The Urgent Need for Solar & Battery Backup
The electricity system in California is failing. Because of the devastating wildfires last year (e.g. Tenaja, Hillside, Saddleridge, Getty, Cabrillo, Tick, Kincade, Tucker, Camp, Woolsey), the biggest utilities of the state, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), plan to shut off the power on the windiest days. Because of this decision, millions of California residents can go without electricity for up to several days. So, if you are wondering whether installing a solar system with battery backup and/or generator is worth it, the answer is – there has never been a better time to install solar than now! Watch our video HERE
What is Happening with PG&E and SCE?
Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison are preemptively and temporarily shutting off power for safety reasons in California. This decision has been officially deemed a public safety power shutoff.
Why is This Happening?
PG&E and SCE shut off power if there is a threat of a wildfire, there are high winds, or there is a wildfire in order to reduce the risk of their equipment getting damaged or causing a fire to the surrounding area. The high winds can trigger power line fires and sparking. So, the power is cut as a safety measure.
Where is it Happening?
Many areas in California are being affected by power shutoff. These include Riverside County, Solano Counties, Sonoma, San Mateo, Napa, and more.
Don’t Stay in the Dark, Have a Solid Backup Plan
There is no telling how extreme the weather conditions will be this season and it is not impractical to expect a real risk of your power being shut off up to dozens of times throughout the wildfire season. The effects of power outage can be severe on both homes and businesses. The failure of security systems as well as the loss of refrigerated medicines, oxygen tanks, etc. can be devastating. Apart from this, it also affects commercial customers e.g. restaurant food safety issues, disrupting critical HVAC needs for indoor agriculture cultivation, and more. These are simply too expensive to risk a failure. That’s why having a backup plan is crucial.
Install Solar
Installing a solar system with battery backup and/or generator in your home or commercial property is the best and the most effective action you can take in California right now. Your solar power system will not work whenever it notices a power cut from the utility which is why you have to combine it with battery backup. During the day, the panels will recharge the batteries which will provide you power whenever needed, day or night. Apart from this, you can even connect a backup generator with your battery backup system, which will allow you to have power even on a cloudy day.
A solar system with battery backup and/or generator is a long-term solution as it can allow homeowners and business owners to go off-grid and be completely independent of the power companies – not just in the case of a power outage.
Need Help Designing a Backup System?
If you are interested in having a solar system with battery backup and/or generator designed for your home or business or want to learn more about your options, you can rely on Winston Engineering, LLC. One of our licensed electrical engineers will assess your load requirements and size the system accordingly.
