Connecticut Energy Storage Solutions Program: 2026 Guide
Connecticut pays homeowners to install a battery and share it with the grid during peak demand. The program changed on April 1, 2026. Here is how the new incentives work and what they are worth.
Call (860) 969-4006Key Facts
- Run by the CT Green Bank, Eversource and United Illuminating since January 2022.
- Enrollment incentive since April 1, 2026: $30 per kWh, or $130 per kWh on grid edge circuits.
- Performance incentive: $300 to $550 per kW, based on your battery's average seasonal contribution, for 10 years, with higher rates for low-income and underserved customers.
- Active dispatch only. Expect up to 10 winter events and roughly 30 to 60 summer events per year.
- The old "up to $16,000 upfront" offer ended for new enrollees on April 1, 2026.
Energy Storage Solutions pays Connecticut homeowners two ways: a one-time enrollment incentive based on battery size, and 10 years of annual performance payments for letting the utility draw on the battery during peak events.
What Changed on April 1, 2026
The program replaced its large upfront payment with a smaller enrollment incentive and moved new customers to active dispatch. Many websites, including some utility pages, still show the older "up to $16,000" figure. That number no longer applies to new enrollments.
| Incentive | Before April 1, 2026 | From April 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront or enrollment | Up to $16,000, higher per kWh for low-income and underserved communities | $30 per kWh, or $130 per kWh on grid edge circuits |
| Performance | Passive or active dispatch options | Active dispatch only, $300 to $550 per kW, based on your battery's average seasonal contribution, for 10 years |
What Is a Grid Edge Circuit?
Grid edge circuits rank in the top 10 percent for outages per customer in major storms since July 1, 2012, or in the top 10 percent for the longest major storm outages. Homes on those circuits earn the higher $130 per kWh enrollment incentive. The program publishes circuit maps, and we check your address before you sign.
Example: What One FranklinWH aPower 2 Earns
This example uses the published 2026 rates. Actual pay follows the energy your battery delivers during events, so treat it as an illustration, not a quote.
| Item | Standard circuit | Grid edge circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Battery size | 15 kWh | 15 kWh |
| Enrollment incentive | 15 x $30 = $450 | 15 x $130 = $1,950 |
| Performance pay, assuming 5 kW average delivered during events at $300 per kW | $1,500 per year | $1,500 per year |
| 10-year total | $15,450 | $16,950 |
Low-income and underserved customers earn performance rates up to $550 per kW per year.
Who Is Eligible
- Eversource or United Illuminating electric customers.
- A battery from a program-approved manufacturer. We confirm your model on the approved list.
- Installation by an eligible contractor.
- Agreement to active dispatch during called events.
How Dispatch Events Work
During peak demand, the utility signals your battery to discharge. Expect up to 10 winter events and roughly 30 to 60 summer events per year. The utilities do not call events when a severe storm is forecast, so your battery stays charged for backup when you need it most.
How to Apply
- We design the battery system and confirm your circuit type.
- We submit the Energy Storage Solutions application through the program portal.
- We install the battery and pass the town inspection.
- The utility approves interconnection and enrolls your battery.
- Enrollment and performance payments follow the program schedule.
Pair the Battery With Solar
Solar recharges the battery every sunny day, and batteries bought with solar skip Connecticut sales tax. Under the 2026 law that extends Connecticut's solar programs, solar paired with storage is expected to carry fewer limits after 2028. See our CT solar incentives guide and our home battery page.
This is an estimate, not a quote or a guarantee. Actual prices, savings, production and incentives vary with your home, energy use, utility rates, program rules and final system design. Incentive amounts and program rules are set by the state and utilities and change over time. Confirm current rates before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Connecticut pay for a home battery in 2026?
New enrollees since April 1, 2026 get $30 per kWh, or $130 per kWh on grid edge circuits, plus $300 per kW each year for 10 years for active dispatch, up to $550 for low-income and underserved customers.
Is the $16,000 battery incentive still available in Connecticut?
No. The up to $16,000 upfront incentive ended for new enrollments on April 1, 2026. Some websites still show it.
Will the utility drain my battery before a storm?
The utilities do not call dispatch events when a severe storm is forecast, which keeps your battery ready for backup.
Who runs the Energy Storage Solutions program?
The Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource and United Illuminating run it under rules set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
Sources
- CT Green Bank: Energy Storage Solutions program updates (Feb 2026)
- CT PURA: Energy Storage Solutions Program
- Energize CT: Energy Storage Solutions
- EnergySage: Connecticut solar and battery incentives (Oct 2026)
- Electrek: CT keeps home solar incentive alive through 2035 (May 2026)
Last reviewed October 2026 by Adam H. Cooke, Premier Improvements.
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