The Benefits of Having a Battery Backup for Solar Panels in Central Texas

Central Texas may be known for its blistering hot summers, but it can also experience severe weather conditions such as power outages during winter storms. If you have solar panels installed on your home, having a battery backup system can ensure that you have a reliable source of energy during these outages. At Longhorn Solar, we are happy to offer Tesla Powerwall and the Qcells Q.Home Core if you are interested in a battery backup. Keep reading to learn more about the top benefits of having a battery backup for solar panels in Central Texas. You can also learn more [...]

The Benefits of Having a Battery Backup for Solar Panels in Central Texas2024-01-31T15:44:43+00:00

Generators vs. Home Battery Storage for Winter

Texans are still reeling from the 2021 February freeze, which left 4.5 million Texas homes without power and led to statewide heating, food, and water shortages. In addition to those shortages, burst pipes and other weak infrastructure lead to flooding and extensive property damage, including a massive number of pollutants being released into the atmosphere from the stopping and restarting of the fossil fuel infrastructure. It was a disaster. With summer to our backs and winter not far ahead, the trauma of the crisis is leading Texans to start preparing now for potential outages in the future. Gas Generators for Texas [...]

Generators vs. Home Battery Storage for Winter2024-02-29T20:09:54+00:00

FAQ: Solar Backup Batteries

Solar consumers frequently ask, “Will my solar panels work during a power outage?” But, what they really want to know is if solar will keep their lights on even when the power is down. And, unfortunately, the answer is no — solar alone will not shield your home from experiencing power outages, but a solar backup battery will. What is a Solar Backup Battery? Solar backup batteries, like the QHome Core or the Tesla Powerwall pair with your solar panels to store the excess energy your system produces for later use. Rather than going back into the grid, your surplus energy is [...]

FAQ: Solar Backup Batteries2024-02-29T18:40:54+00:00

The Zero-Energy Movement in Texas and Beyond

The zero-energy, or net-zero, project has been changing the way people build residential and commercial properties for years. Designers, developers, builders, and buyers have been collaborating on shifting the real estate market to buildings with zero energy consumption. Generally, zero-energy buildings (ZEB) rely on renewables as their primary energy source, paired with high-efficiency features like windows and insulation, to maximize their energy consumption. Texas Zero-Energy Movement Texas, a leading solar state, is no stranger to renewables. You may even remember in 2015 when Georgetown, Texas aimed to power itself with 100% renewables. Unfortunately, the small city’s ambitions were not totally realized. Nevertheless, the attempt [...]

The Zero-Energy Movement in Texas and Beyond2024-02-29T16:35:04+00:00

4 Reasons Why Texas is a Top Solar State

Texas is number one in a lot of things, like barbecue, rodeos, and friendliness. But Texas is also one of the nation’s top solar states, meaning there’re many homes in Texas producing a lot of clean energy. Precisely, 1,957,307 Texas homes were producing 17,247 megawatts of power in 2022. And, while Texas isn’t number one in solar, it is number two and poised to cinch the spot of leading the nation in solar. If you're deciding to go solar in Texas, here's what to know: Number of Sunny Days in Texas Texas is known for its sun; we get a lot of it. [...]

4 Reasons Why Texas is a Top Solar State2024-02-29T16:34:03+00:00

Take Control of Texas Power Outages with Batteries

Solar consumers enjoy many benefits from their solar system, including lowering their monthly electricity bills by generating their own power. You might even have a negative energy bill if you produce more energy than you consume. But sometimes you can’t always use or produce energy. Blackouts affect solar consumers with grid-tied systems like everyone else. Whether it be out from a storm or for maintenance, grid-tied systems go down with the grid. However, there is a way to keep the lights and internet on while everyone else is in the disconnected dark: batteries. Seasonal Texas Power Outages Extreme winter and summer [...]

Take Control of Texas Power Outages with Batteries2024-02-29T16:33:12+00:00

What Does Energy Independence Mean?

You’ve probably heard this concept tossed around on the news or pasted on headlines, but what does energy independence really mean? And why should you care about it? There are numerous benefits to being energy independent, some less obvious than others. Let’s break down what it is and what it means for you. National Energy Independence On a national scale, energy independence means that a country can create all the energy it needs to power homes, cars, businesses, etc., and does not rely on buying energy from foreign countries. Because the United States consumes more petroleum than it produces, it [...]

What Does Energy Independence Mean?2024-02-29T16:32:22+00:00

Solar Communities: Bringing Solar to the People

Solar communities are the next big thing in solar. For people who live in apartment complexes or otherwise cannot install panels on their roof, building a solar community or joining one is a great option. What’s more, many local energy companies provide resources for communities looking to go solar. What Are Solar Communities? A solar community consists of a shared solar power plant that powers many homes within the area. This set-up allows many interested community members to access a clean and affordable energy source with less initial costs and no need for a system installed on their home. There are [...]

Solar Communities: Bringing Solar to the People2024-03-08T15:57:53+00:00

10 Ways to Save with Solar Energy

1. Save on Utilities It's no secret that installing solar panels can help you save on your monthly electric bills by producing your own energy. In fact, this is probably the most common reason people are interested in solar panels in the first place. On average, you can save around $50 a month on your electric bill and even more in the summer months. How much you will save is variable; it depends on the season, your location, the kind of panels you choose, the placement and tilt of your panels, and your energy consumption. However, Central Texas residents can anticipate [...]

10 Ways to Save with Solar Energy2024-03-08T15:56:51+00:00

How to Get Your Home Solar Ready for Summer

Get your home ready for summer by harnessing the abundant Texas sun. With over 220 sunny days on average, particularly during the spring and summer months, now is the ideal time to equip your home with solar panels. Discover how to maximize the energy of the sun and power your home sustainably and lower your energy bill. Deciding on Solar There are more factors to consider in deciding if solar is right for you. To start, you can try our solar calculator to get an estimate of your home’s energy consumption, the appropriate number of panels, and an estimate of the [...]

How to Get Your Home Solar Ready for Summer2024-03-08T15:55:30+00:00

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