Solar & batteries: A key to energy resilience during winter weather

As winter approaches, North America faces another season of power reliability challenges. Extreme weather events, such as ice storms and snowstorms, can knock out power grids, leaving millions of people without electricity for days or even weeks.

Solar and battery storage systems can provide a critical source of energy during winter weather events. Solar panels generate electricity even on cloudy days, and batteries can store that electricity for use when the grid goes down. This is especially important when temperatures are low and daylight hours are shorter.

Solar and batteries improve energy resilience during winter weather in a few ways:

  • Reduce reliance on natural gas. Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation in many parts of North America. But natural gas pipelines can freeze during extreme cold weather, cutting off the fuel supply to power plants. Solar and battery storage systems reduce reliance on natural gas by providing a reliable source of backup power.
  • Provide continuous power during outages. When the grid goes down, solar and battery storage systems can provide continuous power to homes and businesses. They can keep critical infrastructure up and running, such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and communication networks.
  • Extend the reach of the grid. Solar and battery storage systems can provide power to remote areas that aren’t reached by the traditional grid, improving energy access and resilience in underserved communities.

How solar and batteries work together

Solar panels generate electricity during the day, which can be used to power homes and businesses directly. Any excess electricity can be stored in batteries for use later. When the sun goes down or the grid goes down, batteries can provide backup power.

Solar and battery storage systems can be used to create a microgrid, which is a small, self-contained power system that can operate independently of the grid. Microgrids can be used to provide power to homes, businesses, and communities during emergencies.

Real-life ways that solar & batteries help

There are a number of examples of solar and battery storage systems being used to improve energy resilience during winter weather events. For example:

  • In Texas, a microgrid powered by solar and batteries provided power to a hospital during the February 2021 winter storm.
  • In New York, a solar and battery storage system at a grocery store provided power to the store and its surrounding neighborhood during a power outage.
  • In California, a microgrid powered by solar and batteries is being used to provide power to a community of low-income residents who are often affected by power outages.

Solar and batteries combined with a generator creates a hybrid power source

  • Batteries can store excess electricity generated by solar panels for use later. This can help to bridge the gap between when the sun goes down and when the generator is used to power homes and businesses.
  • With certain system designs, the generator can be used to top off the batteries when they are low. This can help to extend the life of the batteries, reduce the number of times that the generator needs to be used, and cut down on gas consumption.

By combining solar panels, batteries, and a generator, homeowners and businesses can create a hybrid power system that can provide reliable power even during winter weather events.

Solar and battery storage systems can play a critical role in improving energy resilience during winter weather events. By reducing reliance on natural gas, providing continuous power during outages, and extending the reach of the grid, solar and batteries can help to keep people and businesses safe and connected.

Electric vehicles speed up solar return on investment

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to evolve and claim a larger share of the automotive market. Luckily, their rise is in tandem with the increased availability and decreased cost of solar energy generation systems. 

Homeowners and businesses that put solar panels to work for their electric needs see an even bigger return on their solar investment when they drive and charge electric vehicles off their system. 

mtvSolar’s Director of Technology & Design Lydian Miles-Monaghan has been tracking the payback from her EV since October 2022, along with the savings from her property’s solar generation system since 2017.

“I have driven about 7,000 miles in my EV since I got it in October 2022. I’ve used 1,821 kWh for charging, which if I had to pay for it would be $218 or so. But my car has been 100% solar charged and cost me nothing,” she reports.

Seen here, the energy of the sun is directly fueling her car:

The gas version of her Kona gets roughly 32 miles per gallon. At the average cost of $3.30 per gallon, she figures she would have burnt 219 gallons of gas, at a cost of $722.

Getting an EV and charging it on a regular electric grid charger would reduce travel costs to less than a third of the gasoline average, with the added savings of having no oil changes.  In her case, the charging happens off solar-generated electricity, so the power costs nothing extra. 

“The energy of the sun is directly fueling my car,” she notes. “My EV will break-even on the ‘electric premium’ vs regular Kona at around 6 years, then it’s nearly free driving with 4 years of battery warranty left. But EV batteries often go over 200k miles, which is a lot of nearly free miles.”

