Get Reliable, Renewable Energy with a Texas Virtual Power Plant

Facing ever more intense spring storms and Texas summers, it’s easy to understand why more Texans are concerned about the reliability of our grid. Fortunately, homeowners can take proven steps to limit their dependence on the grid, while also reducing the increasing costs of utility bills. One way Texans are doing this is through a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Why a VPP? A Texas Virtual Power Plant combines distributed energy resources such as solar panels, battery storage systems and even smart appliances, to create small, reliable local energy networks that function collectively as a single power plant. Available through many utilities [...]

Get Reliable, Renewable Energy with a Texas Virtual Power Plant2025-03-28T13:28:27+00:00

The State of Solar in 2025: New Challenges. New Opportunities.

With a new Administration in Washington, D.C., the future of solar energy can seem uncertain. While there are some efforts underway to reduce access to certain forms of renewables in favor of fossil fuel-based energy, it’s important to ask what this new environment means for homeowners interested in solar energy. First and foremost, it calls for everyone in the solar industry to be smart and steady. If you’re interested in solar for your home, now is the time to learn more about the options for installing a residential solar energy system. The cost savings will long outlast the political winds of [...]

The State of Solar in 2025: New Challenges. New Opportunities.2025-02-13T20:03:04+00:00

Go Solar and Declare Your Grid Independence

When winter storms, summer heat waves or seasonal hurricanes hit the Lone Star State, Texans understandably worry about power outages. Remember the 2021 winter storm that impacted each of Texas’ 254 counties? What’s been called the Texas Power Crisis lasted from February 10 to 27 that year, leaving millions of Texans without electricity. That’s an extreme but relevant example of just how much Texans rely on power grids, most notably the grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). As we march ahead into the new year of 2025, it’s time to think about how you can avoid [...]

Go Solar and Declare Your Grid Independence2025-01-15T23:50:47+00:00

The Tax (and Other Financial) Advantages of Going Solar in Texas

Homeowners should lock in their savings today by taking advantage of solar tax credits and incentives before they disappear Home solar and backup battery systems reduce reliance on power grids, provide energy stability during periods of extreme weather and significantly reduce utility bills, and they also offer substantial tax and other financial incentives. But a changing political climate could have consequences on the future of tax incentives for solar and energy storage systems. There’s no time like the present to ensure that reducing your home’s energy costs also comes with all the financial and tax advantages still offered by federal, state, [...]

The Tax (and Other Financial) Advantages of Going Solar in Texas2024-12-10T22:45:22+00:00

Rooftop solar can ease the burden of rising electric bills

Texas consumers may be getting a bit of a shock on their utility bills. In Houston, CenterPoint’s transmission and distribution charge went up, effective September 1. Other areas of Texas are also seeing rising rates due to increasing population, more demand on the grid, and extreme weather taking its toll on the system. How much is it costing? In Houston, for example, if you use 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the Centerpoint hike has added an estimated average of $14.80 to your monthly bill. For 3,000 kilowatt-hours, the average monthly increase is estimated to be $44.50, or nearly $540 per year. [...]

Rooftop solar can ease the burden of rising electric bills2024-11-15T23:21:09+00:00

Is now a good time to finance solar for your home?

If you’ve been contemplating the purchase of a solar panel system for your home using solar financing, is now a good time to explore your options? In this post, we take a closer look at the Fed’s interest rate cut and how it could affect financing in the booming Texas solar market. Residential solar offers Texans a multitude of benefits. Aside from reducing utility costs, solar can boost the value of your home, keep the lights on during power outages (when paired with battery backup), and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment. Now, with the expected decline in lending interest rates, [...]

Is now a good time to finance solar for your home?2024-10-01T21:50:57+00:00

Four Ways to Protect Your Home Against Solar ‘Bad Actors’

Going solar in Texas is a great investment – saving on electricity bills and reducing your carbon footprint. But it's important to be cautious and informed to avoid scams and make the best decision for your home. The rising incidence of fraud and bankruptcies in solar is well documented. One-star ratings on Solar Reviews have increased more than 1,000% since 2018. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has even gone so far as to issue a consumer advisory about the pitfalls of solar loans and finance schemes. Just last week, SunPower – one of the largest and oldest solar technology companies in [...]

Four Ways to Protect Your Home Against Solar ‘Bad Actors’2024-08-23T04:04:59+00:00

New Braunfels Homeowner Prevents Power Outages and Saves with Solar and Battery Backup

For most people, installing a rooftop solar system might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience – usually, that’s all it takes. Solar energy systems last 25 years or longer and with regular maintenance they’ll often churn out power for another 25. But Robert B of New Braunfels, TX, is now on his fourth solar system, his first from Longhorn Solar. Robert and his wife have moved around a lot, and everywhere they go, their home is powered by the sun. After several years living everywhere from Hawaii to Florida, the couple settled down in beautiful New Braunfels, Texas. Their back porch looks out [...]

New Braunfels Homeowner Prevents Power Outages and Saves with Solar and Battery Backup2024-08-05T03:42:01+00:00

Hurricanes and Solar: Can Battery Backup Power Through the Storm?
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Hurricanes and Solar: Can Battery Backup Power Through the Storm?

At the peak of the Hurricane Beryl power outage, more than 2 million Houston-area residents struggled to get by in the sweltering summer heat without electricity. The delayed restoration of power — still not complete — highlights the advantages of having rooftop solar power paired with battery storage. Those equipped with their own power generation and backup systems were able to weather the hurricane and its aftermath with some degree of normalcy. Hurricane Beryl caused extensive storm damage throughout the Houston area. Photo: Meridith Kohut/NY Times Solar panels aren’t immune to storm damage, of course, but they’re built to [...]

Hurricanes and Solar: Can Battery Backup Power Through the Storm?2024-07-18T01:23:24+00:00

Harnessing Solar Power for Rural Businesses in Texas

Rural communities and agricultural industries in Texas are at the forefront of an energy revolution. Two pivotal factors are driving this change: the lower cost of installing renewable energy and the expanded Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The ability to greatly reduce energy costs while also promoting environmental stewardship, economic growth and energy independence across Texas is causing many rural businesses – Hill Country wineries and breweries in particular – to take a new look at going solar. The Rise of Solar Energy for Texas Wineries and Breweries Red Rock Vineyards, Red Rock, Texas In the world of [...]

Harnessing Solar Power for Rural Businesses in Texas2024-07-09T22:25:35+00:00

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