February 2026

Introducing the Fortress Power PRO App: Commission Systems in Five Minutes

In case you missed it: Fortress Power is rolling out a new installer tool next month that speeds up system setup in the field.

The upcoming Fortress Power PRO App allows installers to bring Envy inverter systems online in under 5 minutes, reducing commissioning time by up to 80 percent. Installers follow a guided workflow that reduces mistakes, requires minimal training, and helps them complete more jobs without adding labor.

For installers working on tight schedules, that time savings adds up fast. Every minute spent commissioning is time your crew is not installing the next one.

Built For Real Installations

The Fortress Power PRO App was designed specifically for installers in the field. Whether you are working solo or running multiple crews, the app simplifies system setup and reduces the learning curve for new technicians.

Key advantages include:

  • Commission single system in under 5 minutes
  • Up to 80 percent faster commissioning
  • Guided workflow reduces mistakes
  • Minimal training required
  • Built for growing installers

The PRO App allows installers to configure, commission, and monitor Fortress Power systems from a single interface. From system setup to diagnostics, installers have the tools they need on site or remotely.

See Every Device in One Place

Installers can access detailed system visibility through the PRO App, including batteries, inverters, solar inputs, and connected accessories. Each device can be monitored individually, making it easier to verify system performance and troubleshoot when needed. This level of visibility helps reduce service visits and keeps systems running reliably.

Be Among the First to Test It

The Fortress Power PRO App officially launches this March, and installers can get early access through the beta program.

This is the final opportunity to test the new commissioning workflow before full release. Limited spots remain.

Solar Battery Storage Cost in 2026: Why It’s More Affordable Than You Think

If you have researched solar battery storage recently, you have probably asked the same question most homeowners do: Is this too expensive?

With the federal 30% residential tax credit no longer available in 2026, it is reasonable to revisit the numbers. But, the reality is that home battery storage can still be a smart and practical investment. When you look beyond incentives and focus on system design, rising utility rates, and long term value, the cost often makes more sense than expected.

What Is a Solar Battery Storage System?

A solar battery storage system stores excess energy produced by your solar panels so you can use it later. That might be at night, during peak rate hours, or when the grid goes down.

Instead of sending all extra energy back to the utility, you keep it for your own use. Modern systems from Fortress Power use lithium iron phosphate battery technology and advanced hybrid inverters to provide safe, scalable energy storage for residential applications.

You Do Not Have to Backup the Entire Home

One of the biggest myths about battery storage cost is that you need to power everything in your house to make it worthwhile. Most homeowners prioritize essential loads such as:

  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Internet and communication devices
  • Lighting
  • Medical equipment
  • Key outlets

By backing up what matters most instead of the entire home, the required battery capacity is smaller. A smaller system means a lower upfront investment. Many modular battery platforms also allow you to start with one unit and add more later. This flexibility helps homeowners manage cost while preserving future expansion options.

Battery Technology Has Improved

Battery storage in 2026 is more advanced than it was even a few years ago. Lithium iron phosphate batteries now offer:

  • Up to 8,000+ charge cycles at 80% depth of discharge
  • High round trip efficiency
  • Strong safety performance
  • Long product warranties
  • Lower lifetime cost per kilowatt hour

Fortress Power’s LFP batteries are designed for long term durability, helping homeowners spread their investment across many years of reliable service.

State and Utility Programs Still Support Storage

Although the federal residential tax credit has phased out, many states and utilities continue to offer battery storage programs. Depending on your location, incentives may include:

These programs can reduce effective system cost or provide ongoing bill savings. A qualified installer can help identify what applies in your region.

Rising Electricity Rates Are Changing the Math

Electricity rates continue to increase across much of the country. In many areas, homeowners face:

  • Time of use pricing
  • Higher peak period charges
  • Reduced net metering compensation
  • Increased grid instability during extreme weather

A solar battery storage system allows you to store solar energy during the day and use it when grid power is most expensive. Over time, that control can reduce dependence on high priced utility electricity. Energy storage is no longer just about outages. It is about smarter energy management.

Generators Are Not Always the Lower Cost Option

Fuel generators may appear less expensive upfront, but they come with tradeoffs:

  • Ongoing fuel costs
  • Maintenance requirements
  • Noise
  • Manual startup
  • Emissions

Battery systems provide automatic backup power without fuel dependency. When paired with solar panels, they can recharge during extended outages, offering a cleaner and quieter solution. For many homeowners, reliability and convenience add significant long term value.

Is Solar Battery Storage Worth It in 2026?

If you’re considering home battery storage, Fortress Power offers scalable solutions designed to grow with your energy needs. Build a solution that fits today while preparing for tomorrow.

👉  Find a Fortress Power Installer Near You
👉  Request a Quote to See What Battery Storage Could Look Like for Your Home

Home Battery Storage: Why Homeowners Are Adding Backup Power for Peace of Mind

For many homeowners, adding home battery storage isn’t about powering every appliance in the house or preparing for worst-case scenarios. It’s about peace of mind.

Peace of mind knowing your home can stay comfortable, connected, and protected when the grid doesn’t cooperate. Whether that’s during a winter outage, an unexpected shutdown, or everyday grid instability.

Across the country, more homeowners are choosing home battery backup systems that fit real life. Not extreme setups. Not oversized systems. Just reliable, automatic backup power for the moments that matter most.

