A 13.5 kWh home battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase IQ Battery 10, LG ESS) costs roughly $13,500 installed in 2026. In California with NEM 3.0, battery payback runs 7 to 9 years because the battery shifts export to high-price hours. In 1 to 1 net-metering states (OH, PA, TX with right REP), battery payback is 12 to 16 years. Math favors solar without battery in those states.
Payback math by state
California NEM 3.0: 7 to 9 years. Battery shifts export from low-price midday to high-price evening, capturing the time-of-export arbitrage.
Texas with high-buyback REP: 11 to 14 years. Outage value adds 1 to 2 years of effective payback.
Ohio 1:1 net metering: 14 to 18 years. Battery offers little arbitrage benefit because exports already credit at retail rate.
Tesla Powerwall vs Enphase IQ vs LG ESS
Tesla Powerwall 3: 13.5 kWh capacity, $11,500 hardware, integrated inverter. Most-installed in 2026.
Enphase IQ Battery 10: 10 kWh, $9,500 hardware, modular and stackable. Best for retrofit on existing Enphase solar.
LG ESS Home 8: 16 kWh, $14,200 hardware, premium efficiency. Niche fit for high-load homes.
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