Why Sunlink Only Offers Solar + Battery (And Why It Protects You)

The Solar-Only Trap

Many solar companies sell panel-only systems because it makes the price look lower and closes more sales. But a solar-only system is a bet — a bet that net metering policies will stay favorable for 25 years. That's a bet you'll lose. California already gutted net metering with NEM 3.0. Arizona reduced export rates to pennies. Texas's deregulated market never had strong net metering to begin with. Solar-only systems in these states are now significantly underperforming their original savings projections.

Net Metering Is Changing Everywhere

The trend is clear: utilities across America are reducing or eliminating favorable net metering. Here's why:

• California: NEM 3.0 reduced export credits by ~75% (April 2023)
• Arizona: APS and SRP offer minimal export credits with demand charges
• Texas: Deregulated market means REP buyback rates are much lower than retail
• Florida: Net metering has survived legislative challenges — but for how long?
• 40+ states have modified or are considering modifying net metering policies
• Utilities view high net metering as a revenue loss they want to eliminate

Battery Storage Is Only Getting Better and Cheaper

Battery costs have dropped 80% in the last decade, and the technology keeps improving. Adding a battery to your solar system today costs $8,000-$12,000 — and that cost will continue to decrease. But the value a battery provides is increasing as net metering declines and electricity rates rise. It's the best-improving asset in your energy system.

• Battery costs: Down 80% since 2015
• Battery capacity: Increasing 10-15% per generation
• Battery lifespan: 15-20+ years in modern systems
• Battery value: Increasing as net metering declines
• Solar + battery eliminates grid dependency entirely during outages

Sunlink's Promise: Protection-First Design

Sunlink includes battery storage with every system because solar is a 25-year investment and we refuse to sell you a system that might be underperforming in 5 years due to policy changes. When we design your system, we optimize for self-consumption (using your own solar power during peak hours) rather than grid export. This means your savings are locked in regardless of what utilities do with net metering. It's not about selling you more equipment — it's about building a system that performs for the full 25 years.