smaller energy reduction
Real example (Vancouver, 10kWh battery):
• Cost: $12,000 → After $1,500 rebate = $10,500 net
• Year 1 savings: $1,200 (time-of-use optimization)
• Payback: 8.75 years
• Year 10 savings: $12,000
Option 3: Solar + Battery Together (Best Total ROI)
✓ Pros:
- Backup power in outages (peace of mind)
- Extra $1,200+/year from battery time-of-use optimization
- Smart batteries (Eguana) automatically manage peak pricing
- Highest total 10-year savings (~$25K–$30K)
- One installation = less disruption than two
✗ Cons:
- Highest upfront cost ($23K–$25K before rebates)
- Longer payback to break even (5–7 years)
- Requires larger electrical upgrade ($$)
- More complex system (more to learn)
Real example (Vancouver, 6kW solar + 10kWh Eguana battery):
• Cost: $23,000 → After $10,500 rebate = $12,500 net
• Year 1 savings: $2,400 (solar + battery optimization)
• Payback: 5.2 years
• Year 10 savings: $24,000 + backup power value
Side-by-Side ROI Comparison (10 Years)
| Metric | Solar Only | Battery Only | Solar + Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront (after rebate) | $6,000 | $10,500 | $12,500 |
| Year 1 savings | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| Payback period | 5 years | 8.75 years | 5.2 years |
| 10-year total savings | $12,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Backup power in outage? | ❌ No | ✓ Yes (36 hrs) | ✓ Yes (36 hrs) |
| Peak pricing optimization? | ❌ No | ✓ Yes (Eguana) | ✓ Yes (Eguana) |
Which Path Is Right for You?
Choose SOLAR ONLY if:
- ✓ You want the fastest payback (3–5 years)
- ✓ Upfront cost is your constraint ($5K–$7K vs. $12K–$15K)
- ✓ You live in a grid-stable area (rare outages)
- ✓ You plan to add battery later (but costs more then)
Choose BATTERY ONLY if:
- ✓ You live in a high-outage area (rural, prone to blackouts)
- ✓ Backup power is your top priority
- ✓ You already have solar or can't fit it
- ✗ (Honestly, this is the rarest choice)
Choose SOLAR + BATTERY if:
- ✓ You want the best 10-year ROI ($24K total savings)
- ✓ You want backup power + peace of mind
- ✓ You can swing the upfront cost ($12K–$15K net)
- ✓ You're doing it once and want the full benefit
- ✓ This is the choice most BC homeowners should make
What About Schedule 2289? (BC Hydro Rate Change)
TL;DR: Batteries just got smarter under the new BC Hydro net billing rate.
Starting July 1, 2026, BC Hydro pays 10¢/kWh for excess power. Smart batteries like Eguana Evolve can now automatically discharge during peak hours (4–9pm) to maximize earnings.
This makes battery + solar even more valuable. You're not just saving energy; you're making money by timing when you export power.
Battery-only ROI improved ~15% under Schedule 2289. Solar + Battery ROI improved ~20%.
Bottom line: If you're deciding between solar only and solar + battery, the new Schedule 2289 tips the scales toward getting both. The extra $1,200+/year from battery time-of-use optimization is real money.
Financing Option
Most BC homeowners finance 70–80% and pay 20–30% down.
| Path | Down | Finance | Monthly (0%) | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar only | $1,200 | $4,800 | $267 | $100 |
| Solar + Battery | $2,500 | $10,000 | $556 | $200 |
Key: Most homeowners get 0% financing for 18–24 months from installers. After that, rates go to 7–9%. Monthly savings usually cover or exceed your payment.
Next Steps
- Decide on your path: Solar only? Battery only? Both? (Usually both is right.)
- Get 2–3 quotes: Compare total cost after rebates, not sticker price
- Ask about Schedule 2289 optimization: Does their battery system handle peak pricing automatically?
- Check if Eguana Evolve is an option: It's the only battery optimized for BC Hydro's new rate structure
- Verify HPCN certification: Required to claim rebates as of June 2026