Recently, a severe ice storm swept across Austin and Central Texas, causing widespread power outages that took until this weekend to fully resolve.
As Texas approaches the two-year anniversary of Winter Storm Uri, the lingering effects of that catastrophe are still felt statewide. While the causes of the two events differ—2021 saw large-scale gas infrastructure and power plants freeze, whereas 2023’s outages were primarily caused by ice-laden branches bringing down power lines—the impact on Texans was remarkably similar. Many faced cold nights without electricity, forcing them to seek shelter or endure the discomfort of frigid temperatures.
An article in Texas Monthly, aptly titled “We Texans Are on Our Own When Disasters Hit,” captures the helplessness experienced by many residents during these extreme weather events.
At Freedom Solar, our mission is to enable individuals to live more powerfully, providing them with the tools they need to protect themselves, their families, and their businesses from such crises.
Over the past few days, we’ve received numerous stories from customers who have solar energy systems and storage units installed at home since the 2021 blackouts. These systems proved essential this winter, allowing families to switch to their fully charged home batteries when the power went out in their neighborhoods due to fallen lines.
These batteries kept lights on and heaters running, providing warmth and a place for friends to gather and recharge devices while waiting for power to be restored. This is what “living more powerfully” means: feeling secure and independent from the challenges posed by the traditional power grid and the rising energy costs exacerbated by fuel price volatility and past disasters.
It’s evident that Texas’s electricity system is in need of reform. As I have emphasized previously, the state must rethink its power policies with a focus on everyday Texans. This involves ensuring a reliable electricity supply during peak demand and helping residents manage the increasing costs of their power bills throughout the year.
This recent ice storm, like Winter Storm Uri, underscores the importance of incorporating rooftop solar, energy storage systems, and community-scale projects as part of the solution. These technologies provide a vital way for Texans to weather such storms, and it’s clear that wider access to these systems is essential.