Tactical Glossary

The practice of buying energy from the grid when it is cheap (off-peak) and selling it back or using it when it is expensive (peak). Requires a battery.

A cloud-based network of decentralized batteries (like Tesla Powerwalls) that act as a single power plant to stabilize the grid during high demand.

The Federal Solar Tax Credit. A 30% dollar-for-dollar reduction in your federal income tax bill for the cost of solar and battery hardware.

California's net metering rule that slashed solar export rates by ~75%, making batteries essential for ROI.

A battery chemistry known for safety, long life (6000+ cycles), and thermal stability. Preferred over NMC for home storage.

A utility rate plan where electricity costs more during 'Peak' hours (usually 4PM-9PM) and less during 'Off-Peak' hours.

A specific location on the electrical grid (like a city or substation) with its own pricing, congestion, and stability metrics.

The ability of a solar+battery system to disconnect from the grid and power the home independently during a blackout.

A prolonged period of high demand for energy assets, driven by the convergence of AI compute power, EV adoption, and grid instability.

All components of a solar system other than the panels (e.g., racking, wiring, conduit, fuses).