You’re likely aware of Hurricane Beryl and the devastation it caused in the Houston area last month. The slow power restoration efforts by CenterPoint Energy left many without electricity, resulting in tragic losses and significant costs for customers that will linger for generations. Despite hundreds of millions invested by corporations to enhance reliability, the lights still went out. CenterPoint has consistently ranked among the least reliable utility companies in the nation, and other major providers, like Florida Power & Light, are similarly unreliable.
Just weeks later, Hurricane Debby brought severe flooding to North Carolina and the Southeast, underscoring the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
However, there is some positive news that you might not yet have heard about: Babcock Ranch, a community in Florida located about 20 miles from the Gulf Coast, operates entirely on solar power and battery storage. It is recognized across the nation and internationally as Florida’s first hurricane-proof town.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, a nearly Category 5 hurricane that battered the region with record storm surges and sustained winds exceeding 100 miles per hour, Babcock Ranch remained unscathed. While nearby areas like Ft. Myers experienced extensive power outages, Babcock Ranch generated its own electricity and stored it for emergencies, minimizing the risks associated with downed power lines and strained grids during extreme weather.
This scenario demonstrates the promise that solar and storage systems hold for every homeowner. At Freedom Solar, fulfilling this promise is a driving force behind our mission.
In the Houston area alone, demand for solar systems and backup batteries has surged by 500% since Hurricane Beryl. These systems empower people even in the most challenging situations, and we are motivated every day to make this a reality.
Beyond providing safety from blackouts, solar systems help homeowners avoid high energy costs. This is particularly vital during summer months when solar panels harness sunlight to power air conditioning and cool homes. As power prices continue to rise, these savings become increasingly essential. According to Ohm Analytics, electricity rates across the United States have risen by 5% in the past year, and utilities are poised to spend trillions on replacing aging grid infrastructure over the next two decades.
Solar and storage solutions protect individuals from these grid vulnerabilities. They also change the dynamic with utilities like CenterPoint. When solar panels generate more electricity than a home consumes, homeowners can often sell that excess back to the utility, especially during peak summer heat. For instance, one of our Houston customers received over $400 from their utility provider last August — a month characterized by brutal heat.
This same customer retained power throughout the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, while neighbors experienced outages.
It is a harsh reality that extreme weather events will continue to increase, along with rising energy prices. These crises are becoming more frequent, and there is every reason to believe this trend will persist.
The transition to solar and storage is not just a choice; it is a necessity. Embracing this change is the key to not just surviving the future but thriving within it. The energy revolution is underway, and especially in light of recent events, it is an honor to be part of this critical movement.