The Distorted System: Big Solar, Tiny Battery

Under NEM 3.0, a large solar array paired with a very small battery can be worse than no system at all.

One of the most damaging system designs in California today is the oversized array with an undersized battery. A 12 kW system may produce huge daytime energy, yet a 10 kWh battery cannot absorb enough of it.

That means excess daytime production gets exported at very low value, while evening use quickly drains the battery and forces the homeowner to buy power back at retail rates.

This design often appears because salespeople want a lower sticker price while keeping annual production numbers attractive. Under NEM 3.0, that shortcut can leave homeowners paying more than they did before going solar.