With over 15 years installing solar across the Lone Star State, we’ve seen how Texas’ unreliable grid regularly causes problems for homeowners. Grid outages can leave families without power for days, or even weeks in some extreme cases. On top of that, with the need for major new power infrastructure on the horizon, electricity rates are poised to spike even higher, which is bad news for homeowners relying on the grid.
However, we want you to know, you have options to take control of your energy and avoid further rate hikes. Let’s take a look at what’s going on with the Texas grid and how to safeguard your home for the future.
Texas’ Unreliable Grid and ERCOT’s Grid Management
ERCOT manages about 90% of our state’s power flow. Yet, despite being the world’s 5th largest grid, our infrastructure is aging and increasingly unstable. Texas has a higher frequency of electric disturbances and less reliable service than any other state, which means more outages and inconsistencies in your power. Just the other month, forced outages at fossil fuel plants sent ERCOT begging residents to cut usage to avert blackouts. In 2021, a huge portion of the grid collapsed during winter storms, leaving millions freezing without electricity. These aren’t just one-off occurrences, and clearly, business as usual is not cutting it.
To address these vulnerabilities, over $30 billion must be invested into transmission upgrades, reserve margins, and generation additions over the next decade according to ERCOT’s own estimates. You can already see approved rate increases and rider fees creeping onto bills as utilities move to fund grid improvements. But $30 billion is just the start – the true costs to overhaul the system will likely be much higher which will in turn make your power bill sky rocket. That means you can expect more money coming out of your pocket unless you do things the right way!
Texans Solution To ERCOT’s Unreliable Power Grid: Switch to Solar
As your neighborhood solar experts, we know these expensive grid infrastructure projects will inevitably drive your electricity rates even higher. When utilities spend big, they pass their spending impact onto customers through rate hikes so they can recover those capital outlays and maintain profits. But the good news is you have the power to opt out of this broken energy model by switching to solar! By generating your own power and storing surplus solar energy for nighttime use if you add a battery system, you can declare independence from the unreliable Texas grid.
Solar panels and a battery backup power system act like your own personal microgrid, supplying electricity no matter what disruptions or blackouts strike the larger network. You can keep your home powered even when the outdated system fails neighbors. With your own solar power, you’ll lock in lower electricity prices for decades to come instead of being subjected to volatile rate increases. You’ll also have the peace of mind that comes from true energy reliability and resilience.
Getting Started with Solar Is Easy!
So don’t wait around for Texas’ patchwork grid fixes that will cost you a fortune. Contact our team at North Texas Solar to discuss solar and battery options custom-designed to meet your household’s energy needs. We’ll help you break free of dependence on the shaky central grid and avoid the economic impacts of massive power infrastructure spending. Take control of your electricity costs today!
