Power Outage Preparedness: How Solar Battery Storage is a Game-Changer
Reduced grid reliability has many Colorado residents turning to batteries. During a power outage battery storage can safeguard your home. Find out how!
Power Outage Preparedness: How Solar Battery Storage is a Game-Changer
- October 10, 2024
If you’ve been experiencing more frequent power outages in Colorado, you’re not alone. Many residents are finding these disruptions increasingly common, and it can be frustrating and inconvenient. This surge in power interruptions is linked to a variety of factors, including the effects of climate change, which bring more extreme temperatures, drier conditions, and severe weather events to our beloved Front Range.
As we adapt to environmental changes, it’s important to rethink our energy infrastructure. While solar power helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, integrating battery storage can enhance our resilience at home. To safeguard your home from a power outage, battery storage can be a real game-changer.
In this article, we’ll examine the causes of the recent power outages and explain how solar battery storage can improve your preparedness and protection against these disruptions.
Power Outage Problems
Planned Outages by Utility Companies
Outages these days don’t just come unexpectedly, they now come planned, as well. Utility companies are facing a growing need for planned outages. These are often necessary to maintain and upgrade the power grid, however they are happening more frequently to protect people against risks related to weather events, such as preventing potential wildfires. These can leave you without power for hours, sometimes even longer. Recently, Xcel planned outages for 55,000 of its customers with high-wind advisory. While these upgrades and precautions are crucial for public safety and for the long-term reliability of the grid, the short-term inconvenience can be a major hassle.
Increased Weather Events
Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable, and extreme weather events are becoming more common as a result of climate change. High winds, heavy snow, severe thunderstorms, and even heat waves can all lead to power outages. Trees falling on power lines, ice buildup, and equipment failures during these events are just a few examples of how weather can disrupt your electricity supply.
High Winds and Snowstorms
Colorado is known for its powerful windstorms and heavy snowfalls. High winds can easily knock down power lines, while snow and ice can weigh them down, causing them to snap. These natural events are increasingly frequent, leading to more disruptions in your power supply, especially during the winter months.
Extreme Heat
On the other end of the spectrum, extreme heat can also cause power outages. High temperatures can strain the electrical grid as more people crank up their air conditioning. When demand outpaces supply, rolling blackouts or brownouts are often implemented to prevent the grid from failing entirely. Unfortunately, this means more frequent and unpredictable power outages for you.
Facing an Inconsistent Grid
All of these factors contribute to an increasingly inconsistent power grid. As demand for electricity continues to rise and weather events become more extreme, the grid struggles to keep up. This inconsistency means that even if you’re not directly affected by a storm or heatwave, you might still experience power loss due to the overall strain on the grid.
The key is to be prepared. Xcel Energy recommends a home emergency kit. Consider adding a solar battery to your preparation list to help keep your lights on during an outage.
Prep for a Power Outage: Battery Storage Can Help
Solar + Tesla Powerwall 3 + SPAN Panel
When faced with an increasing number of power outages, battery solutions can really change the game for your family. For maximum preparedness, the trifecta of solar combined with a Tesla Powerwall 3 battery and SPAN smart electrical panel ensure that you control your power when you need it most.
Solar Panels
By installing solar panels, you can generate your own electricity from the sun, reducing your reliance on the grid. The majority of solar in Colorado, including all Solar Power Pro installations, are grid-tied. This means your solar system is connected to the utility grid. What many people don’t realize is that during a power outage, your solar panels will turn off by default. This is a safety precaution that keeps electricity from entering the power lines while utility workers restore power. Solar alone won’t protect you when the grid goes down. Adding a battery to your solar system allows you to seamlessly stay powered during a blackout.
Tesla Powerwall 3 Battery
A home battery system stores excess electricity produced by your solar panels during the daytime so you can self-consume your energy. Stored energy can then be used when the sun isn’t shining, anytime you’re using more power than your panels are producing, or during a power outage, ensuring that you have a consistent power supply at all times. In fact, your lights won’t even flicker in the event of an outage!
What’s unique about the Tesla Powerwall 3 is its increased capacity (13.5 kWh) when compared to previous models. This latest Tesla solar battery can supply more power with a single unit and is designed to handle large electric loads, like your air conditioner or dryer. This can come in handy when you’re without power. Its modular design can grow with you, allowing you to add more energy as your needs increase. One of our Pros can help find the right battery solution for you.
SPAN Smart Electrical Panel
The SPAN panel is a revolutionary smart electrical panel that allows you to monitor and manage your energy use more efficiently. By working seamlessly with your solar system and Powerwall battery, you can optimize your energy usage by prioritizing essential circuits. Make real-time energy decisions, even when you’re away from home. This can especially come in handy during an outage when every watt of electricity matters. Imagine pulling up the app to easily change what rooms and appliances receive power!
Incentives Make It Easier Than Ever
The good news is that excellent incentives are available for homeowners looking to invest in solar panels, the Tesla Powerwall 3, and the SPAN panel. Federal tax credits, state incentives, and utility rebates can significantly reduce the upfront costs of these systems, making it more affordable to gain energy independence and protect your home from frequent power outages.
Take Control of Your Power Supply
If you’re tired of losing power and dealing with the unpredictability of the grid, it’s time to take control. By investing in solar power, a Tesla Powerwall 3, and a SPAN smart electrical panel, you can ensure that your family is more prepared with a reliable source of electricity, no matter what the weather or the grid throws your way.
Go with a Pro!
Don’t worry about the next power outage, battery solutions can be customized to fit your family’s needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how these systems can work together to provide you with energy independence and peace of mind. With the right setup, you can keep the lights on, no matter what.
