Texas produces the most electricity of any state. This shocked Texas last February when Winterstorm Uri completely shut down most states’ power grids. Texas’ power producers hadn’t weathered natural gas plants, wind turbines, and other energy-production sites sufficiently to withstand the freezing temperatures. Many of them quit working, resulting in rolling blackouts in certain areas and power outages for many others for several days.
However, Texas’ “big freeze” was not the only widespread blackout that struck the United States. Wildfires, hurricanes or heatwaves can also cause rolling blackouts.
These extreme weather conditions make storage options such as SunPower’s SunVault (TM) storage system attractive to homeowners. Many believe that homes powered by photovoltaic PV (PV) panels are not dependent on the grid and are unaffected by blackouts. While this may be true in some cases, most solar homes and businesses are “grid-tied”, which is when they are partnered with their local utility. The solar panels generate electricity during the day, and the utility supplies electricity at night.
This arrangement significantly reduces or even eliminates electricity costs for homeowners. However, solar homes may experience blackouts. Solar homes may experience blackouts, but they can also use a battery, unlike other homes. This is one reason many states, including California, offer incentives in addition to the federal tax credit (ITC). *
Generators are often used in non-solar homes to maintain power during blackouts. However, generators can lose out to solar batteries of cost, size, and environmental impact.
The SunVault system, unlike a generator, can save you money even if there is no problem with the grid. You can store solar energy throughout the day and then use it at night. It can store any energy that doesn’t fit into your solar battery and then uses it at night.
SunPower’s SunVault storage systems are available in two attractive, sleek boxes: the SunVault battery (TM) and the Hub+(TM). The larger box, the battery, is smaller than a refrigerator. It stores excess energy that is not being used during the day. The smaller box has intelligent software that allows you to control when and how the stored solar energy is used.
SunVault’s storage system reduces the likelihood of blackouts and relieves the grid strain. Solar power is also renewable energy that lowers the number of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. This is what is responsible for the majority of our current extreme weather. To store the same amount of carbon dioxide as all the U.S. solar energy industry’s emissions, it would be necessary to plant 2,000,000 more trees.
Every home is different and requires different storage and solar requirements. Our qualified solar installers can design your SunVault and Equinox storage systems to provide the energy you require when you need it. Our strong dealer network has the knowledge and expertise to optimize your home’s solar system. This network includes Master Installers, an elite group of installers with strong ties to their local communities.