Two factors — rising utility costs and unreliability — are driving homeowners to pursue ways to mitigate these untenable trends, which are a result of growing energy demand, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and operational incompetence.
Making matters more challenging are four concurrent residential energy-related shifts that require 24/7 reliability:
An aging population relying on critical medical devices
Extended outages during periods of life-threatening temperatures
Remote workers requiring “always on” electricity and connectivity
Households with increasing energy demands, such as electric vehicle charging stations
Homeowners who are familiar with inept local power planning commissions, or who have experienced feckless disaster preparedness and responsiveness, are aggressively adopting backup power storage solutions — think California, Texas, Florida and North Carolina.
Customers of new solar systems are also fueling storage adoption rates:
Currently 28% of new U.S. residential solar installations include energy storage, referred to as solar-plus (Source: SEIA)
National attachment rate of battery storage to new residential solar installations grew from 6% in Q1 2020 to 25% in Q1 2024, with 60% of new solar installations in California (Source: Wood Mackenzie)
By 2032, storage batteries for new solar systems could exceed 50-60%, driven by cost declines, policy incentives, and increasing demand for resilience
Assuredly, the adoption of energy resilience solutions among growing numbers of homeowners will serve as a lead, gateway to “privatization” that is part of a growing movement in the U.S. toward utilizing independent services. These are services traditionally managed by public institutions, such as: utilities (water and power); public safety (fire and police) and other services commonly funded by property tax dollars (education).
We leave you with a reminder of the present, mixed with a taste of the future:
PS: Our previous newsletter can be found here and our archive here.
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Of the 800 homeowners, at least 145 have received approval to start construction on major repairs or replacement of their homes. Several architects and contractors say the permitting process is the quickest they’ve seen, while some fire survivors say they remain frustrated with red tape.
The number of equity-rich mortgages remain historically high in the nation overall. Although equity-rich rates fell in 47 states quarterly, annually, the rates in the majority of states were higher.
As homebuyers continue to grapple with affordability concerns amid record-high home prices, purchasing a fixer-upper might be one option for finding a home at an attainable price.
The Jackery Solar Generator 300 is a portable power station with a 293Wh lithium-ion battery, paired with a 100W SolarSaga solar panel, designed for reliable off-grid power. It features two 300W AC outlets, a 60W USB-C port, a fast-charge USB-A port, a standard USB-A port, and a DC car port, capable of charging up to six devices simultaneously, such as smartphones, laptops, and cameras. Lightweight at 7.1 pounds, it’s ideal for outdoor activities like camping or RV trips, and it recharges in about 2 hours via wall outlet and USB-C or 5.5 hours via solar panel.
The 300 is also appealing as a sustainable, emissions-free backup power solution for power outages, ensuring essential devices stay powered. Its compact, portable design and ability to harness solar energy make it a cost-effective, eco-friendly choice for emergency preparedness or outdoor adventures, especially in regions prone to power disruptions
That's it for this week's newsletter. We hope you enjoy our latest content and find it helpful in your journey to become a resourceful and fulfilled homeowner. Stay tuned for more updates, and reach out to us if you have any questions or suggestions for future content topics!