As for the solar energy system, it has mostly paid for itself already before the EV. Here’s how she breaks it down:

Since 2017:

Not paid utility: $17,100

MD SRECs: $7,302

Tax credits: $11,808

=$36,210 saved in 6 years

Going forward:

Avoided utility cost over next 25 years: ~$90,000

Maryland SRECs ($40 est) : ~$30,000

All assuming MD utility rates do not increase above 0.12c per kWh !

See how the panels and vehicle charging work together in her video: https://youtu.be/KxOoXfgEqrM

With more Federal incentives available to help pay for solar energy upgrades to homes, farms and small businesses, a solar investment now will pay for itself in a shorter time period. The benefits of owning and using renewable energy – the reduction in CO2 emissions and a reliable electric source – keep pace with the financial return and stretch out far beyond the last dollar recouped.  Add an EV to the mix, and ROI drops even further.

Summer heat & storms impact energy planning

Electric companies all over the country are taking stock of their ability to deliver power to customers and key infrastructure through and after severe weather events. Energy resilience — how electric providers can recover from events that disrupt the flow of electricity — is a natioal project and a local priority for our customers.

Summer heat and storms place a predictable strain on electric grids, and one that power companies plan for. Recent heat waves in Texas and across the south have highlighted the extreme energy demands when millions of customers need to cool off, all at the same time.

Potomac Edison, which serves customers in mtvSolar’s service region of western Maryland and West Virginia, says their crews are doing proactive inspections, maintenance and tree clearing to make sure power keeps flowing.

One thing that contributes to preserving the capacity of the power grid is for individual customers to manage their own energy use. Reducing demands for power at home helps the electric company and saves customers money. These steps can be as simple as unplugging appliances that aren’t used continuously and turning a thermostat up a degree or two.

Other tips:

  • Use fans – moving air cools skin faster, resulting in greater comfort on hot days.
  • During sunny weather, close drapes or blinds on windows facing the sun.
  • Use a programmable or smart thermostat to keep temperatures higher when no one is home and reduce the temperature when people are coming home.
  • Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to prevent hot air from sneaking into your home.
  • Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters. Clogged filters force HVAC systems to work harder than necessary.
  • Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours of the day.

Many of our solar customers choose to add battery storage to their solar generation systems to weather power outages when they do happen. Peak solar energy production of summer days can be captured and stored in a home battery system.

When power goes out, the battery system keeps the basics running — well pumps to supply water, refrigerators to keep food from spoiling, alarm and security systems to protect the home and even some home medical devices. These battery systems aren’t noisy and don’t require the fuel that generators do. New technology will soon let electric vehicles (EV) work as an onsite battery that can direct its energy back into the home during outages, too.

Just like major power companies, homeowners and businesses can and should plan how they will stay resilient when unplanned events shut the power off.

A company to grow with — Mike Studholme’s first 10 years with mtvSolar

Mike Studholme’s rising career in the solar industry began, in his words, with one Thanksgiving conversation with his uncle. Mike was going to community college in Northern Virginia for a degree in business administration and his uncle, John Christensen, was working for Mountain View Solar. The company was putting up a windmill at the time, and the two talked over the project.

“Uncle JB” mentioned that Hagerstown Community College (Md.) had a renewable energy program, and Mike’s interest was hooked. John offered for his nephew to live with him, just a short distance from the college, while he completed the program. Mike said he hesitated because he wouldn’t be earning enough to pay his uncle rent. JB proposed a deal — Mike would cover his uncle’s electric bill in lieu of rent. They agreed, and Mike soon learned his first lesson in residential solar.

“He had 40 solar panels on his house. The electric bill was like $5 per month,” Mike recalled, laughing.

While he finished his degree, Mike interned with mtvSolar once a week, and then moved into a full-time internship in 2013, helping the company do whatever needed to be done. His first solar installation was a ground mount. Back at the Berkeley Springs office, he took care of the company’s recycling and entered data in the sales program. That’s where he learned about the tax credits that helped customers afford to solar to their homes and businesses.

