Energy Backup can be retrofitted to homes with third-party solar — and this article explains exactly how. Use it to get ahead of the objections and give your sales team a clear, confident answer.
The core principle
Energy Backup is an AC-coupled system added to the home's electrical system — not the solar system. The question is never "who owns the solar?" It's "can the battery be installed without touching the TPO provider's equipment?" In almost all cases, the answer is yes.
Energy Backup connects to the home's electrical system, not the PV system. No modules, inverters, or DC wiring are touched.
The TPO provider's UCC-1 filing covers their solar equipment — the battery sits completely outside that boundary.
The Energy Backup lease is its own standalone contract. It has nothing to do with the customer's existing solar agreement.
The customer's PPA rate, solar warranty, and performance guarantee are untouched.
Adding a battery is no different than adding an EV charger or upgrading a main panel — basic electrical improvements a homeowner has every right to make.
The three scenarios you'll encounter
Customer has a third-party PPA or lease (SunPower, Sunrun, etc.)
Most common objection. The incumbent provider may push back — but they have no legitimate authority to block an AC-coupled battery install that doesn't touch their equipment. Respect genuine technical restrictions; don't accept a competitive objection dressed up as a technical one.
Customer has a third-party loan or cash-purchase system
Straightforward. The customer owns the solar outright, and no TPO restriction applies. The install is a standard retrofit.
Customer's existing system has monitoring or safety equipment that could be affected
Assess the system design. A properly designed AC-coupled retrofit preserves the existing PV system's functionality and monitoring. If a design accommodation is needed, make it — don't walk away.
The competitive context partners need to understand
Many incumbent TPO providers also sell batteries to their own installed base. Blocking a third-party battery install protects that pipeline from competition. When an incumbent says "you can't install that," ask whether it's a technical restriction or a business one. They're not the same thing.
What to tell the customer
The solar provider is responsible for their solar system. Palmetto is responsible for the battery. The two systems, agreements, and warranties remain completely separate. Give the homeowner confidence — and don't leave them without a backup option simply because an incumbent says no.
Bottom line for sales
Third-party-owned solar does not disqualify a home from Energy Backup. Present the facts, install to the standard, and don't walk away from the customer.