Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Houston-based solar energy company, said Thursday that it is bringing a solar-plus-storage system that will allow homeowners to store solar energy in batteries for later use to Texas.
Solar energy production ebbs and flows with the sun, which is why many solar panels are connected to the grid — homeowners contribute power to the grid whenever the sun is shining in exchange for credit they can use for power later. What are known as solar-plus-storage systems allows homes with solar panels to store energy during the day and dispense it when needed, reducing dependence on the grid. Sunnova’s residential solar-plus-storage system, SunSafe, debuted in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria caused the longest blackout in U.S. history. The service provides a 25-year performance guarantee.
“In Texas, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by storms and hurricanes, and homeowners across the state want to ensure they’re protecting their families from extended power outages and electricity instability,” said Michael Grasso, chief marketing officer for Sunnova Energy Corporation. “By offering Sunnova SunSafe, homeowners are given that peace of mind knowing that they’ll have reliable energy, day and night.”
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has funded solar-plus-storage systems for utilities, but residential shoppers have been showing increasing interest in solar-plus-storage service as well. Nearly three quarters of customers shopping for solar products say they are interested in energy storage, according to the most recent report by EnergySage, a solar marketplace.