In May of 2014, Mike started with the company full-time, taking phone calls, processing return authorizations for equipment replacements, helping with permitting and learning to do lead qualifications. All the while, Mike was helping with solar installations, and working toward one of the company’s first energy certifications – the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

“I took it and passed it the first time,” Mike said of the rigorous testing. “In order to take the test, you have to show your hours and level of involvement and study in the field.”

The certification was just one of the many thresholds Mike crossed on his journey to become mtvSolar’s Senior Solar PV and Battery Consultant. He went on to become the lead for the installation crew, which he led for several years, primarily in residential solar. Then mtvSolar took on remote power services for FAA lights on top of large power transmission structures, and Mike became foreman of that project.

“That’s the cool thing about solar – every day is different,” Mike said. “It felt like I was wearing five hats at a time.”

With so many aspects of the company’s technical work under his belt, Mike asked management if he might have an opportunity to join the sales team. His friends told him he had a talent for pitching projects, and Mike had already been working with the team at home shows, talking about mtvSolar’s capabilities and offerings.

In 2016, Mike stepped into sales at the company. He didn’t leave his other roles entirely, though.

“Some of the early jobs I sold, I also installed,” he said.

Solar installations weren’t so mainstream then, and panels were more expensive than they have become in today’s energy market. In the years since, Mike Studholme has seen access to solar energy equipment open up immensely.

“I think the adoption of solar is going to explode,” he predicts.  “Solar’s one of those things – once you have it, you’re never not going to have solar.”

Mike and Samantha Studholme with their children in front of their solar-powered home in West Virginia.

Mike’s own home solar generation system has grown along with his career and his family. Mike married his wife Samantha in May of 2018. Samantha works for the American Heart Association, and is a “social butterfly” who enjoys music and books, says Mike. The couple have a daughter Mila, and younger son Jack, who turned 10 months old just shy of the Studholme’s fifth wedding anniversary.  The couple celebrated their anniversary at the Nestled Inn in Bluemont – one of Mike’s solar clients.

Every month, Mike is reminded of the value of powering his family home with the sun.

“It helps me feel like I’m making an impact, but silently. I see it every month in the electric bill and in how many carbon pounds I’ve offset,” he said. “It’s just a great investment.”

Mike’s own deep knowledge of solar – through every step of the process – continues to grow as he enters his second decade with mtvSolar.

“It’s been such an awesome ride. Mike and Kelly have always been supportive of me growing in the company,” he said.

Over the years, Mike Studholme has come to understand what his customers are looking for, and what they value in going solar.

“The sentiment of taking ownership of your power needs instead of renting it monthly from the utility resonates well with people,” he said. Fixing or lowering a monthly electricity expense over many decades just adds up.

“People are adding a tangible asset at the same time they’re making a global impact on our carbon footprint,” Mike explained. “It’s an investment that people never regret making.”

Beware of fast & free solar schemes

Adding a solar generation system to your home or business can feel like a big step, with a substantial price tag attached. There’s no way around the fact that solar panels and electrical work cost money. The return on investment is calculated in years, not months.

Unfortunately, there are many solar energy “offers” out there which can put unknowing customers in a bad situation — often by claiming to be able to give away free panels or systems. These misleading scenarios can involve solar leases – where the property owner never owns the system – or outright scams.

If you’re considering adding solar to your home or business, it’s worth the time to check out the details of these offers before signing any contract or letting someone alter your property in any way.

At mtvSolar, we hear from many people that they have been approached by someone wanting to sell or “give” them a solar system – often a ready-made setup that can’t be customized — if they’ll only sign the contract TODAY. This is a red flag for any transaction, and we’re glad to hear many customers say they walked away from those “offers.”

In our experience, most customers want to own their own solar equipment. That lets them be more energy independent, adds home value, qualifies them for tax credits and allows them to manage their own energy usage.

Even with a growing pot of grant money and tax credits out there to support renewable energy efforts, solar panels aren’t free up front. The panels cost money, connectors and electrical supplies cost money, and the skills of a well-trained crew and electrician cost money.

