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 power outages that happen all too often in Texas. The best way to tackle this issue? Install solar power coupled with battery storage.
Batteries that store solar power generated by rooftop panels can help keep your heat and lights on, your refrigerator running and your electronic devices from dying. In fact, backup batteries can enable your family to survive a power outage for several days while your non-solar neighbors remain in the dark – or come to your house to get warm!
As Texans know all too well, the state’s power grids aren’t always reliable. But according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar power and battery storage “can play an increasing role in maintaining reliability.” The lab says this power-and-storage combo is among the biggest sources of new capacity to meet peak demand for electricity amid scorching summer temperatures.
The benefits of pairing solar power with battery storage go beyond avoiding a power outage. It means increasing your self-reliance and energy independence.
Energy independence is a term used to describe perhaps the most powerful benefit of solar: steering clear of reliance on an increasingly unreliable power grid.
Another key benefit of rooftop solar? Lower energy costs.
Switching to solar power with battery storage reduces your electric bills. How much? That depends on factors such as:
- How much electricity you use
- How large your solar power system is
- Whether you buy or lease your solar power system (spoiler alert: buying is a better deal financially)
- How much direct sunlight your home receives
- What the size and angle of your roof are
- How much money you’re able to gain from tax credits
- What your power provider charges for electricity
According to EnergySage, the average U.S. homeowner will save about $50,000 on electricity costs over the life of their solar power system.
Aside from a decrease in the cost of electricity, installing a residential solar energy system can add about $15,000 to the value of your home, much like a kitchen renovation can bump up a home’s value.
In addition, moving to a solar-and-battery setup enables you to be kinder to the environment. How? Primarily by contributing to a reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gases. Unlike traditional sources of electricity, like coal-fired power plants, solar and other sources of renewable energy don’t pollute the air or generate greenhouse gases.
Whether you’re aiming to declare your independence from the power grid, cut electric bills, boost the value of your home or improve the environment — or take advantage of all of these benefits — a residential system that supplies and stores solar power can put an end to the headaches caused by power outages. Plus, it can pave the way for many happy energy independent years to come.
Schedule a free no-pressure consultation with Longhorn to get started with solar power and battery storage for your home.