Home Battery Storage for Everyday Reliability 

When the power goes out, it’s rarely the biggest appliances that cause the most stress. It’s the everyday disruptions:

  • A refrigerator and freezer full of groceries
  • Wi-Fi cutting out during the workday
  • Phones and devices losing charge
  • Lights going out just as it gets dark

A properly designed residential battery storage system keeps essential loads running automatically. There’s no scrambling for extension cords and no manual startup process. The system detects the outage and transitions seamlessly, helping your home stay functional when it matters most.

How a Home Battery Backup System Works During an Outage

A home battery backup system stores energy from the grid, solar panels, or both. When an outage occurs, the system automatically supplies power to designated circuits in your home. The result is simple: essential appliances and devices stay powered without interruption.

Modern battery systems operate quietly and require minimal maintenance. Unlike traditional generators, there’s no fuel to manage and no engine running outside your home. Once installed, the system is always ready.

A Simple Alternative to Traditional Generators

Backup generators have long been the default solution for outage protection, but they come with tradeoffs:

  • Noise
  • Fuel storage
  • Regular maintenance
  • Manual activation in some cases

Home battery storage offers a quieter, automatic alternative. For homeowners looking for a clean and seamless backup experience, battery storage provides resilience without the extra steps.

Scalable Battery Storage That Grows With Your Home

Another advantage of modern home battery storage systems is flexibility.

Many solutions are designed to scale, allowing homeowners to start by backing up essential circuits and expand capacity later as energy needs change. Lifestyle shifts, added appliances, or pairing with solar — storage capacity can grow alongside them. This flexible approach allows homeowners to invest at their own pace while gaining immediate resilience benefits.

More Than Emergency Backup

Even when the grid is operating normally, home battery storage adds confidence.

It helps reduce the impact of unexpected outages, supports homes paired with solar, and strengthens overall energy resilience. For many families, the value isn’t just during major storms. It’s knowing your home is prepared every day.

Explore Home Battery Storage Solutions

If you’re considering home battery storage, Fortress Power offers scalable solutions designed to support essential power and long-term flexibility.

👉  Find a Fortress Power Installer Near You
👉  Request a Quote to See What Battery Storage Could Look Like for Your Home

Adding battery storage doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right system and support, it can be a simple upgrade that makes a meaningful difference.

Your Customers’ Lead-Acid Batteries Are Failing — Here’s the Better Replacement

A Modern Upgrade Path for Legacy Inverter Systems

For years, lead-acid batteries paired with legacy inverter platforms were the backbone of off-grid and backup power systems. But today, a massive wave of those batteries is reaching end of life — creating a critical replacement moment for system owners and installers alike. Instead of repeating outdated technology cycles, there is a better path forward. Fortress Power’s eBoost scalable energy storage system provides a seamless, high-performance replacement for lead-acid batteries while maintaining compatibility with many of the industry’s most widely deployed inverter platforms.

The Lead-Acid End-of-Life Wave Is Here

Across residential, off-grid, and light commercial installations, lead-acid batteries are failing at scale. Many systems installed 5–10+ years ago are now experiencing:

  • Reduced capacity and runtime
  • Frequent maintenance requirements
  • Voltage instability and performance degradation
  • Increased system downtime and replacement costs

For installers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: customers need battery replacements now and they are open to better technology.

Why Replacing Lead-Acid with Lithium Makes Sense

Lead-acid batteries were once the standard, but lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry has redefined what energy storage can deliver. When replacing lead-acid with eBoost, system owners gain:

  • Higher usable capacity in a smaller footprint
  • Longer cycle life and improved longevity
  • Stable voltage performance across loads
  • No watering, equalizing, or routine maintenance
  • Faster charging and deeper usable discharge

For installers, that translates into fewer service calls, simpler system design, and stronger long-term reliability.

Designed to Work with Legacy Inverter Platforms

Many existing systems were built around inverter brands that defined the early solar and off-grid market. eBoost was designed with these real-world installations in mind. eBoost can be integrated into systems built around:

  • Schneider Electric
  • OutBack Power
  • Magnum Energy
  • Victron Energy

These platforms were once the go-to choice for lead-acid systems, and many are still operating today. eBoost allows installers to modernize battery storage without requiring a full system rip-and-replace, preserving existing infrastructure while delivering a major performance upgrade.

A Smarter Upgrade Path for Existing Systems

Replacing lead-acid batteries often triggers bigger questions from system owners:

  • “Is it time to upgrade?”
  • “Do I need to replace everything?”
  • “Can my inverter still work?”

eBoost provides a clear, installer-friendly answer: Upgrade the batteries. Improve performance. Keep what still works. This approach minimizes disruption while extending system life — a compelling value proposition for customers hesitant to overhaul their entire energy setup.

Built for Installers, Not Just End Users

eBoost was engineered with installer workflows in mind. From physical handling to system integration, it supports faster deployment and cleaner retrofits compared to bulky lead-acid banks. Installers benefit from:

  • Simplified system expansion and scaling
  • Reduced labor time compared to multi-battery lead-acid banks
  • Cleaner electrical layouts and modern battery management
  • A long-term storage solution aligned with today’s performance expectations

As the industry moves forward, continuing to install lead-acid replacements only delays the inevitable upgrade conversation. eBoost helps installers lead that conversation with confidence.

Ready to Replace Lead-Acid with eBoost?

eBoost delivers a modern, reliable, and future-ready replacement for aging lead-acid systems, while maintaining compatibility with many of the inverter platforms that defined the last generation of energy storage.

Learn how Fortress Power’s eBoost can modernize existing systems and help you deliver long-term value to your customers. Explore your options today.