Our Solar PV Consultants are up front about this fact, and spend time running through the numbers with our customers to see how a system can be financed, and will reduce utility costs over the long run.  mtvSolar customers can be eligible for zero-down loans to finance a solar installation over 10-20 years, or a number of other incentives that can reduce the cost of a system. We know that solar is a good financial choice, because we’ve helped customers cut their power bills and even earn money back through solar credits, where available.

mtvSolar has been designing custom solar energy solutions for residential, agricultural and commercial customers since 2009. We’re not in a rush to sell you a ready-made solar system, because that’s not how we work. Each customer has their own energy goal, and each project is unique. We spend the time to educate customers about their options, to customize a system to their goals, and to install it properly so it functions as it should.

Take your time to learn more about solar. Visit our “Resource Center” section on mtvsolar.com to see Frequently Asked Questions and check out the gallery of our work. When you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you achieve your solar energy dreams.

As Maryland electric rates rise, solar options grow

Maryland electric customers are about to see their residential power bills jump up as part of a planned electric rate increase approved by the state’s utility regulators. Meanwhile, the market for solar energy credits remains strong, making this an optimal time to put solar to work for you and your wallet.

Customers of Potomac Edison will see their costs for Standard Offer Service (SOS) electricity rise on May 31, 2023 from 6.537/kWh to 8.910/kWh – more than a 30% increase. That price will remain in place for just four months. On October 1, 2023, the price for electricity will be 9.22 cents/kWh. Again, that price is just for the short term – through May 31, 2024. The price for SOS electricity from June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 will be set by Potomac Edison in January of 2024, the company says. Those costs reflect what electricity is costing Potomac Edison from its suppliers, the company says.

Maryland electric customers have choices about their power suppliers, from the open market to their own roof.

Solar energy continues to be a growing part of Maryland’s energy portfolio and is a very viable source for residential power needs. Customers can buy into community solar projects, seek out other renewables or install their own solar panels. Right now, there are unprecedented levels of federal grants and tax credits to make residential and commercial solar generation an achievable reality. If you’ve been interested in adding solar energy to your home to offset rising costs for electricity, this clearly is the time to take a step in that direction.

For commercial operations and farms, additional funding for renewable energy projects remains available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of their REAP grants – Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants. Project applications are due by March 31, 2023 for qualifying projects that serve small businesses and farms.

mtvSolar is your experienced, reliable source for guidance on adding solar to a home, business or farm in Maryland and the surrounding states. Explore our website, visit our FAQ page for Frequently Asked Questions about solar and click here to get your free estimate.

Going solar just got a boost with new federal credits & incentives

mtvSolar is excited to learn of new levels of federal support for clean energy projects, adding another layer of incentives for residential and commercial customers to install solar as their power source. These investments in growing the clean energy economy will have special impact around rural coal communities and on sustainable energy projects in low-income communities. Details of these programs were released just last week by the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Department of Energy and the IRS.

mtvSolar has a long track record of building out solar in underserved communities, and working with partners to boost solar in low-income areas.

Danny Chiotos, mtvSolar Director of Product Delivery, said the U.S. government’s new funds for clean energy create “stacked incentives” to offset the costs of solar panels, battery systems, smart electric panels and related electrical work.

Commercial solar projects have access to the widest variety of federal credits, said Danny. Businesses can receive the standard 30% federal tax credit for solar energy project costs, can apply for the USDA and Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants to possibly cover up to 40% of the cost of commercial projects, plus the new location-based incentives that can add 10% additional credits for projects in coal-affected communities, and in low-income communities.

“When you start adding those together, we can be talking about covering nearly all of the costs of a commercial solar energy installation,” said Danny.

Residential solar projects can still receive the 30% federal tax credit for new systems, plus applicable depreciation on a homeowner’s taxes each year. Other credits may be available from individual state tax departments for energy efficiency work, using American-made clean energy components and more.

Customers are encouraged to consult their tax advisors as they work with our PV Consultants to make the most of these new federal incentives to power a business, farm or home with solar.

And it’s worth remembering that all tax credits and financial incentives are added to our customers’ main savings – free electricity generated by their solar panels harnessing the power of the sun.